Article by: Jason Robey

Alternative rock veterans Big Head Todd & the Monsters, along with the equally seasoned Mike Doughty, rocked a sold-out crowd at the Crescent Ballroom in Phoenix, AZ.

The evening started with Mike Doughty and his cello playing companion, Andrew “Scrap” Livingston walking on the stage and putting on graduation-style robes, which were never explained, yet seemed like they held an interesting story. After a quick introduction, the duo kicked off a short-but-sweet set of fan favorites with “Busting Up a Starbucks,” from his 2005 album Haughty Melodic. 

Though he played guitar (and sang) for most of the set, Doughty switched to a banjo for “Light Will Keep Your Heart Beating in the Future,” from his latest album Stellar Motel, and a small, hand-held synthesizer for “Lazybones,” from his 2013 album of reworked versions of songs recorded by his 90s band, Soul Coughing. Following another Haughty Melodic track, “I Hear the Bells,” he announced the next song would be the last song. Then he asked the audience if they wanted to pretend it’s an encore, yelled “thank you, goodnight!” and turned around for a couple seconds. He turned back facing the crowd and tore into the long-time fan-favorite “27 Jennifers,” from his 2003 EP, Rockity Roll.

After a short break, the stage was set for Big Head Todd & the Monsters, who treated the crowd to nearly two hours of songs spanning the band’s 30 year career, opening with “Kensington Lane,” from 1994’s Strategem.

Vocalist / guitarist Todd Park Mohr showcased his six-string skills through songs like “Broken Hearted Savior,” “Rocksteady” and “Everything About You.” Jeremy Lawton switched between a Hammond B3 organ, slide guitar and keyboard throughout the night. At a couple points, he even managed to play the organ and guitar simultaneously.

Bassist Rob Squires and drummer Brian Nevin kept the rhythm tight, especially on groove-heavy crowd pleasers like “Sister Sweetly,” and “Hey Delilah.” The former also gave Nevin the opportunity to show off his skills with a couple of short solos. 

The night wasn’t without a couple covers, either. Tucked in the middle of their soulful tune, “It’s Alright,” the band broke into a piece of the Marvin Gaye classic, “Sexual Healing.” Later in the evening, as the band was jamming on their song, “Beautiful World,” they moved seamlessly into a rendition of the Steve Miller Band’s “Fly Like an Eagle.”

Following an extended version of “Cashbox,” in which each member had their own moment to shine and show off a bit, the band left the stage momentarily. When they returned a couple minutes later, they begun a two-song encore with “Moose Song,” and then closed the night with one of the band’s biggest hits, “Circle,” from their 1993 platinum album Sister Sweetly.  

Catch Big Head Todd & the Monsters, on tour with Mike Doughty in the U.S. until the end of February.

Setlist:

Kensington Lane

Angela Dangerlove

Broken Hearted Savior

Resignation Superman

Fortune Teller

Caroline

Wipeout Turn

Rocksteady

Beautiful Rain

It’s Alright / Sexual Healing

Hey Delilah

Sister Sweetly

Everything About You

Bittersweet

Beautiful World / Fly Like an Eagle

Cashbox

Moose Song

Circle