words: Telma Mota (freely translated by Raquel Pinheiro)
photos: Ricardo Silva
King Dude, or TJ Cowgill, a dark, sombre American Lucifer with an ironic sense of humour, accompanied by Gary Gonzalez, a quiet, shy Orthodox Christian park ranger, delivered a fine concert, as expected, at Armazém 22 in Gaia.
A packed venue, filled with friends from the goth dark folk scene (in this case, with country, blues and metal influences), welcomed this duo with the cult-like devotion and reverence they deserve.
King Dude told some of his stories and shared personal experiences with the warm authenticity that characterises him, in acoustic communion with his loyal audience.
He played eleven songs from his usual setlist, opening with Sunset Skies and closing with Silver Crucifix, leaving the remaining eight songs for the audience to choose.
Iconic songs such as Velvet Rope, Vision in Black and Barbara Anne followed, along with a hellish rendition of I Wanna Die at 69 that definitively stole the last breaths from the most unsuspecting hearts, like a rebel leader of the fallen angels.
King Dude embodies human musical intimacy, with all its fragilities and its crooked, visceral and profound corners.
With his deep, excavated baritone voice, he leaves the true Lucifer’s light on stage, a bard of crossroads whose allegiance remains proudly undefined.
It is always a pleasure to see him, hear him and savour every detail of his songs about love, sex, mortality and spirituality. Love you man!
There’s also an accompanying photo gallery on Mondo’s Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/mondobizarremagazine/
