Eternal Summers at Public Assembly
So many pop bands these days have that 80s sound. With a name like "Eternal Summers" I think these folks are well aware of how they sound. So since we're all solidly in an 80s mindset here I think I can safely say that Eternal Summers' drummer is rad. Yes. Rad. If you go to one of their shows do enjoy the catchy hooks and pretty melodies, but for the full nostalgic effect just watch the drummer the whole time. Okay, you can watch the wicked guitar playing too, but that's it!
Posted: 10/20/2012 at 5:25pm Tags: CMJ Eternal Summers Public Assembly rad
Dustin Wong at Public Assembly
You know those guys who use a guitar and some delay pedals to build songs out of layers? Somehow they always make it work and I am always amazed. Dustin Wong creates layers which sound very clean, as though they came from a synthesizer. The resulting songs are particularly pretty and closer to electronic music than rock-n-roll. Perhaps that is why at the end where he finally stood up and rocked out with that guitar. I mean, he was a guy on stage with a guitar. Wouldn't you?
Posted: 6/17/2012 at 5:52pm Tags: Dustin Wong Northside Fest Public Assembly
M.A.K.U. SoundSystem at Public Assembly
As you can see from the photos above M.A.K.U. SoundSystem not only have three drummers, but three different types of drummers. That's shorthand for Latin dance music. That certainly is the core of their style. The surprising thing is how widely they manage to wander with that core. One song will be funky, the next more punky, and then another more Caribbean with an emphasis on the horns. That quirky mix also inspired plenty of dancing both times I've seen them.
Posted: 6/16/2012 at 11:21am Tags: M.A.K.U. SoundSystem Northside Fest Public Assembly
Asociale at Public Assembly
Since I haven't posted anything in a week or so, here are another of the bands from last week's big Oi show. Asociale are a strange bunch. They dress like squares and some of the guitar riffs made me think "New Wave", not Punk. The audience didn't care, the music was solid, no complaints.
Posted: Tags: Asociale Oi Public Assembly
The Templars at Public Assembly
This photoset features many pictures of the audience. They were the real story of this show. See, the Templars sounded good but were hardly exciting to watch. They had no stage presence at all really. But... this audience wasn't really paying attention to things like "stage presence". They were more interested in crushing one another (and me!)
Posted: 9/13/2010 at 8:36pm Tags: chaos Oi Public Assembly The Templars
