THIS LITTLE UNDERGROUND
With names like Kitty Tsunami, the Chickenhawks, Dumberbunnies and Buffy on the bill (Aug. 1, Will’s Pub), this recent lineup sounds like the just cutest animal parade ever. Instead, the Ghost Drag Records event was a rapid-fire rollout of some decent garage-licked talent headlined by overlapping North Carolina associates Kitty Tsunami and the Chickenhawks.
Asheville garage-pop band Kitty Tsunami are a charming, low-fidelity junction of sweetness and scrap.
Miami’s Buffy are a lively, colorful gang that sounds like a sock hop gone a little bit nuts and a whole lot punk.
And in my first time checking back in on them since they first emerged last summer, local Phil Longo project Dumberbunnies, though still evolving, remain a loose mix of rock & roll balls and underground rock brain.
Taking the night, however, in their Orlando debut were the Chickenhawks. Despite personality and wardrobe that can be a little comedic (unless the leisure-rocker pairing of a sleeveless denim and sandals has become a legit thing while I wasn’t looking), they actually have some pretty serious chops and fire when you get right down to it.
They ball up early rock & roll jump, the golden vintage hues of surf and rockabilly octane and pitch it with a raw punk sling. All together, it’s an undeniable union of old music, new attitude and high camp that equals a lot of ridiculous fun.
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This Little Underground is Orlando Weekly's music column providing perspective, live reviews and news on the city's music scene.

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