Stars and Scars - Old First Church 3/21/09
Review by Tyler Clark
"I think I should have no other mortal wants, if I could always have plenty of music. It seems to infuse strength into my limbs and ideas into my brain. Life seems to go on without effort, when I am filled with music." - George Eliot
Living a pleasant life and listening to music go hand in hand. Sure, it's nice to experience music through speakers, but it's best to get out and go to shows. You need to be at the place where perfection is checked at the door and everything is done on the first take. Where there's no polish, just real people playing real music. It's where passion lies, where everyone comes together for one night to experience something miraculous and extraordinary.
First up are New York natives The Life I Lead. The opening spot is just as important as the headlining spot and this band prove that. Whether playing for a hundred people or ten, confidence is important, and The Life I Lead have tons of it! As they play through song after song, the rhythms are infectious and incredibly catchy! This band is very passionate about what they do and that certainly comes through in the music. Their songs are never boring - building up, crashing down, and seemingly changing style mid-song. The Life I Lead finish an impressive set, leaving the audience buzzing and wishing for more.
Next up are Last Days of Empire, and I can honestly say I could never have predicated the chaos that was to come. Throughout the opening song, lead singer Michael seems to be holding back something intense. Midway through the song, it is unleashed via a vicious growl with all instruments crashing down into a wall of sound that hits like a wave. Everything that had ever been held back is unleashed upon an unsuspecting audience. Last Days of Empire have one of the most amazing singing to screaming transitions that I have ever heard, often times transitioning mid-sentence. Their style is unpredictable, going from intense hardcore to subtle singing, making them especially fun to watch.
It's time for Rumbo Tumbo, who start with an overwhelmingly fast pace and don't let up for one second! They play a unique brand of pop punk, alternating between two singers, keeping energy levels consistent. They appear to be very much at home here and are constantly in motion. Rumbo Tumbo encourage plenty of audience participation asking for handclaps and singing, reminding everyone that at the end of the day, having fun is all that matters. Everyone in Rumbo Tumbo sincerely cares about what they do and that comes through in their music. It's all too easy to phone it in, but luckily Rumbo Tumbo give it their all and play an awesome, heartfelt set.
Just when I thought the night couldn't get any more intense, Throw the Heat take the stage and tear down the house! From the very first note, the energy level in Old First Church is through the roof! Every member of Throw the Heat flails himself across the stage at a frantic place. This spirit fills the crowd and by the time the first breakdown hits, everyone is moshing and throwing themselves around the room as well. You'd think it would be difficult to keep up such a frantic pace, yet Throw the Heat do it with ease. Both the band and the crowd constantly feed off of each other and by the end of the set, not one person in room is standing still!
A hushed anticipation falls over the audience as Lady Radiator make their way to the stage. Within the first thirty seconds, they seize everyone's attention. Lady Radiator is overflowing with energy as the audience sings along. After each song, I'm amazed at how Lady Radiator use only three instruments to create such a unique and intricate sound. It's refreshing to see a band attempt to be so diverse in a scene over-saturated with cheap imitators. From start to finish, the band couldn't contain themselves, moving from one end of the stage to the other, shining in the spotlight. Five mind-blowing songs later, and it's safe to say Lady Radiator have won over the entire crowd!