Iguana Death Cult/Frankie and the Witch Fingers 7/16/25

Iguana Deathcult Frontman Jeroen Reek

I have a new love. It’s Iguana Death Cult. First, if you plug them into the Google machine, add “band” in the search box so that you don’t break your own heart when you find out what an actual iguana death cult is. Trust me. I also don’t recommend ever searching the internet for “butthole tattoo” since I did that once and have never recovered but you are the master of your own universe. 

I have listened to Iguana Death Cult a few times while working night shift but I was not prepared for the baffling percussions (there were mother fucking  maracas, synthesizers and bongos!) and the ridiculously charismatic lead singer who brought out a trombone and my ska loving heart fell in love at first site. They were still pretty heavy in a super awesome way. I feared this was  going to be another case of the opener stealing the show. 

As an aside, the most impressive time I witnessed this show stealing phenomenon was in the very early 90’s when I saw a new band called Rage Against the Machine open, yes I said open, for the long forgotten House of Pain, get booed for talking about colonization, yet continued to play a kick as fucking show. The joke was of course on the House of Pain fans. I think “Jump Around” was played four consecutive times and the show ended.

Then, to my cousin Vincent and favorite show buddy’s delight, we were presented with Frankie and the Witch Fingers in their toxic neon green glory. This band was playing in SF quite a but last year and I regret not catching them at a smaller venue (where I could bring Rachel, my ride or die DSLR) but alas, I was stuck with my little show buddy point and shoot, the Canon G7X. 

This band was explosive, high energy, jammy, and ridiculously intense. I think the lead singer may be a lunatic, but the nice kind. Jello Biafra was in the crowd. A mosh pit (but the friendly-ish kind) swirled, a guy dove off the stage and was wrestled by security. Vince got sucked into the pit (a first for him!) It was awesome!

I am not sure if I got any good photos. My little Canon G7X surprises me sometimes but I could not move much despite being very close to the stage and I had a bit of FOMO when seeing the photographers with press passes do their thing but, whatever, I was there for the music and hopefully captured a few shots to memorialize the night. 

Update: I got some good pics! I did have to use a little Topaz AI to de noise a few but I am not going to feel to guilty about it. 

-Maja

You can see my pictures for Iguana Death Cult here and Frankie and the Witch Fingers here. Enjoy!

Notes to Self:

Band: Iguana Death Cult/Frankie and the Witch Fingers 7/16/25 @ The Chapel, San Francisco CA

Camera: Canon G7X