Last night, I headed over to Bowery earlier than I normally do to catch The Hourly Radio open for Mobius Band and Stellastarr*. I was glad to see quite a few people made the effort to come out early and catch the band as well.
The Hourly Radio put on a great set. I only wish I could have shouted louder, but after so many shows I think my hollering voice is giving out on me. I’m a bit of a screamer.
The group’s sound can be described as Sigur Ros meets hmmm, Stellastarr* I guess with definite facets of Radiohead. It’s moody and dark but with soaring synths and jivable beats. I was surprised to see that the band was actually from Dallas; they emit such a dark British eighties feel. For more information on the album, check out
Skye’s past review.
Drummer, Adam Vanderkolk, is an impressive sight indeed in person with his powerful playing that drives the band through each song with his focus on the dual cymbal. Aaron Closson on vocals is brilliant as well, his voice is ethereal, haunting and sharp.
The highlight of the set by far was ‘Crime Does Pay’. I cannot express how much I love this song. It’s the stand-out dance track off the album, watch they’ll be djing it at Tiwas in a fortnight. The moment you hear it, it’s as if you already know it. Some songs require a second listen to get into, but this one barely requires you to get to the middle before it has you up off your feet. You can
download it now from itunes.
All in all, a great show from the boys from Texas. I hope some of you out there got to see them this weekend.
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If you are ever wondering who Matt and Jen the Music Sluts are in the crowd, we’re the boy with the specs and the girl with the long brown hair whooping, hollering and dancing like crazy people somewhere in the middle. Stellastarr* is not a very chatty band but the way they rock out, it’s really not necessary. I read a review of the group recently which called them derivative. No one ever said Stellastarr* was reinventing the wheel but they do make good music which gets everyone shaking their ass. Tell me ‘My Coco’ doesn’t pull you out onto the dancefloor every time you hear it? Hearing that song live is worth the price of a ticket if you ask me.
Ok, that’s enough about Stellastarr* from me, I think Matt has it covered in his review. For your viewing pleasure, however, below are some of my pictures from the night.
oh, and to the prick who found it necessary to go buy three beers in the middle of the show, then struggle back up to the front, spilling half of one all over my arm, two words: FUCK YOU. Where should I send the dry-cleaning bill?
*The post title refers to the damned blue light that Stellastarr* kept flashing in my eye. I’ll have to remember my sunglasses tonight.
The Hourly Radio are on tour again… go and see em’, you lucky United States type people….
