Live: The Suffers/The Tontons

THE HEIGHTS THEATER — 7/12/18: I know it’s been years in reality, but it seems like yesterday that we were treated to The Suffers and The Tontons on the same night together at the Houston Press Music Awards, and now we’re celebrating The Suffers’ second album, Everything Here, with two nights at The Heights Theater. Well, I just looked up the date of that long-ago HPMA showcase, and it was August 2014; and what a fun night it was!

I’ve seen each of these bands separately a few times since and have appreciated how each of them has progressed over the years. It’s safe to say that these are two of my favorite current Houston bands, for varying reasons. The Suffers I love for their fun, uplifting “big band soul beat” and all-around party vibe. As you may know, they’ve become the wearers of a new music crown in Houston. Houston hasn’t known a band to go this international since Destiny’s Child. They’re even going to Japan later this year. Part of my love of The Suffers is for their music, and part is for the fact that I love them as “Houston Music Ambassadors”. When I see them on TV, I get to say, “Hey — I know them!”

As for The Tontons, I have a special place in my heart for them and their soulful pop music. I’ve seen them at least twenty times over the years, both here in Houston and in Austin at South by Southwest. I’ve seen them in venues as small as The Mink and as large as the Main Stage at Free Press Summer Fest. I love how they have matured as people and as a band.

The soul and love Asli Omar pours into her voice is stronger than ever, and the band play tight, almost instinctively behind her. They were a perfect opening act for the evening. I will admit I was hoping for some newer material from The Tontons, but I could understand why they might want to play more of their tried-and-true material for an important show like this one.

The two album release shows for Everything Here were both sold-out affairs. I was fortunate and honored to be one of the few photographers allowed in the narrow, yet workable, photo pit for the evening. I’m also honored to be reviewing the album release show, though it is tough and a little overwhelming for me to try to put the night into words.

The Suffers are a “wrecking crew” of sorts (hopefully you’re familiar with The Wrecking Crew Los Angeles studio band from the 1960s; if not, please look for the documentary on them). For this special two-night event, they managed to squeeze most of the musicians involved in the recording of Everything Here (which you should immediately go buy at Cactus Records — see here for Jeremy’s review) onto the Heights Theater stage.

Here’s a list of the amazing musicians that were on stage (thanks to their live recording engineer, Josh Appleby, for help with all the names!): of course you had the band’s fearless leader, Kam Franklin, belting out the lead vocals, then other long-time Suffers members Nick Zamora on drums (and keyboard for a few songs), Adam Castaneda on electric bass, Kevin Bernier on guitar, Chapy Luna on percussion, Patrick Kelly on keyboards (and drums for a few songs), Jon Durbin on trumpet, Michael Razo on trombone, and Z’maji Giamouratti on backing vocals. Along with the long-time band members, we were treated to several guest musicians, including Chase Jordan on vibraphone (I wanted him playing up there the whole time!), Will Van Horn on pedal steel guitar, Tito Hernandez on saxophone, Lisa Harris on backing vocals, and a couple more people I have unfortunately failed to find the names for.

My biggest takeaway from the evening, along with hearing their amazing new songs — “You Only Call” and “Sure to Remain” were my faves, along with the now-classic “GWAN” — is that I could feel Kam’s positivity and acceptance envelop the entire evening, especially between songs. She made sure to thank every person in her life who helped make her dreams come true, including ex-lovers and friends who inspired some of her songs.

Kam has an amazing support team of friends and colleagues and took the time to thank them personally. I don’t often become inspired to act by the between banter of singers on a stage, but I want to thank you, Kam, for inspiring me! Now I want to get out and form my own Wrecking Crew! Also, the story about Jazz Lettuce had me cracking up, but you had to be there for that one… END

(Photos: Asli Omar of The Tontons; Kam Franklin of The Suffers. All photos by Jason Smith.)