Total gig rating: 8/10
I was pretty excited about this gig because last time IAMDYNAMITE came through town, I wasn’t able to go. I actually kind of had a self-pity party because it was one of those weeks and I really just wanted to go to a show. But hey, they came back!
Their opening band was Hooves out of Washington state. Cardigans and beards and whatnot. They had a sort of country-rock feel to their music, which wasn’t overall disappointing despite my aversion to country music. They again were one of those bands who can play well, but just don’t have any innovation in their work. I just got the feeling that I had heard these songs before in a bar/restaurant in Wisconsin or summat. They did some three-part harmony vocals which was cool, but they weren’t the best singers. I got a bit of an impression that the lead singer thought he was really good at singing, which would be kind of unfortunate considering he couldn’t really sing at all… They didn’t suck terribly, but my general impression was that they were a band my dad would enjoy a lot more than I would.
So like I said, IAMDYNAMITE were just recently in Minneapolis in December, so I was surprised when they announced a new date here so soon. It has seemed though that the local radio scene has taken a liking to the band, with the current premiering their video for “Stereo” and Radio K had them in for a live session (which doesn’t seem to be up on their website yet). Although they’ve been given this attention, I feel like their deserving of it. Both their album and live show are jam-packed with energy and excitement. A lot of new bands that strive for a driving rock sound often get themselves lost in sound. I feel like their music is over-worked and there just ends up being too much going on, but this issue is not in IAMDYNAMITE. Their drum-guitar-vocals makeup really allows for a clean and straightforward rock sound. Chris and Chris (yeah, they’re both named Chris) didn’t waste time to warm up the audience, punching out “Where Will We Go”. I was really amazed by they amount of energy they were able to convey and create on stage, especially with only two people. The rest of the show ended up being an extremely fun thrash through catchy rock songs and great melodic compositions. My one very small criticism of the band is that they are perhaps too simplistic at times. I think their lyricism is just average, and tends to lean on hooks and choruses a bit too much for my liking. I don’t think that every band I see has to have extremely deep and meaningful lyrics, but I like something a bit more metaphorical. That being said, the lyricism didn’t hinder their live show. They did no such thing as tapering off songs, but instead went out with long periods of noise. Outside of a concert, the sustained bass and guitar would’ve have been annoying, but in the moment it was really fantastic. It just felt like a huge wall of energy was building behind the band. They ended up playing most of SUPERMEGAFANTASTIC, but I was a bit disappointed about the lack of an encore. I know that they’re a smaller band and put a helluvah lot of energy in their show, but I also know that the audience was not finished with them by any mean. It was a wonderfully fun show, and I will definitely be there next time they come through town.
Hey everyone (wow that sounds lame, anyone got a better intro?), I went to a mini show last night for a local band. Novascotia played at The Beat cafe, opening up for Stephen Jerzak. This was their first show playing their new music and in my opinion, it went really well. They used to be kind of a post-punk-hardcore band (I think), but have since changed their sound to be more of an indie rock. They had the best intro (which involved dancing around in the crowd) and definitely kept up a good variety. They only had a 30 minute time slot, but they used it effectively. They definitely have a lot of talent and potential. CHECK ‘EM OUT.
This kind of crappy post-punk band played after them. They were all cymbals, whiny voices, and distorted guitar. But hey, the singer was cute and that’s all that matters right?!?!
Well, that’s all that I stayed for considering it was a school night and whatnot.
Now, to give y’all a concert schedule update:
2/11 My Brightest Diamond (Also, I need someone to accompany me so if you know me IRL, come with me!)
2/14 Polica
2/18 MuteMath
2/23 Tennis
3/2 SXSW sendoff show
3/7 Iamdynamite
3/13 Grimes w/ Born Gold
3/31 Gardens & Villa
4/16 Cults
4/19 Howler
5/12 St. Vincent
5/15 The Black Keys w/ Arctic Monkeys
8/3-5 Lollapalooza 2012
WHOO!
