Vermillion Lies packed the house whenever they came to town—sometimes they'd even pack the house twice in one night (they'd have an early show at 7pm and late show at 10pm).
Kim Boekbinder and her little sis Zoe write songs that pulsate with a life force that looks like a world concocted by David Lynch—one tune is about twins conjoined by flowing red hair.
Saturated by the influences of old-timey brothel standards, dusty ragtime ballads and traditional country blues, the Boekbinder sisters also bring a timelessness to their music that's comfortingly familiar.
But that's not what made them one of the area's most beloved music acts.
Vermillion Lies didn't play gigs; they put on well-choreographed live theater—part gypsy, part vaudeville—peppered with burlesque dancers.
Sporting fishnet stockings, tilted cabaret hats and dramatic eyeliner, the Pacific Grove natives' unique blend of sexy, silly and socially conscious (they also toured in a bio-diesel van and used recycled packaging printed with vegetable ink) was infectious.
As was their gimmick: "What's in the box?" Zoe and Kim would urge the audience to shout in unison throughout the night.
The "box" was a vintage steamer, aka trunk, that doubled as a musical vessel where they'd pull out typewriters, barbecue grills, wooden puppets and toy lobster claws during the show, and use them, along with conventional instruments like acoustic guitar and piano, as part of the musical arrangements.
By 2008—four years into existence—Vermillion Lies had two stellar full-length records and several extensive tours under their belt, including performances at Portugal’s Theatro Circo de Braga and Moscow’s The Gogol Club.
And their always-sold out Monterey shows were more like large parties.
So the fanbase was bummed when Vermillion Lies broke the news of their disbandment in 2008. It was like a long lost friend had announced that they were going away on a permanent vacation.
Both sisters continued down various musical paths, but they did it separately.
It was as if they never looked back on the lightning in a bottle that was Vermillion Lies.
This ran deeper than a band break-up; Zoe and Kim didn't talk at all for four years.
Even after reconciling a few years ago as sisters, they still weren't ready to create music together until recently.
Vermillion Lies is back!
"I had forgotten how incredible it is to work with someone I am so closely connected to," Kim says. "I can't wait to share our collaborations with you."
So far, the Boekbinder duo has penned three new songs and have high hopes for more.
They also launched a Kickstarter campaign for what they're calling an "expandable album."
For every $3,000 raised, Kim and Zoe will write and record another new Vermillion Lies song, up to 10 songs, which equates to a full-length album.
The box is far from empty.
Vermillion Lies is forever.