Starting their set with my second favorite song, Semi-Automatic then onto songs that should be hits if people had better taste in music, The Runner, Diamonds... the crowd stood there oddly silent as they weren't quite sure if this was the band they had come to see, maybe they expected a band a little less rehearsed than the one on stage, rough around the edges. By the third song they began to realize that this band is road tested, and has long since worked out the kinks.
The middle of the set was primarily filled with songs off the new record Promises and everyone seem to really take to them, finally loosening up and moving in unison, then finally jumping and frolicking. The band was pristine in their playing, giving all the emotion they had to dispense, making sure that no one would leave thinking they were going through the motions. Pier's Hewitt is a powerful drummer in the vain of Jon Bonham. Adam Harris finger picked bass lines are so tasty, and Todd Howes guitar, man if I could rip off any modern guitarist it would be him. Nathan Nicholson's vocals are so sincere and angelic. This band has no faults.
They closed their encore with The Gospel of Goro Adachi, which starts with the subtle pulse of a kick drum, building towards the roaring crescendo that ends the night and leaves everyone giddily applauding.
I waited afterward to chat with them, have them sign my CD and make sure they knew how important I believe they are. Such sweet and humble guys, they were all so gracious and appreciative that anyone had bothered to come out on a Wednesday night to see them. For me it was a no brainer.
In the end I could have stayed there all night, asking them silly, geeky band questions, but I knew they had to move on. They must roll on through onto the next city on their itinerary, taking advantage of being stateside blessing all those unassuming ears who aren't aware just yet of how brilliant this band really is.
