(review of a performance at the Grog Shop on 6/7/11 featuring The Dodos, Gauntlet Hair & Shoreway)
You know it's summertime- the hipsters are out, waving their non-chalance around, dressed in American Apparel, Ray Bans, and blank stares. Walking into the Grog Shop this evening, they've got the steps outside populated as pigeons in a big city. They perch on the sidewalk ledges, waiting. For what? A handout? Something to believe in? Some good music?
Let's hope it's the latter because tonight boasts some good vibin' music. The kind of stuff that could crack the stone gaze of a hipster.
Opening tonight we have the band Shoreway. The name was something that lead singer Matt and Kevin (Music Saves) came up with when they were in Columbus to see a band. Kevin threw it out & it stuck. This is a fairly new band...Matt released a 7" in January that was just him, and the line-up tonight has only had two rehearsals and this performance. Influences? Television, Galaxie 500, The Feelies & The Beatles, to name a few.
Tonight's line-up is a 4-piece- two guitars, a bass & set. This is the band's third show.
I'll be honest. I'm initially drawn to pay attention since lead singer, Matt, looks like Paul Banks. However, stating that fangirl bit, they've got big shoes to fill because I'll obviously expect an Interpol sound.
Their sound isn't Interpol, however. I'm picking up a Cali feel with these guitar riffs...or maybe that's just the bassist's island shirt that's got me off guard. I like their sound; it's carefree, it's fun...it moves. However- I cannot understand the vocals. I'm sure this is because of the infancy of the band and its lacking experience performing, so I'm hoping next go-round, they're there, articulately.
Harmonies are good. Their set overall, is good. Not a lot of diversity in sound until the second to last song, which boasts a long guitar interlude that's right on the edge of dreamy. It's dredging up that nostalgic feeling for me...
There it is. I hear just the slightest bit of Interpol in this music. The chord progressions, the slight distortion. This is what Paul Banks would be churning out if he turned his brooding down. (Which, in my humble opinion, just wouldn't be Interpol!)
Did I buy the 7"? Nah. Am I interested to see where these guys go as they continue to grow? YES.
***
Next up we have Gauntlet Hair. This is a four piece, two guitars, a bass & set. The set up is towards the front of the stage. There's lots of pre-recorded stuff, pedal usage and distortion. Soundcheck has my attention...but they've kind of got that dirty hipster thing going on. These cats look like they should be thrashing at a metal show, or at least the bassist does. Seriously, he looks like he was plucked out of a metal band, alien abduction style.
I overhear the guy next to me telling his buddy, "I feel like Journey in 1981..." Yeah, man. I'll back that. This sound is dated. After taking a significantly longer time to soundcheck, the eighties begin to stream from the stage. I think they loosely sound like Painted Palms, but I'm completely checked out on this set. It's something I've heard before. I need something to grab my interest. I mean, come on! Painted Palms at least provided video projections! If you're going to pump out something ethereal, ditch the bullshit.
This sound could also be related to Explosions in the Sky...distantly. Hey, bros, EITS don't have vocals for a reason. Ya dig?
(my apologies for the Haterade...)
***
At 11:10, the crowd starts cheering "DODOS, DODOS" and at 11:11, wish granted. Usually a duo, the band's rounded out to a trio this evening.
This is indie, dream pop goodness. This makes up for the Gauntlet Hair fiasco. This music floats, it wafts. It lifts you out of your mundane existence and begs you to come play. There's a whole world out there if only you'd come outside. It drifts off...into a heavy drumbeat.
It's clever. Dreamy. Ethereal (sans bullshit). It begs you to dance, to move!
Add the Dodos to your summer music, keep them around in the fall and winter when you're feeling blue because with these guys it's impossible to feel bad.
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