Osees

San Francisco quintet Thee Oh Sees have gained quite the reputation since their incarnation in the late 90's. This may be due to their ability to merge several sub-genres of rock including psychedelica, garage and alternative. With a style that crosses so many different genres, you can imagine the live show is of equal unpredictability.

The band seems to be constantly switching and changing their instruments and are in constant movement as so to recreate the complex sounds found on their discography. They keep the crowd involved throughout as they interact with them on a personal level and encourage them to sing along to older material from 'Help'. Tonight is all about showcasing the new sounds of 'Floating Coffin' and the crowds seem really responsive possibly due to the way in which these tracks are performed. There is so much energy on stage it is really applaudable and the momentous wall of sound created is staggering considering there are only five musicians.

They don't call them "the best live band in the Bay Area" for nothing.

The first time I saw Thee Oh Sees was at Eagle Tavern, which they transformed into a surging sea of people rocking the @#$! out. Personal space was dissolved as, crushed together in the small space, we became one giant writhing mass, arms and hair flung to the jock-strap-covered rafters, pulsing to the beat of guitar and drum.

What on the album is a short, simple song becomes a drawn-out jam in the best possible way - more dance party than hippie noodling. The band's energy is electric, every muscle strained as if the songs are being held back, only to burst forth joyous and free. It's the closest I've ever come to communion with the spirit in every being. Afterwards, the people share a camaraderie, almost as if we had shared something intimate and private. And it's like this every time.

Thee Oh Sees or Oh Sees never fail to induce a mosh pit frenzy with there high energy, throbbing grooves and beats, and last nights gig at SO36 in Berlin was no exception . I don't think i have ever experienced such intensity from the off at any other gig, unless another Oh Sees gig. The crowd went mental and it wasn't long before the stage diving commenced.
They played a blinding set with favourites including Dead mans gun, Toe cutter - Thumb buster and lots more.
The energy stayed at maximum right til the end even as John Dwyer fought with a dodgy mike stand, having to brace the mike between his teeth for the penultimate track. An outstanding rush of euphoria throughout, well worth me making the trip from Stockholm to Berlin.
Ricky J

Fuck man, geezus. I think they may have imprinted their manic sonic rock assault directly onto my very soul. For more than an hour my entire body was rattled while my face began to melt off and drip onto the floor, or that might have been my gin and ginger that I set down and subsequently knocked over. Dwyer's guitar tones and effects are amazing. They are the essence of why I like live music. The duel drummers drive the journeys into the madness and mayhem of long abstract solos punctuated with super catchy thrashing riffs. The bass player was holding it down as well as into it as anyone else pouring their sweat out on the stage. Great show, next time I think I may bring ear protection.

Osees are the hardest working rock band in the United States right now and it shows. Pass up no opportunity to see them perform, it's self-evident that there is nowhere these guys would rather be than onstage playing shows. I had the chance to see these fellas play Red Rocks in 2021 and John was elated to the point of being flustered trying to thank us for coming out.

They held two hours of outstanding musicianship without a sign of being tired. They could have gone for a third easy if Red Rocks would have let them, I'm sure. Head and shoulders above any other show I have seen. Yes, even better than King Gizzard.

FYF Fest 2013 was the first time my ears were blown out by this amazing band. The pure and raw energy you could feel as soon as they started playing was something you can't experience unless you've seen Thee Oh Sees.
The set list was a varied mix of old and new songs, executed perfectly with variations of lyrics/composition. No talking to the crowd except for the occasional thank you and the final goodnight.It was an hour and a half of face melting, crowd crushing DIY kraut rock.
If you have the chance I suggest you see this band even if you have to travel by land, sea or air.

THEE OH SEES - FORUM 30TH NOV 2015

Not one but two great support bands who could have easily headlined on their own(ICEAGE & TOTAL CONTROL) : CHECK

Now onto the main course...........

Kickass music from start to finish - CHECK

Not one but two drummers, each pounding their kit as though their lives depended on it - CHECK

Huge moshpit throughout the entire set - CHECK

Lots and lots and lots of people crowd-surfing - CHECK

Ridiculously sweaty clothes at the end of the gig - CHECK

I went to see Jay Som, I thought she was amazing. Her performance was great on many levels. Her songs sounded great, she has a cool stage presence and everything was just squared away. Rayana Jay, DUCKWRTH, and Bells Atlas were also excellent. Oh sees were quite good, really rowdy set in which everybody hopped around on stage. Sean Hayes was fine, didn't do much for me, the coathangers were really good. Overall good venue, great show.

I recently read somewhere that John Dwyer of Thee Oh Sees is a force of nature on stage and I really can't describe it any better than that. Thee Oh Sees pummel their tunes into your head and your psyche (get it?). Tim Hellman's mesmerising bass holding together Dwyer's frantic,tripped out guitar riffs. I love this band and live they exceed all expectations.

Been meaning to catch Thee oh sees live for a number of years and finally saw them last night. They were everything I'd hoped they would be and more. Couldn't stop smiling and grooving throughout the show. Amazing to witness raw and creative energy with a diy pink spirit. I wish I was younger so that I could be in the pit. Maybe next time.