The Avenue, Gravity Down, Death in the Park and The Forecast @ Blue Nile
Friday, 20 February 2009 13:01
I may curse myself when I’m old and deaf (and I most certainly will be deaf), but until then I’ll enjoy the ringing in my
ears and all the great bands that made that incessant, annoying and relentless reminder of all that kick ass music possible.
It was a good combination for a pleasantly rowdy Thursday night crowd at the Blue Nile. The dark basement was filled just enough to be cozy, not crowded and the audience nestled in right up to the stage for each act, at certain points mixing with the bands as they wandered through their closest fans.
The show had a CMJ showcase vibe, with bands quickly rotating on and off between 20-25 minute sets. The brief, but blistering short and sweet samples were just enough to keep the audience curious and thirsty for more, rather than gasping for breaks and moments to speak when guitars weren’t ripping and vocals weren’t being sung or screamed.
Local Harrisonburg band, The Avenue opened the showcase with their pop-punk repertoire, reminiscent of Taking Back Sunday or Brand New. The band’s unique energy pushed their irresistibly catchy set forward with help from audience members who chanted more lyrics than I could have deciphered. While lead singer, Sam Patterson often alternated between looks of enjoyment and pain, pacing the stage and swinging his mic cord in casual circles or around his neck, the rest of the band carried their own vibe. Bassist, Ricardo Fearing ran, jumped, threw his guitar up and swung his head down as he marched among the others, commanding most of the attention both during songs and in-between.
“This song is about my ex-girlfriend,” Fearing explained. “She cheated on me.”
While some of the audience shared sympathy, one male obviously had to ask, “Is she single?”
After the laughter, Fearing smiled, “Yea…but she gained 50 pounds.” Another round of laughter followed by a sly grin, “I win,” was all he said.
After the Avenue’s set, the traveling bands took the stage. Galaxy Down, from Fenton, Michigan introduced their unique blend of ska (minus the horns), rock, metal, punk and pop in an organic sounding blend of genres. Within any given song the band would efficiently swing between heavy choruses and experimental breakdowns leaving the audience somewhere between a head bang and that indie, closed-eyed sway.
Following the charm of the Avenue and the excitement of Galaxy Down, Death in the Park came ripping guitars and shouting vocals with lead singer, Andy Jackson swinging his sweaty hair all over those who dared to come close enough to feel it. The set blended nicely into the rest of the showcase and bridged the space between the other bands well. However, it was The Forecast that stole the show.
Speaking from the female perspective, vocalist and bassist, Shannon Burns epitomizes what every wannabe female rockstar (like me) should aspire to. With a skin and bones physique towering just as high as her male counterparts, her impressive skill and dexterity on the bass and commanding vocals made her impossible to ignore.
However, the rest of the band had no problem keeping up with the blonde bombshell. Lead singer, Dustin Addis delivered an equally convincing performance, matching Burn’s intensity as the two delivered an interesting vocal duet over a solid base of instrumentals.
The Forecast is the type of band you see and instantly know they’ll be cool. Then once you hear them, you can’t help but move a little closer, loosen up a little more and get a little louder. They’re the type of band that makes you leave the show wanting more.
Luckily, the band’s newest record is available online now and the group plans to head back to the studio to record their next album in June.
Galaxy Down, Death in the Park and The Forecast are currently on tour traveling from Chicago, Illinois through Montgomery, Alabama. It was a suitable mix for a thirsty Thursday jam and though my ears may still be ringing, at least the bands were worth it.
-Jessica Novak
www.myspace.com/deathinthepark
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