Mono in VCF is a band from Tacoma, though they don’t always act or sound like it. 

Mono in VCF is an indie band, though — once again — they rarely sound or act like one. 

In fact, Mono in VCF is many things — a mishmash of sounds, old school recording techniques and aesthetics — though succinctly describing the band is nearly impossible.

 

The only certainty, it seems, when it comes to Mono in VCF is this: the band is good. Real good. 

Saturday, Oct. 18, as part of the monthly Lava Show at Bob’s Java Jive — a partnership between the Weekly Volcano and the Jive to put on one kick-ass rock show a month and invite everyone and their mother down to the big coffee pot on South Tacoma Way to get drunk and fall down with us (Lava — get it?) — Mono in VCF will take the stage and put that aforementioned goodness on full display. Aided by an incredible lineup that includes Library Science, the Story of Light and Dark and DJ Sammy Swell, this month’s Lava Show should make for one of the weekend’s best bets.

Where to start …

While Mono in VCF — for a band with such immense talent — keeps a remarkably low profile, I last saw the sonic blast-from-the-past group a few months ago as part of the Bumbershoot festival in Seattle. With help from, perhaps, a near-perfect backdrop for bassist Jordan Luckman, guitarist Hunter Lea, singer Kim Miller, drummer Jason Falk and organist/moog man Scott Clarke — the EMP Sky Church, complete with its trippy-ass lights — Mono in VCF were in top form that afternoon. The band’s wall of sound, patterned after Spector’s half century old, influential recording techniques, aligned with the atmospheric and unearthly warmth of synthesizer love, was a sight to be seen and heard. Miller’s stage presence — which has constantly developed and strengthened since she joined the band in place of former lead singer Charles Perales — was jaw-dropping, and her soulful vocals rounded out an already impressive package. 

It was quite a performance, and par for the course with Mono in VCF.

A high point among high points came when the band performed the Lee Hazlewood tune “Some Velvet Morning” with help from Mark Pickerel — longtime drummer for the Screaming Trees and guitarist, singer and leader of Mark Pickerel and his Praying Hands.

“We’re good friends with Mark and we’re all into Hazlewood so it was fun to get together on one of Lee’s tracks,” says Luckman of his band’s Bumbershoot experience this year. 

Mono in VCF is one of the most intriguing, individual and uncompromising bands to reverberate out of Tacoma in a long time. Their full-length, self-titled debut, which was recorded with the help of Terry Jacks — the Vancouver based music semi-legend who made a name for himself in the ’60s with the Poppy Family — has caused underground waves all across the country, and the hype surrounding the band seems to grow exponentially as the band progresses. 

“Terry’s a really smart pop songwriter, and he is a fun guy to be involved with. He’s really underrated, and he needs his catalogue reissued,” says Luckman. “We don’t see him much and he just re-married so he’s pretty busy, but we actually stayed with him in Vancouver a few weeks ago. We would love to move to Vancouver and maybe we’ll have to soon if McCain is elected. I don’t think that will happen though. Although I hear Bush can now cancel the election.”

So what does the future hold for Mono in VCF — except, of course, for an utterly amazing show this weekend at Bob’s Java Jive?

“We’re recording new songs right now and also trying some of the new music live,” says Luckman. “We have a new one Hunter wrote that’s called ‘Gift Horse’ and it’s really f***ing good. It has a feeling of Scott Walker, Delfonics and Philly Soul. We’re trying to prepare our second full-length for next year sometime.”

Mono in VCF will play Bob’s Java Jive in Tacoma on Saturday, Oct. 18 as part of the monthly Lava Show. Even if the Weekly Volcano weren’t sponsoring this bill, it would still be one of the best bets of the week. Trust me. I’ll see you there. 

[Bob’s Java Jive, Mono in VCF, Library Science, the Story of Light and Dark and DJ Sammy Swell, Saturday, Oct. 18, 8 p.m., $5, 2102 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma, 253.475.9843]