You know that idiom about being "Knocked into next week"? Well if you change "Knocked" with "Rocked", that's exactly what happened to me 7 days ago when local rockers Mt St. Helens Vietnam Band slayed the crowd at Neumos.  It was such an impressive show that it's taken me a full week to find a way to put the experience into words. It was exotic, it was mysterious, it was extraordinary. It was everything I always wanted but never knew I needed. Plain and simple, it just might have been the best show of the year.

The night started when I walked to Neumos to some soft arpeggio synth pop courtesy of openers Throw Me the Statue. While grabbing my first drink I noticed that most of the crowd was bobbing their heads up and down to the sexy indie rock coming to the stage, including myself. The band had a friendly juxtaposition to them that was both serious and mirthful at the same time. My only regret of  to this point was that I should have arrived a bit earlier to catch the entire set from these up and comers.

After a brief set change It was time for the headliners, Mt St. Helens Vietnam Band. Since seeing them open for Japandroids a couple years ago, I had always considered myself to be be a causal fan. After this night, I would be a full blown disciple.

With his white button down shirt with his blonder-than-blond hair combed nicely to side, Leader singer Benjamin Verdoes took the stage looking like some sort of Amish/Children-of-the-Corn cult leader; which is to say he looked like his normal self. Benjamin is the kind of lead singer who can command your attention with his fascinating stage presence just as much as he can with his guitar. When he wasn't noodling an intricate guitar lead or strumming fiercely to the chorus, he would be swinging his right arm back and forth, conducting his band, completely absorbed in sound.

The group made their way through personal favorites, "Who's Asking", crowd favorites, "Albatross, Albatross, Albatross",  and new tunes "Warm Body", each time topping the previous tune with even more ferocity. Every now and then there would be some amusing banter while the band tuned their instruments. At point, Benjamin explained that that the drummer, Marshall, needed the crowds encouragement to complete his marketing homework and Benjamin wouldn't receive another email from the teacher.

The music might seem unusual, perhaps even a tad frighting. It can be fast, chaotic and disjointed at times. But for those fans who are willing to take a leap of faith, you might just find yourself a convert to the church of Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band.