Ra Ra Riot with Cut off your Hands and Telekinesis

So,

As many of you have figured out, I attended a concert last night. It was once again at Richard's on Richard's. I'm beginning to wonder if they are in fact tearing the building down. They have acts booked at the location until May. Tonight I opted of a position on the balcony. I got their early enough so I could have a good view. But I think that standing below may provide better sound. This is a theory I will have to test more thouroughly in the next little while as I only have 2 concerts to compare thus far; Amanada Palmer (which sounded great from the floor, but I couldn't really see that well) and this one (where I could see great, but the sound was a little loud)

First up was Telekinesis. They are from Seattle. I know this because they announced their names about 4 times during their cheesy conversational piece changes. Their Drum was also the singer, which I found to be really refreshing. I also get the impression that he composes most of the music; As he appears to cue in all the players and be the band leader. I quite liked this group. I hadn't heard of them before and in my experience for bands I haven't heard, to hear at a concert for the first time usually have a 60/40 chance of me liking them (60 = no thanks, 40 = I'd like to hear them again). The band had a punk feel with a little of the DCFC sound. There were sweet vocals mixed with emotional passages and enough diversity for me to want more than just their 30 minute set. The only thing I could say that needed improvement was some of the transitions in the songs. The band lacked confidence in this regard, especially when the leader was out with either drums, vocals or both. In addition, I found the bass a little weak, not only in rhythm keeping but also in intresting passage. I would have liked her to play a little more than just the root of each chord for the entire set. That being said, I am interested to see what this group comes up with in the near future.

Next up was Cut off Your Hands. In some respects, I think a number of people in the audience came to see them perform. I have heard of this band and own two of their songs. Both of which they played at the beginning. After the two songs I knew, the rest of the songs sounded like one song. I'm almost positive they played one of the songs on their album twice. I was a little dissapointed with this group. Unfortunatly, they don't have anything really special about them. They are a New Zealand Rock group and that is about all. If it wasn't for the entertaining flaylings of the lead singer and the entertaining audience members I may have forgotten this performance all together. I'm proud of the lead singer for being so free on stage. I just fear one day his poor little mic stand will collapse and he will go tumbling forward into the audience. I was also confused by his curling up into a ball moment near the end. I wonder if there was space if he would have actually attempted to execute a sommersault. On a more positive note, I really liked the slippers that the base player wore. I also believe he was the most talented of the group.

Next up was Ra Ra Riot. I have been listening to this band since 2006 and I have been waiting to see them live "for like ever". They played about an hour set. I knew ever single song they played and they were even more fantastic live as they were on the disc. There is really something magical about a group you can see perform that you know a) they LOVE what they do, b) they have that "it" factor on stage that helps them work together and show you they LOVE what they do, c) It entertains the pants off you to the point that when they announce their last song you wonder after looking at your watch, that was an hour? NO WAY, d) They are trained, talented and professional musicians. I really enjoyed how at times each instrument kind of becomes percussive and then at other times each instrument has its own melodic qualities. Hearing their creative take on layering was also of interest. Especially their strong ablitiles of incorporating of both a cello and a violin. It was especially cool to hear them explore the rock/instrumental aspect, at times there was long parts of the song they added with no singing. It is very clear this group is on the up and up. I also really like the kind of "nerd rock" thing they have going on. It's totally HAWESOME.

According to my own rules I shouldn't see Ra Ra Riot at SXSW. But I might have to. They were truely that good.

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