Kevin Bronson on September 27th, 2009

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Fans who remember the Deadly Syndrome as a wiry, winsome indie-rock band had another thing coming Saturday night at the El Rey Theatre. Headlining the music night of TarFest, the Los Angeles quartet played a set that suggests they must have been guzzling protein shakes in the months they’ve been working on their sophomore album.

Absent was any hint of the well-intended kitsch (e.g., cardboard cutouts of ghosts) that helped the foursome gain attention a couple of years ago. In its place were tight, focused playing, highlighting the talents of guitarist Will Etling and drummer Jesse Hoy, and the spot-on, yearning vocals of bassist Chris Richard. It was electric, with the new material holding up well (and even outstripping) old favorites such as “Eucalyptus” (it was the first time I’ve seen the band not finish with that number) and “I Hope I Become a Ghost.”

The rest of the art-and-music evening had more hits than misses. In the background during the Deadly Syndrome’s set, there was a 3-D projection of artist/photographer Sterling Andrews painting a mural, but with the band calling so much attention to itself, it might have worked better on a separate screen away from the stage, and played between sets to the DJ’s stylings.

Shoegazers Eskimohunter rocked from behind a veil – a translucent white sheet that partially obscured the band but reflected bright projections from the back of the room. The experiment worked and might have been even better had the band been backlit.

The Polyamorous Affair had a tough assignment – playing dance music in the 9 o’clock slot. Their 1980s-rooted electro is fun and whimsical, and their projections were striking, but the husband-and-wife team of Eddie Chacon and Sissy Sainte-Marie probably needed a little more booze to be flowing to achieve their mission.