Show Review

Perhaps my favorite thing about music is finding new, unknown bands. It makes it even better when you get to attend a show made up of said bands. While the opening band, Nurses, was not at all new to me, they definitely fit into the category of amazing yet unknown bands.

After releasing their debut album Hangin’ Nothin’ But Our Hands Down last year on Sargent House, half of the band split for unknown reasons leaving lead singer Aaron Chapman and guitarist/keyboardist John Bowers to recreate the band’s already unique brand of noise. What came out is an even stranger yet intoxicating blend of melodies which they played a majority of including ‘Technicolor,’ ‘Man At Arms,’ and my personal favorite ‘Lita.’ The band’s new sound is entirely indescribable and not immediately charming but very intriguing and eventually you cannot escape it. The best way to experience the band is live though as the sound is much fuller and captivating.

Next up was a group from the great white north Canada. While removed geographically from the US scene, Plants & Animals brand of catchy indie rock fits right into the current sound following The Arcade Fire, The Decemberists and others. For only three members the band puts on quite a show displaying a lot more energy than what initially comes out from their newest album Parc Avenue. The polished sound displayed on songs like “Good Friend” and “Bye Bye Bye” on the record faded away with the blare of the amps. This ended up a good thing because I got to hear the songs I’ve become familiar with in a new setting which kept things fresh. They also played ‘Faerie Dance’ in which lead singer Warren’s voice is almost reminiscent of Dave Grohl. The only thing I can say was missing from the band’s set was the backing vocals and instruments found on the album. The band did make up for that lack of presence with a great live sound and stage presence which included at one point drummer Matthew Woodley playing the drums with a (fake) pineapple in hand.

I highly suggest checking out both of these bands live and on record as they bring their own unique flavor to each. While Nurses’ sounds is more sparse on record due to the attic recording of their music, their live show displays a robust sound, including lap steel, whereas Plants & Animals lack the full sound of their album but don’t come up short in the energy department balancing out for a fun and entertaining show with no frills and all thrills.

review by Matt Zimmerman