Last Night: The Gomorran Social-Aid and Pleasure Club at the Bottom of the Hill

San Francisco hosted its very own modern-day Vaudeville last night at the Bottom of the Hill, and The Gomorran Social Aid & Pleasure Club definitely took home first-prize. This band obviously knew the recipe for success. Just combine banjo plus trumpet plus trombone plus tuba plus drums plus a whole lotta whooping, some hollering, and then toss in a couple of scantily clad ladies and voila: a night show-goers are sure to remember.

Of course, it's only to be expected that a local band would know exactly what kind of show will get a San Francisco crowd on its feet and dancing. Led by a banjo-wielding Ryan Beebe, the band began last night's show by striding from the back of the club to the stage decked in decorative suits laced with silk and fringe. In true marching-band style (although it should be mentioned that the show itself is more like two parts circus to one part marching band ... with a twist of nudity), they parted the crowd by playing their own grand entrance music. 

​The evening evolved into a series of bursting-at-the-seams performances that had the crowd smiling and eventually getting seriously down on the dance floor by the final rip-roarin number. Last night's show was supposed to be the Pleasure Club's new record release party, although apparently there was some trouble involving a tsunami and the records weren't actually available at the show. However, Beebe promised audience members to personally deliver any record purchased in advance -- he didn't mention whether that delivery would be accompanied by song and dance.

​The Pleasure Club's songs last night ranged from frantic to rockin to downright sexy. Steamy performances by Last Night's Fling All-Star Burlesque accompanied at least four of the band's most music-to-take-your-clothes-off-to songs -- which meant, basically, that any female who went on stage during the show ended up nearly naked. 

The Pleasure Club's antics were a stark contrast to the dramatic, psychedelic instrumentals of their openers, Khi Darag. Another San Francisco local band, Khi Durag easily filled the small venue with its big sound, sending audience members to another time zone with their arsenal of exotic drums and wind instruments (the band very accurately describes their own music on their website as "soundtrack for a 60s macabre Middle East thriller"). Khi Darag didn't feature any slowly undressing ladies, but we think they still managed to put on an impressive show.

Although fire and brimstone may have been more appropriate after all that sin, the evening ended in a highly competitive bootie-shake contest led by the trombonist, Scott Knippelmeir -- who, as it turns out, has some serious talent in that field. We think he should definitely consider going pro.