Show Review

Cassino/Northstar lead vocalist Nick Torres is one of the most underrated song writer’s today. There I said it. I have played some Northstar songs for people and his genius has a tendency to get lost in the loud crunchy guitars and booming drums. So when it was announced that Northstar would be breaking up and a while later Cassino surfaced, I became more excited about this group than before. Featuring Torres and former Northstar lead guitarist Tyler Odom, Cassino released three (or four) songs online that were a stark contrast to almost anything Northstar did. I was fortunate enough to catch these guys as they played a couple shows with Triple Crown’s As Tall As Lions and it was one of the best shows that no one went to.

Unfortunately, I missed most of the first band but I got in just as Cassino was setting up. Two acoustic guitars, a keyboard and a mic were all that the guys needed. The guys nonchalantly went through about seven tracks, commenting that they had never played in Columbus before and there extreme love for As Tall As Lions. “They are the best Triple Crown band, and their new CD is amazing.” Torres said. As soon as the first chord was struck and the first note sang, I remembered why I loved these musicians so much. Torres’ voice was smooth and crisp while the guitars flowed well over the light keyboard lines that their merch guy was playing. Cassino has more of a stripped down acoustic feel that allows the listener to be able to hear everything and have nothing get lost in the translation. Playing all four available demos along with two or three other equally stunning tracks, it was a very intimate performance that only about 25 people were there to witness. The guys closed with the more recent demo, “New Jerusalem,” thanked the crowd and calmly walked off stage. I was simply blown away. I am sure I will never get sick of hearing songs by Nick Torres and Tyler Odom.

As tall As Lions was the third and final act of the night. I had the opportunity to sit and talk to Dan, the lead vocalist, and after we spoke I was extremely excited about what I was about to hear. I will be honest; I was not the biggest fan of these guys. Taking nothing away from their musicianship, I just didn’t get into it. But from start to finish, my eyes and ears were glued to the stage. A good chunk of the fans had left after Cassino was finished and only about 15 remained. But they were treated with one of the most spectacular shows I have ever seen. Drawing mostly on their new record, (which comes out August 8th) the guys played 9 tracks which included 5 new songs and 4 from Lafcadio, their Triple Crown debut. The most pleasing part of the set was the fact the new songs were solid and sounded simply jaw dropping. They sounded a lot more complete and full than most of Lafcadio and it is easy to see the musical progression that has occurred in the group. And I mean, Lafcadio was a good disc, but these songs sound much more mature and natural. After the set was over, the remaining few people urged them to play an encore and they got it. “We haven’t played this song in so long.” Dan confessed to the crowd just before the group burst into “Break Blossom.” Everyone seemed thrilled by the song choice.

For the most part, this is one of the best shows I have seen in a long time. My hopes were not that high for the show that night but they were met and exceeded. Do NOT miss these bands if they come to your town. Thank you so much to Dan, Nick and Tyler for being great people.

review by Alex Drumm