Concert review: Panic Volcanic at The Grotto

About two years ago I told you about the band Panic Volcanic’s CD release party. I’ve been following these guys — singer Ansley “The Destroyer” Dougherty, drummer Chris Cole, bassist Zach Tucker — ever since, and when I saw they were playing something called Princess Allie’s Mermaid Birthday Party at the Grotto, I headed out there.

Apparently Allie LeBlanc puts on a big birthday party every year with the help of management/booking firm Red Empire. Happy Birthday, Allie.

PV took the stage about 30 minutes late, and other than a new Rickenbacker bass in Tucker’s hands, this was the same band as we saw back in 2013. Where most bands seem to go through endless lineup changes and style changes, Panic Volcanic got it right from the beginning and has simply improved and polished that original concept.

The rhythm section is tight and punishing, and Tucker plays the leads on bass while also playing the bass part. Ansley teaches vocals at School of Rock when she is not on stage making all lesser vocalists look pathetic. She has a voice as big as Texas, and a level of passion on stage that has to be experienced to be believed. This is in-your-face rock ’n’ roll that’s as hard as it gets.

Dougherty tells me they are in the process of recording a new album at Palmyra Studios, and she said they’re taking their time and making sure everything is perfect. I can’t wait to hear the end result, as I have just about worn out my copy of their first CD.

The world needs to know Panic Volcanic.

This story was originally published September 7, 2015 at 11:55 AM with the headline "Concert review: Panic Volcanic at The Grotto."