Fans Go Koo-Koo For Kay Kay's Impromptu Performance

If you glanced at the cover of their newly released vinyl, it wouldn't be a shock if some thought this was some obscure band from the 1960s that fancied the colors red and white.

That is unless you knew that band was Seattle-based Kay Kay and his Weathered Underground, who made an unannounced stop at the Otter House in Fredericksburg on Sunday night at the tail end of their six-week East Coast tour. You can thank Brooke Point High School's Class of 2005 member Josh Davis for this special gift of music. Davis is friends with members of the band and he had asked them to play in Fredericksburg by offering them some free presents, among them being a free place to sleep, which isn't an easy feat for a band that can have anywhere from three to more than 15 members on stage (there were six Sunday).

The three-band concert was originally planned for outdoors at J Brian's, but the pending forecast of heavy rain almost killed the event until the owners of Otter House graciously agreed to host the bands from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The club was greeted by about 65 Kay-Kay-loving patrons who otherwise would have probably stayed home on this lazy, wet Sunday. Local three-piece rockers The Lion The Tiger The Bear and Richmond-based HiI'mBryce opened the evening of music.

Kay Kay and his Weathered Underground don't fit under any one genre, and in fact, they seem to be chiseling out their own brand of poppy, psychedelic vaudeville meets Wilco and Buddy Waters, including all of his chunky guitar solos. The former Gatsby's American Dream duo, Kyle O'Quin (keys) and Kirk Huffman (vocals, guitar), are the founders of Kay Kay. The band has appeared on Last Call with Carson Daly, toured with Portugal, The Man and created a top-10 album in 2008, according to Alternative Press magazine. 

The band's new album, "Introducing Kay Kay and his Weathered Underground," is a musical gift to the ears. The opening tune, "Sweet Strange Dreams," sounds like an outtake from a Beatle's album—that is until you hear that first clip of piano and the comforting din from a violin. On their new album, Kay Kay will sound like rompin' honkey-tonkers for one minute until a tube-driven crackle from a guitar sends them into a jazzy storm of perfection. This record truly is a kitchen sink of genres, a creative masterpiece that is as intoxicating as the album cover is funny.

Sunday's show didn't disappoint the crowd or the band. Huffman twice thanked the crowd for showing up on very short notice, saying it was a pleasant surprise to see that many people come to the show.

Emily Rogers said Sunday was the first time she had ever heard the band and she is now a fan.

"They were great," she said while outside the bar after the show where a group of people hung out to smoke cigarettes and chat with members of the band. "They have a unique sound, but I also think they would sound good to someone who likes the Beatles or even Beck."

Kay Kay's next show is Tuesday at the Drunken Unicorn in Atlanta. The tour ends Aug. 29 with a show at The Echo in Los Angeles.

Author's favorite song: "Paychecks and Pipe Dreams"

Download a free show from the band's June 12 concert at The Triple Door in Seattle.

Kay Kay and his Weathered Underground official website

Kay Kay's Facebook website