Hot Snake surprise

It was announced on Monday afternoon that the Hot Snakes would be playing an impromptu show later that night at John Reis’s Bar Pink in North Park. The four of them, packed onto the little stage, embarked on a high-intensity set that we’ve come to expect from this band, which in my eyes can do no wrong.

Hot Snakes overpowered the bar’s tiny PA as they ran through songs from their three studio albums, Reis’s left hand alternating between a spider wrapping up its prey and a mechanical vise. Froberg maintained a death grip on the neck of his guitar while Wood and Kourkounis mostly stayed in the background.

Reis was obviously having a blast and by the last song of their regular set (“Let It Come”) he jokingly cheered on his bandmates, “Let’s really make this one good.” Joking or not, they delivered on that promise with an energy that was wholly satisfying. Reis, still having too much fun, convinced the rest of the band to soldier on; “Let’s keep playing,” he said with a smile. “Play what?” retorted Froberg. “The rest of the songs!” They then launched into an encore of songs from the first album.

The absence of Hot Snakes has been felt over the past decade in which they have been dormant, so it was a treat to get to see them in such an intimate setting. Some new recordings have been rumored and with the band together in one city, it seems likely that they’re gearing up for more dates. All I can say is, yes, please.

• Concert: Hot Snakes
• Date: January 30
• Venue: Bar Pink
• Seats: G/A