Just a few months ago I had never heard of the Viagra Boys. Then all of a sudden my musician friends started bringing them up and telling me how much they loved them. When those friends tell me about a band it piques my interest because they usually hear something that most people just don’t get. It’s too different to accept right away. The same thing happened in the 90’s with the Dave Matthews Band and Portishead. And I will admit, the first few times I tried to listen to the Viagra Boys I didn’t really get it. But I kept listening. And then all of a sudden I got it. These guys are really good and they do things the way they want to. The songs are hard and catchy and full of hooks and the lyrics are full of dry humor. I started to understand and now I’m a true fan.
Turning the corner onto V street, it was clear that a lot of other people were starting to get what the Viagra Boys were all about. The line snaked down the block and wrapped around the corner. I got my ticket and photo pass from the box office and waited for my friends to get through the line. The room started to fill up and the opening band took the stage. To be honest, I can’t even remember their name.
Once the Viagra Boys took the stage, the room was ready to rock. Opening with Ain’t No Thief, the guys from Sweden wasted no time and got right into their high energy show that is part Jesus Lizards, part NOFX, and part Nick Cave. Lead singer, Sebastian Murphy didn’t last through the first song before taking off his Adidas tracksuit jacket and T-shirt. Baring his fully tattooed torso and letting slip a little plumbers crack, he jumped off stage and engaged with the crowd briefly before lumbering back up onto the stage.
Playing almost all of the songs from their latest album, “Cave World,” they also sprinkled in the songs that longtime fans wanted to hear. And ended the night with Sports, a Star Spangled Banner remix –being in DC and all– Shrimp Shack, Return To Monke, and Worms.
Everything the Viagra Boys do is at least a little tongue-in-cheek. Even the name of their band, their lyrics and the clothes they wear on stage. They poke fun at the alt-right, the gun freaks and the “bros.” They even dip into self-deprecation with songs like Punk Rock Loser. None of this sarcasm and satire ever overshadows the musical ability that this six-piece from Sweden possesses. These guys can downright play.
This band doesn’t take themselves too seriously and could care less what anyone thinks of them. It won’t be long until Viagra Boys are on the same level as the Dave Matthews Band was in the 90’s.
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