Headliners THE STILLS were all bark and no bite. Although they played very loudly to an ecstatic, enthusiastic audience who was going crazy for them, they failed to impress me, because underneath their roots-rock meets post-punk sound (on paper a very attractive combination), they just didn’t have any hooks, melodies, songs or anything else that I could latch onto. Then again, I was definitely in the minority, judging by the audience reaction as well as my fellow Big Takeover blogger’s reaction, though my girlfriend and another friend who was in attendance agreed with my assessment. Then again, since I was unfamiliar with their music before the show, perhaps I’m not the right person to be reviewing them.
The real reason I was there was to see Oakland indie-pop sensations ROGUE WAVE play as an opening act in a tiny club when they’d just headlined a sold-out Bowery Ballroom back in December, not to mention playing at the even larger Webster Hall back in March with NADA SURF in a co-headlining slot. I’m still not sure why Rogue Wave is touring with The Stills, and especially in such small venues, but whatever the case, I’m glad I went because ZACH ROGUE really shines in a small room.
Unlike the Bowery show, where he was clearly uncomfortable playing in a mid-sized room, this show felt like he was just playing for his buddies in a living room. He was relaxed and seemed to be enjoying himself much more. No matter how comfortable he is on stage, one thing can’t be denied. He writes songs with more hooks than a fisherman’s convention. These songs could be pouring out of arenas if they were in a different musical format, much like those that BOB POLLARD has been writing for over 20 years. Songs ranging from the shoegazer-ish “Publish My Love” to the anthemic “Bird on a Wire” were played in this rather short opening set, culminating with the incredible, DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE-like closer “Love’s Lost Guarantee.”
His backing band seemed tighter as well. I guess the months on the road have tightened up their sound quite a bit. The next time, though, I wish that the bill would be reversed, as should clearly be the case based on talent! That would give Rogue Wave more time to play. Alas, it seemed that they were just getting warmed up when they had to leave the stage.
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