I love cooler weather! Puts me in a great mood. Saturday night was no exception. And what do i do when im in a great mood? Listen to music! And what better way to listen than to get to a show?
Recently I've been all over the place with kids, work, waiting for emails, and reading text books so I have not been out to see much. Gawd I miss the therapy that is live instruments all but randomly meshed together into this that we call a "band".
And yes... yes, if you haven't already figured out, I'm a nerd. Like to read. Not just fiction but books on history, science, political skewety and religious stations and how they relate to current politics and societal taboo. With the presidential election coming up, everyone's mind is on the latter two topics, mixing in the religious angle with a slight yet obvious slip into smear campaigns and mudslinging. Tomorrow is the election. We have the internet. Before you vote, let me suggest a research session into your friends facebook posts or twitter comments. Facts can be stated as facts online, however as my step mom pointed out some of those facts are blatant misfacts. I don't care who you vote for, just make sure that is your candidate before casting said vote. Tumultuous times ahead, think to yourself, is this the man I want running the country? Does he support my own beliefs and if it came down to it, would my rights and more importantly "self" be safe in his hands? Of course, lastly on the subject, make a vote!
Alright my slowly cooling people of the valley, onto the more enjoyable and unrelated to the above rant... music!!
I'll admit, I started at one place but the music was simply not catching my fancy. Talented and definately mention worthy, Matt Woods from Tennessee was a one man country act that shared his amazing voice and guitar with the valley at Rips. Admittedly I don't know much about it or listen to country, however when an act gets on stage and you can watch the guy, listen to his music and say, wow, this is something I could listen to in my car, it opens my appreciation for the genre I almost despised growing up just that much more.
We left Rips shortly after Matt Woods performed to seek out something more fast paced and hyper fall night worthy. So, we ended up in Scottsdale. You can probably guess where.
Now before I begin, I just wanna say that the shows I've seen recently prior to this one just didn't inspire note taking. That's how I work, with my phone, noting names, descriptions, songs and sometimes ppl watching. This night, for some cosmic reason of I know not what, I found my phone in my hand and realized I had started typing. Emotional sobriety is a strange monster, my friends.
We came in late and missed the first two bands. Nonetheless, with the first band we caught, I felt a twinge in my foot. It made its way up my leg then onto the rest of my body... oh yea, first minute of music got me moving! I love it when that happens.
Their second song had interesting gypsy style riffs and a mixture of easy and purposeful vox. If anyone can tell me the title, I'll give you a gold star! They had a confidant natural air that exemplifies a casual, clear tone. They also had strong strings and a musical fortitude that simply flowed as if speaking to a friend, not onstage trying to impress anyone. They are an alternative band with a classic and modern rock mixture. The talent and originality was adequetly expressed with a clear execution.
Lots of bands have their own renditions of "Land of the Rising Sun". This band is no exception. Calling themselves Jackson Difé, their rawr worthy version oozed a particular chill for me. Other than the technical execution of the melody and lyrics, Jackson Difé brought another level to the song that I can't say rivaled the original but definately portrayed their subconsious ability to use a cover as an embodiment of their own musical precipitation.
If you havent guessed the only dive in Scottsdale I've frquented, the answer is Rogue bar. Rogue bar, despite my absence for a while, continues to impress me with a talented sound engineer and a sound system that rivals most local venues. The music vibrates through the walls and floor with an atmosphere of a jovial crowd and cloud of music you can hear from every angle. Your not just hearing the music, it seems to be all around you, like your in the track. Perfectly balanced and loud the notes are pleasantly overpowering. You are experiencing the music, inside the music. As a true dive focused on local live music the Rogue fucking nailed it for me tonight.
I had an insert of some people watching I did but I enjoyed the show so much I won't honor their douchbaggery with a specific mention. Instead I'll just give Manny at the Rogue a smile and thank you for putting on some awesome shows and keeping the local scene as well as touring bands, primarily Indie and alternative, a home.
The second band we caught was O Henry. They were high energy folk incorporating a fiddle and banjo in their whirlwind of foot stomping sincerity. Not at folk shows often, the music definately brings me a smile. A different genre than I normally listen to, folk is upbeat and positive and brings me endorphins nonetheless. The beat of the drums, twang of the strings and good 'ole boy vocals tend to associate my mind with the joyful portions of childhood.
With an indirect connection with punk, rock and country, the O'Henry band caught my attention and brought a beat to my soul. But what is music but a liason to every ounce of creativity and expression in ones being? Regardless of genre, style or "fashion", a true talent and passion for that which vibrates thru the human condition is something to be appreciated and enjoyed. Some say, "metal till I die" and exclude everyone else, "punk thru and thru" yet forget that roots of punk include country and Irish folk. Some of these indivuals turn their noses up at other genres and the people who associate with them. The basis of the punk mentality originates from creative self expression and simply being you, regardless of what others think or say. So to belittle someone based on their musical preference is a self damaging attack on ones own beliefs. I myself am an individual, I care not what others think of me. It is to you, out there listening to rock, country, hip hop, rap, or even traditional heritage music such as middle eastern or Russian or native American, I say people will have their own opinions of you. Listen to what makes you happy. Don't be ashamed of your playlist. If you listen to what your ancestors listened to for centuries, there is no need to hide, for without these, we would have no modern scene.
Back to O'Henry. Vocals are amazingly diverse and undertoned with a custom modern style. Instrumentally they possess an array of a five piece creation that incorporates traditional folk pieces such as a banjo, as well as the afore mentioned modern vocals and bass guitar. O'Henry... I tip my furred had to your mesh of original and twangy atmosphere of positive energy.
Listening to their second to last song, with a heavy bass drum and a positive dramatic melody, O'Henry to me is more than just folk.Its one of those bands with a message of passionate adoration for what they do and for the diverse audience that came to the show. They ended with a high tempo southern style gift of song that got everyone, be they typical pop appreciator or Hipster traditionalist, on the floor in front of the stage. To O'Henry... keep it fantabulous!!
Yes I had a lot to say, but its been a while since I've shared anything so I hope you enjoy! If anything, I hope this entertained you and encouraged you to check out these two bands! Oh and occupy a fucking venue! Cheers, my friends. Until next time.
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