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Opening bands are interesting, aren't they? Ever-so-occasionally they are the band you actually came to see. Usually they are just a bonus gift that you get free-with-purchase. And every great once in a while, the opening bands are completely unknown quantities, which means the evening is a crapshoot. You'll either roll your eyes and clap politely (mainly applauding the fact that they are DONE with another song), or you'll discover a new band to love.
Chris and Jess and I went to Lola's last night to catch Bishop Allen, which was weird enough in itself since Lola's is a teeny-tiny bar in Fort Worth that usually gets bands with a little less blog-buzz. We caught the last half of the first band's set -- The Noble Chocolatiers were mainly forgettable. Then the second band started setting up, and they were interesting before they ever started playing. I don't think I can even accurately describe this band (although I think it's worth mentioning that we're STILL arguing about the guitarist's gender).
Darwin Deez took forever setting up and trying to communicate with the sound man. Some angry guy behind us kept yelling at them to just PLAY something, and we were not the only people in the place making "sibilance, sibilance" jokes. The band seemed to be taking it all very seriously, and when they finally finished set-up, they left the stage so that they could make an entrance, complete with a musical intro (I don't actually think it was The Final Countdown, but that's what I'm imagining in my head as I write this). They lined up on stage and did a weird little dance and the crowd laughed but I think there was also a little bit of a "Who do you think you are, anyway?" attitude. Opening bands usually get on and get off, and try not to make a spectacle of themselves. This band was double-dog daring everyone not to like them. I had my doubts, but you have to respect someone who's willing to call a pocket before taking their shot.
AND THEY WERE AWESOME. Goofily, laughably awesome. They took breaks between practically every song to do crazy choreographed dances to 80s music. At one point they threw huge handfuls of dum-dums into the crowd (which is very fun until it puts an eye out). Totally won me over. Apparently they call their sound "happy music for sad people", "white music for black people" and "indie rock with a side of calisthenics". I guess that's about right.
Anyway, all this to say: It was a great night. And I lovelovelove when a band I've never heard of makes me at least as happy as the band I paid to see.
Chris and Jess and I went to Lola's last night to catch Bishop Allen, which was weird enough in itself since Lola's is a teeny-tiny bar in Fort Worth that usually gets bands with a little less blog-buzz. We caught the last half of the first band's set -- The Noble Chocolatiers were mainly forgettable. Then the second band started setting up, and they were interesting before they ever started playing. I don't think I can even accurately describe this band (although I think it's worth mentioning that we're STILL arguing about the guitarist's gender).
Darwin Deez took forever setting up and trying to communicate with the sound man. Some angry guy behind us kept yelling at them to just PLAY something, and we were not the only people in the place making "sibilance, sibilance" jokes. The band seemed to be taking it all very seriously, and when they finally finished set-up, they left the stage so that they could make an entrance, complete with a musical intro (I don't actually think it was The Final Countdown, but that's what I'm imagining in my head as I write this). They lined up on stage and did a weird little dance and the crowd laughed but I think there was also a little bit of a "Who do you think you are, anyway?" attitude. Opening bands usually get on and get off, and try not to make a spectacle of themselves. This band was double-dog daring everyone not to like them. I had my doubts, but you have to respect someone who's willing to call a pocket before taking their shot.
AND THEY WERE AWESOME. Goofily, laughably awesome. They took breaks between practically every song to do crazy choreographed dances to 80s music. At one point they threw huge handfuls of dum-dums into the crowd (which is very fun until it puts an eye out). Totally won me over. Apparently they call their sound "happy music for sad people", "white music for black people" and "indie rock with a side of calisthenics". I guess that's about right.
Anyway, all this to say: It was a great night. And I lovelovelove when a band I've never heard of makes me at least as happy as the band I paid to see.
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