In Da Club: Christ Punchers at the Kitty Cat Klub

Following a set by 24 Reasons Why that prompted one male groupie to jump onstage and strip to his Incredible Hulk undies, the Christ Punchers had their work cut out for them. It was Friday night and the punks were playing the Kitty Cat Klub, a venue that had been named one of the best "chill-out bars" in the Twin Cities in that morning's issue of the Star Tribune. There was very little chilling going on when the Christ Punchers opened with a poppy, dual-tromboned number. They soon abandoned any trace of a ska influence for foot-stomping SoCal punk, an appropriate antidote to the blowing snow visible in the window behind the band. Given the cramped setup of the KCK's ill-conceived stage, the Christ Punchers' guitarist stood on the checkered floor with the audience. Meanwhile, the gravelly-voiced lead singer found enough room onstage to assume a stance so wide he could have spent the entire set straddling a bull. Although the group strove for the intensity of the previous band, they were plagued by a faulty guitar amp and had trouble staying together on the faster songs. Regardless, the Hulk seemed to be enjoying himself, though this time he kept his clothes on.