Donots @ the Paramount, 3/12
Show Review & Photos by Dagmar

Germany’s Donots, who hit their 20th anniversary next year, made their first visit to Seattle last week. I cannot explain why this super band had not made it to our city earlier, but let’s not complain. They made it here; give thanks to Flogging Molly, who brought the band to the Paramount as openers for many North American dates.

With their prior releases seeming to be very difficult (or expensive) to get here in the States, I’m most familiar with Donots’ most recent albums, 2012’s Wake the Dogs and 2010’s The Long Way Home. I’d recommend purchasing these albums, whose songs featured strongly in last Tuesday’s performance (along with 2008’s Coma Chameleon in the set). I especially loved “You Got It,” “Wake the Dogs” and “Stop the Clocks, They Are Saddening.”

I was really excited to see Donots, and the group put on an exciting and crowd-captivating show. Singer Ingo Knollmann got a large section of the floor into a crazed mosh pit circle, joining them towards the end of the set. Donots are one of those bands you want to cooperate with, and there was no way you can’t be on their side during a show. The band was into the audience, the audience was into them – Donots were energized and totally happy. I was also impressed by how guitarist Guido Knollmann and brother Ingo Knollmann traded off with vocals. Sometimes that just does not work. In this case it was right on.

Unfortunately I had to miss their headlining performance the next day in Seattle. Still, what I experienced at the Paramount thrilled me and showed me a band who’s just getting stronger, and whose music is solid punk rock with every album. I’ll have my interview with singer Ingo Knollmann up on the site very soon!

Donots

Donots

More Photos of Donots @ the Paramount