By: Andrea Myers
 |
|
One For The Team at the Triple Rock - Photo by David de Young
|
One For The Team seems to blend their sound from a variety of influences, borrowing heavily from Pinkerton-era Weezer and adding Anderson’s poignant, self-doubting lyrics and the band’s refined ability to change the tempo and feel on a dime.
Keyboardist Sam Gerard was entertaining to watch, as he convulsed excitedly around the stage and occasionally hammered out chords on his miniature keyboard. At times, Gerard and guitarist Bryan Sonday would let out shrieks and yells behind the music, like little caffeinated kids that can’t figure out appropriate ways to release out their bursting, insurmountable quantities of energy. The entire band seemed to be channeling a force greater than themselves, and with big grins it looked like they were on the ride of their life. They expect to release their first full-length album in April 2006.
 |
|
The Slats at the Triple Rock (de Young)
|
Moving back an era, the Slats played a delicious early-80’s-inspired set (actually, according to HowWasTheShow photographer David de Young, they embrace the sound of the specific year 1981). The trio puts out a truly unique sound, with Brian Cox and Jon Hansen trading off lead vocal and guitar duties. As they moved through their set, it was easy to stay interested in the band, with Cox singing low, melodic vocals, and then handing off songs to Hansen for higher, half-sung, half-rapped lyrics. Cox cites influences as far reaching as Guided by Voices, the Beatles, and Black Flag, which results in a multi-faceted montage of sounds.
The Slats played many songs off of their most recent offering, Pick it Up, which was released in Spring 2004, along with a handful of songs that appear to be new. One especially raucous song, “The Diabetic Coma,” was angrily shout-rapped by Hansen and featured pointedly political lyrics, crescendoing with lines like “Fuck Wolf Blitzer,” and “Let’s rock to the insulin shock.” A few songs later, they were happy again with the delightfully poppy “TEENA,” a catchy, twinkling gem of a song that could have easily garnished hours of radio airplay 20 years ago.
Completing the backwards time travel was Vicious Vicious, a supergroup that embraces the swooning blues and funk of the 70’s. Erik Appelwick's unique brand of dream-rock is immediately infectious, and it is clear that he has already wooed a sizeable group of followers, as the floor filled up quickly for the VV set.
 |
|
Vicious Vicious w/ dancing fans (de Young)
|
It's no surprise, really, that VV performed a spotless, tightly executed set, seeing as how the band consists entirely of established local musicians. Appelwick plays guitar and sings lead vocals, fellow-Hopeful Heath Henjum plays bass, Adrian Suarez holds it together on drums, Martin Dosh is on keyboards, and the newest adopted member, J.G. Everest, skillfully adds jazz guitar fills.
The VV sound conjures up images of west coast beaches and rolling oceanic waves, a welcome touch of color amidst the wintry grey. In some songs, the band is bouncy and bubbly, while in others they sound laid back with meandering melodies and beats.
VV played many songs off of last year's critic-candy, Don't Look So Surprised, and highlights included the radio-friendly pop tune "It's a Serious Thing," and the emotionally charged, churning rock ballad "Castaways." The audience was also treated to one or two new songs, leaving fans with something to look forward to in the New Year.
Setlists:
One For The Team:
I Promised I’d Grow Up
Easy Out
As Far As It Can Go
Tame the Beast
Prep School Cowboy
Take Cover
A Stickler for Punctuality
The Slats
Hello Operator
You Ruined a Good Idea
The Diabetic Coma
Hate Now
The War I Survived
TEENA
Iron Man
Erase You
Stego
Cobra
Pink & Blue
Another Physical Reaction
Boom
Location Info:
Triple Rock Social Club
Artist Info: One For The Team, The Slats, Vicious Vicious
Share this story:
Article comments powered by Disqus
