Rivers, Indiana 9-21-02
well, seems the people living near taco bell don't like the "rock and roll".
I'd say it's interesting that this week the cops showed up because it was too loud. The limitations of last week's PA seem to have given the place a lease on life because there was a brick wall on the sound levels. Oh well, graffiti's is down until they can move inside (darn bees). But, I ended up seeing 1.5 bands before the blue boys got there, so I'm alright.
1.5 bands? you might ask. Well, I got there on time, and they said it'd be around 7:30 or 8:00, so I got some food and came back at 7:45... seems the other band started at 7:30. ah well.
ok, enough of that. How were the band(s)? They were of much more consistent quality than last week. I didn't cringe at anything going on, which is a good sign. The opening band was fairly punk, and they knew what they were tring to accomplish. Their sound was good, their songs were alright. And, similarly to Rivers, this band had a good drummer. I'm not talking the technical schemamagans (I don't know when the hit hats are "properly" used and all that junk). I'm just saying they were both strong points in their bands.
Now for Rivers, Indiana. These guys seem to be local favorites from what I've seen (they play that methodist place at least once a quarter) (postnote: guess I'm imagining things, they played there once. maybe it's just the people I talk to). But, is it deserved?....
No, and Yes.
They've got more flash on stage than comparable songs. That's the first thing I noticed. Their stage presence was slightly overbearing for most of their songs, and thankfully it diminished with their energy levels. Save minor goofs, their last song was arguably their best overall, maybe because the songs were becoming more important than the stage dancing. Now, the hyperactivity wasn't a major pain, though, just a minor quibble I'd associate with an overactive imagination leading them to believe their songs were heavier than they were. Maybe it's rather what they intended them to be.
Don't get me wrong, they weren't "bad". And, as always I'll make note that a live show depends a large portion on the venue, because if you can't heard the guitars very well (case in point), the songs might sound completely different to the audience than the band.
Specifics. The lead vocalist was the first thing to rear it's head. For a vocalist, he was consistent and appropriate. For a solo vocalist, he was passable. When your only instrument is your voice, it's imperative that you show people that you know how to use it completely. This doesn't mean just "hitting the notes" either, it means emoting. He did both of these pretty well, but he just added his parts to the songs, not making them something "greater".
The guitarist(s). Well, either they played a lot of doubles, or I couldn't hear them very well. Rephrased, I know they were low in the mix and not seperated well, but if I had heard them would they have blown me away? I doubt it. They both seemed like they knew what they were doing, and their parts were very well integrated into the songs, but overall they didn't have the effectiveness they they should have had with two people playing the same instrument (standard emocore fair). And the lead riffs were good, but when they got heavy it just kinda felt weak.
The bassist was a good presence. Sure, he was straddling the line the whole show between being "clever" and being "annoying", but I'd say he never fell over to the wrong side. His bass playing was good, and his backup vocals worked well. He didn't transcend the songs, but that was appropriate as to the band as a whole.
The drummer, I have no complaints about. He played a good show. And, on the last song his playing was a definite highpoint.
The lyrics sometimes fall into the tired motifs of a lot of christian acts. Water as a symbolic of Christ would be my biggest complaint. That is the number one most overused idea I've heard. Sure, it's biblical I'm almost certain, but it just reminds me of all those songs I sang in church, and if I wanted to hear that I'd just listen to anything in the Third Day discography (the difference being, that third day brings their lyrics a whole new dimension in song) or anything by Rich Mullins (ya, I'm an overbearing supporter of the late mullins, but I see no reason not to be). Their lyrics are passable additions to the music.
Overall.. they're pretty good. They remind me of an old band named "dumb as sheep". Sheep has a pretty good album from a few years back, and I actually listen to it every now and then. But, it's not a band I get cravings for (like sixpence or glassjaw). They're just good timewasters. Rivers, Indiana can become something better, but they might be happy living where they are. That's their decision. No harm, no foul.
Well, maybe the "harm" comes to my pocketbook. As, I paid five bucks for this show, and I will likely pay five more in a few months to see how these guys mature.
So, if they are around, check Rivers out. They are an enjoyable diversion at least. And, if graffiti's ever gets in a completely function state, I'd say I'd be a regular patron. |
