New York, 17 June 2008 -- The last time Trans Am played the Knitting Factory they did so without their talismanic drummer Sebastian Thomson who had fallen ill.  Tuesday night, however Thomson was in rude health and wearing a gold "dookie" rope!  Thomson's band mates Nathan Means and Phil Manley were equally up to the task for the first of two shows they played at the Knitting Factory that evening. 

The three-piece rock band from Bethesda, Maryland has recorded eight full length albums over their dozen year history and has a sound that can be described as Kraftwerk meets AC/DC.  In addition to guitars, Trans Am make healthy use of vintage keyboards, but not in the gimmicky manner of Crystal Castles.  Twice during Trans Am's set they were joined by Sebastian's saxophonist brother Julian Thomson who peeled off the Futureworld's opening track "1999", and nicely set up the song that followed, "Television Eyes." 

Earlier in the evening Ex-Models shadow outfit Knyfe Hyts slashed their way through their own set in support of their simultaneous debut releases Knyfe Hyts and Sword of the Lord. - Damien Neva

Photos: Damien Neva