
Lazer Kitty Live @ The High Dive
Lazer Kitty, Jupe Jupe and The Science of Deduction
Live @ The High Dive
Jan. 30, 2016
By Frida Ray
The High Dive was packed with a mass of jovial souls on Jan. 30, though it was bittersweet night for many. Vox Mod (Scot Porter), esteemed local DJ and one third of the powerful local band Lazer Kitty, had recently announced via social media that he’s moving to Oregon for a change of pace, making this the last Lazer Kitty for the foreseeable future.
This bill was stacked with more local goodness – the synth pop sounds of Jupe Jupe – and one band that was entirely new to me, The Science of Deduction, a self-described “dark synth-pop / dance throb” project fronted by local comic Cathy Sorbo and backed by an impressive line-up of musicians formerly of projects like Ubu Roi and Ex-Machina.
I’d heard of Sorbo as a comic, but had no idea she possessed such an incredible voice or that she was such a powerful frontwoman. Her band’s set got off to a beautifully nostalgic start, taking me back to the late 80’s with pulsing synths, gorgeous lilting vocals and tight musicianship. Band members were relaxed and reserved, a stark contrast to Sorbo’s fun and engaging stage presence. She owns the stage and loves her music, and it shows. Some of the crowd even dared to dance…way to go Seattle!

Jupe Jupe. Photo by Kimo Muraki.
Jupe Jupe took the stage for a crowd that pushed forward, dropped their winter gear on the dirty High Dive floor, and started dancing less than two minutes into the group’s first song. I never tire of our local denizens of 80’s dreamwave. My Young seamlessly shifts vocal gears over the course of a set that’s reminiscent of many new wave kings, from Dead Or Alive to Depeche Mode and even a hint the Pet Shop Boys. The four piece band’s driving beats, silky guitar voicings and old school synths are perfect Saturday party fuel.
People pushed their way up front and were talking about the band expectantly as Lazer Kitty took the stage late in the evening. The group was off with a shot, plowing through their explosive set with energy and fury. Bassist Jason Jordan maintained his tight, flurried basslines with a relaxed grin for the entirety of the night, a sharp contrast to Kyle’s growling intensity on the keys and an absolutely unhinged Vox Mod on drums. It was a thing of beauty to behold; Lazer Kitty was on fire and the crowd loved every minute of it.
(Lazer Kitty band photo by Richard A Williams.)