A metric boatload of instrumental talent crammed itself into Schubas on Thursday when Philly spazz-popsters Jukebox The Ghost teamed up with Brooklyn's Elizabeth & The Catapult and Via Audio. RFC naturally came out to document the piano-pounding blowout with photos, available after the jump.
But first, a few observations:
1. Everybody in these bands can play their instruments really, really well. I mean, damn. Where did y'all meet, a hipster mixer at Juilliard? (Actually, Berklee College of Music, in the case of Elizabeth & The Catapult.) Doesn't necessarily mean they're better than other bands; they just play better.
2. Hardcore Jukebox The Ghost fans seem to skew barely post-pubescent. OH in the photo pit: "Oh my God. We're actually seeing Jukebox! Jukebox party at my place after Jukebox! (deep breath.) Oh my God." (Editor's note: As a 26 year old woman, I still act that way about Jukebox. What can I say? That Tommy Siegel makes me swoon-ometer go to 'full swoon'.)
3. Elizabeth & The Catapult stripped down for a duet with guitarist Pete Lalish, and singer Elizabeth Ziman absolutely slayed the harmony lines. Two voices making frantic love and then spooning so close they almost melt into each other before passing out from exhaustion — only I didn't love the song itself, so maybe imagine the voices making love in a position you don't like. Oh well, still hot. Respect for the vocal tightrope walk nonetheless — until now, I thought Fleet Foxes could kill it on the mic.
4. Covers are good, covers are grand, but covers can be a dangerous game. Jukebox The Ghost packed every musician in the house onstage and channeled a wellspring of chops for an impeccable rave-up on The Cure's "Close to Me" towards the end of their set. The song killed, but you run a certain risk when you pick a tune that sorta blows your original material out of the water. Imagine you're spending a fine day out at a Triple-A ball game when someone decides to replace the seventh inning with a clip of the MLB World Series on the JumboTron. You get the idea.
Still, good times for all and the fans seemed to eat up the sold-out gig. Click to the full article and check out the whole photo gallery in larger size.
Review: Royal Bangs at Hideout
Knoxville's own Royal Bangs took a turn in Chicago Sunday night, at the Hideout. Made up of wizzards Sam Stratton, Ryan Schaefer, and Chris Rusk, Royal Bangs are a refreshing treat of synthy energy, pure joy, and serious rock. I know its commonplace now to link a band to earlier day roots, "oh thats so 80s", "thats totally 90's" but dammit when do we get a day in the sun? I think this is SO 2010.
Royal Bangs are part of the Revolution. No more will we suffer through ironic throwback tunes fuled by arrogance and hipster holiness. Maybe we'll just litsen to a band who's fun, and who makes smart music. And yes, we'll shake our stuff to it. I think thats the point! Let-your-hair-down rock infused with good times beats and synths. Oh and some righteous vocals from Ryan Schaefer too.
I have a soft spot for hardworking rock. These boys have been together since 2005 and the result of long tours and practice is a really unique but relateable and enjoyable sound. Their album, Let it Beep was released in 2009. RFC is looking very forward to what's next.
Royal Bangs - My Car Is Haunted
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