Supercharged from Seattle: The Mad Caps back at the Bunkhouse

Bill Hughes

The Mad Caps’ July 4 Bunkhouse show was the best of their current tour.

Leslie Ventura

Wednesday, July 11, 2012 | 4:49 p.m.

It was a hard pill to swallow, when vocalist/guitarist Ted Rader and drummer Jonathan Realmuto, otherwise known as The Mad Caps, left Las Vegas for Seattle last fall. But if the pair’s one-night return to the Bunkhouse July 4 was any indication, the move might be the best thing to happen to the band.

The show was nothing short of supercharged, with Rader plowing through the set and unveiling four new songs, “Stucco Face,” “Stretch Pants” “Feral” and “She’s Got It,” in the process. Appearing more broodingly rock ’n’ roll than ever, Rader captured the crowd with his signature howls and hip shakes, as if he’d summoned Elvis himself in a drunken game of Ouija (hey, it could happen).

Whatever the logistics, the guys returned feeling more “Vegas” than ever, bringing the type of raw power those who never saw the King can only imagine. Still, after finishing what they concede was the best show of their tour, Rader and Realmuto remain adamant that they’re done with our city. “I love Las Vegas, but we lived here long enough,” Realmuto says, ending hopes of an extended return.

Instead, the guys will work on a new video for “Baby Man” with director Ryen McPherson, with plans to release a new album next year. And if you missed the show, don’t fret too much. You’ll have one more chance to see The Mad Caps before they return to the studio, August 30 at the Cosmopolitan’s Boulevard Pool.