TK & the Holy Know-Nothings Bring the Heat to Pacific Northwest with Packed Hometown Performance (SHOW REVIEW/PHOTOS)

The Pacific Northwest experienced something of a heat wave late last week when TK & the Holy Know-Nothings blew through the region on their short “Go North” swing. After a Wednesday night at Seattle’s Tractor Tavern, Taylor Kingman (TK) and his fellow Heatsmen found their way Thursday evening to Olympia, Washington’s Capitol Theater, and completed the journey Friday by planting their flag firmly on the stage of Portland’s Aladdin Theater.

When Tyler Thompson (drums), Jay Cobb Anderson (lead guitar, harmonica), Lewi Longmire (bass, guitar, pedal steel, flugelhorn, mellotron, lap steel), Sydney Nash (keys, bass, slide guitar, cornet), and Kingman get cooking, a gooey, groovy stew bubbles up from a cauldron filled with musical sensibilities, instrumental prowess, and lyrical lionheartedness. As with all great recipes, the secret ingredient is love, and the Know-Nothings lay bare their souls, knowing they will be held tight in the loving arms of their fans.

Seriously, this group of friends has found the sweet spot where they play loose, but are tight as hell at the same time. Whether a slow burner or a high-spirited rocker, each song is treated with a high level of respect. Even the most sensitive of songs can combust into mayhem to emphasize an emotional point. On this swing, the band played lots of songs from their first release, 2019’s Arguably OK, and several from 2021’s The Incredible Heat Machine. Portland was also treated to “Ghosts,” from 2020’s B-sides EP Pickled Heat. There were new favorites in the mix, some of which will likely be on the next album, including “Cash & Carry,” “Love Is A Compromise,” and “Stray Dog.” And even newer songs made their way onto the setlist, such as “Fat Black Raven” and “Just Got Into Town.” There’s no shortage of material as Kingman is a prolific writer.

TK & the Holy Know-Nothings is steadily growing their fanbase as they expand their tours and more folks are exposed to their music and explosive live sets. Those back at home cheer them on from afar and imagine fans-to-be experiencing the energy of a Know-Nothings live performance for the first time. The crowd at the Aladdin held nothing back in welcoming TK & the Holy Know-Nothings back to town. There was even an ovation in the middle of “Tunnel of a Dream” that was so loud and went on for so long that the band had to soak it in and wait for a good 30 seconds before they could finish the song. It was a reception that should ensure, no matter how far and wide the Know-Nothings expand their range of influence, they won’t forget where it all started, and their internal compass will point the way home to the Pacific Northwest, and Portland, Oregon.

Portland’s Outer Orbit with Sarah Clarke provided a soulful opening set at the Olympia show, and Johnny Franco brought his romantic, playful, professional entertainment, as well as his real brother Dom, to the Aladdin to open the hometown festivities.

TK & the Holy Know-Nothings, Aladdin Theater, Portland, Oregon, 2022.10.28

Dig It > Fat Black Raven > Dig It, Serenity Prayer, Love Is A Compromise, Rolling Wheel, Heavy Metal, I Lost My Beer, Alone, Emmanuel, Humble Passenger, Cash & Carry, I Don’t Need Anybody, Tunnel of a Dream/Lonely, Rocking Chair, Frankenstein, Ghosts, Just Got Into Town, Stray Dog, Hard Times

Encore: Rollin’ Machine, Lord, Why’d Ya Make Me?, Railway In The Sky