New venues are always a fun way to liven up my day, and last night was no different. We trooped down to the Studio at Webster Hall on East 11th for day 19 of project 50 in 50 and I had no idea what I was in for because I'd never been there -- and I'd never heard any of the bands. The venue was exactly my kind of place: small, dark, intimate enough to know that I would be able to see the stage from wherever I placed myself, and the kind of place where the bands would have to walk through the crowd to get anywhere. I settled in and waited to find out what we'd see.
Turns out, we were in for a night of well-written pop rock from four talented bands who wrote radio-friendly tunes to get the crowd moving. Up first was The London, a four-piece band from Pittsburgh who were easily my favourite of the night. There weren't very many people at the venue yet, and the crowd was clearly waiting for the "main acts" after them, but I thought they rocked it and played a really solid set nonetheless -- complete with keyboards and harmonicas, which I loved. The London have a knack and fondness for writing slower verses with big, sweeping, hard-hitting choruses that rock harder than you'd expect from the slow build of some songs, and they look like they have fun doing it. My favourite of the night was "Looking Like A Ghost," which bassist Danny called out as being a new song. I think -- in all honesty -- the reason that they were my favourite of the night is because I got to talk to them, however briefly. Their music is great, but what solidified them as a band that I could really get into were the short exchanges I had with Dusty, the lead singer, and Danny -- the bassist. When they were hanging out by the merch table, I went over to talk about being from Pennsylvania, how much I loved the set, and to get a shirt. I can't help myself: when there's a band whose music I love and who seem like genuinely sweet guys, I have to buy merch. I got high-fives all around, numerous decrees of "thanks, you're awesome!" and a pretty stellar shirt (and subsequent free electronic album) for my efforts. I hope I get to see them again sometime soon.
Up next were The London's tour mates: Windsor Drive. Straight out of Houston, TX, Windsor Drive is a band that plays sweepingly romantic-sounding piano rock that sounds big and important and wistful all at once. Musically, they reminded me a lot of Kings of Leon, and singer Kipp Wilde's voice provided a really smooth overlay to the hooky, well-crafted songs. He was quick to praise New York's beautiful women and clarify that he wasn't single, and good at talking to the crowd in between songs even if they were relatively unresponsive. My favourite quote from them was when, like Nick has said, Kipp told us to dance with our lovers during one of their slow jams. No one did, but I could have easily pictured an awkward middle school dance, right at that very moment -- but with better music playing in the background and less than two feet of space between everybody.
There was a pretty long break in between Windsor Drive and Casper Bangs, an indie rock band who took the stage next. Hailing from DC, Casper Bangs provided the crowd with a great set of hipster-perfect indie sounds with just a bit of folk and psychedelic rock thrown in: enough to make it really interesting to watch. Bangs was the frontman of the band, leading us all in rousing rock tunes in his put-together outfit of a colorful button down and tight khaki slacks -- and he then gave us what I think is the most terrifically indie hipster moment I've ever witnessed on stage: he invited us, after their set, to "come eat Wheat Thins and hummus with us. Maybe some whiskey too." Their set was pretty good, so for awhile I considered it.
Last of the already-long night: Your Vegas. Hailing from Leeds in England, I'm pretty sure that they'd travelled farthest that night, but no worry -- they've taken up residence in NYC and are doing at least two weeks of shows all over the city, from last night's at Webster to some acoustic shows in Brooklyn coming up. The most impressive part of this band is, without a doubt, the lead singer. His voice soars and seems entirely effortless; it's gorgeous and huge, and he is clearly very talented. The whole band is -- their big rock songs and interesting stage show got the crowd dancing, and they had a couple of die-hard fans in front calling out song titles that they wanted to hear. During the entire set, the whole band was dancing around on the stage -- the lead singer, in particular -- and knocking their heads and fists into the huge paper lantern lights that had been set up for them. If they keep on the track they're taking right now, they've got the chance to be huge. Here's to hoping it goes well for them!
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Last night The London, Windsor Drive, and Casper Bangs opened for British import Your Vegas at Webster Hall’s Studio A. Bands played in front of the venue’s signature American flag adorning the stage, as patrons casually sipped drinks from the bar. The London started the night off with a set of radio ready pop rock as a sparse crowd gradually grew. On songs like “Looking like a Ghost” and “Young and In Love,” the band displayed a knack for writing big choruses, and singer Dusty Ray Bochek's voice and style reminded me, strangely enough, of a young Bruce Springsteen. Next up was Windsor Drive, a five piece band sporting the rock rarity of an upright piano played by singer Kipp Wilde. The group delivered hook laden tunes, with polished arrangements, as members of other bands mingled with the audience in the intimate venue. “This is our slow jam. Feel free to dance with your lover,” said singer Kipp Wilde. Lovers abstained, but were nonetheless treated to an Oasis-y ballad to end the set. Both The London and Windsor Drive play songs that could easily find their way into the playlist of a Clear Channel radio DJ--this is both a compliment and an insult-- the bands seem technically skilled enough to have a shot at fame and fortune, but also generic enough to toil in obscurity if things don’t go their way.
Casper Bangs, a Washington based musician mixed things up with a set of psychedelically tinged indie rock. The band behind the lanky, shaved-headed Bangs showed some melodic sophistication, and his keyboardist’s novelty switching between synth and xylophone was both aurally pleasant and visually amusing. The band had a rough but effective style on songs like “Skylark” where Bangs' guitarist strummed a frantic, fuzzy guitar solo.
After a seemingly endless sound check, headliners Your Vegas hit the stage illuminated by the blue neon lights of paper lanterns they had set up themselves. Singer Coyle Girelli gave a spirited vocal performance, stomping about the stage, gesticulating wildly, and running fingers through his long hair. Your Vegas employs atmospheric synth tones and skillful songwriting that have earned them comparisons to Coldplay; however, their live show was all their own-- sometimes vulgar, sometimes mesmerizing, entertaining throughout. On “Color of Love” guitarist Mat Steel shot out shrieking, high register tones and keyboardist Mark Heaton vamped in a pointy synth voicing as the crowd watched intently. It had been an unresponsive audience all night, but the group did a commendable job of riling them up, and on “In My Head” they began to come alive. The group went out with a bang climaxing with a wall of ear shattering noise, as bassist Jon Langford head butted a lantern at terminal velocity. If last night's show is any indication, Your Vegas are hungry for success and will go all out to achieve it.
