Warpaint is a band I have heard about from time to time so when I saw they were coming here I bought their new CD The Fool and became an instant fan. I also downloaded the six song EP Exquisite Corps and that solidified my endorsement. They sounded to me as sprouting from the seed of pre-2002 Eisley, another band I have followed for eight years and have written about here several times. There are some dead on vocal similarities, especially the harmonies. Progressive, experimental, psychedelic, giving nods to the ’70s. What I like about Warpaint is that they are not following rules or a formula at this point. It makes one look forward to what will come out of them next. (Speaking of Eisley: They signed to Equal Vision Records and press has been favorable for their new material. I heard the early versions of the songs and they have some classic gems there. Look for them on the road starting in February co headlining with Rooney.)
The live show proved that they can deliver. The vocals were beautiful, the playing expert. They even seemd to jam and speed up things on some songs. The set was ten songs with material equally taken from each record. The first half of the show seemed to be a warm up of their experimental and vocal harmony laden songs such as “Bees” and “Composure” The second half of the show was tighter and included “Elephants” which features some of the strongest, dreamiest guitar work. The only negative was that they didn’t play longer. As with any show one will go away having missed hearing a song or two. I have always wished I could write the set list for some of the shows I have been to. With just fifteen songs released and ten played at the show it speaks to the quality of their material.
The audience was varied. I was surprised that a “surfer-type” was one of the first people in line. Apparently, the ambient quality of their music has been adopted by the surf crowd.
Speaking of surprises at the show, one was The Ton Tons. Lead singer Asli Omar had the charisma of a rock star. The band is solid and not afraid to experiment with any genre in their songs. Some are cabaret and some pop while others have Latin influences and still others western influences.
San Antonio band Girl in a Coma have already met with success having released their album on Joan Jett’s label Blackheart Records. Singer, guitarist Nina Diaz has great high end vocals. I especially love her covers of “Walking After Midnight,” “Feme Fetale” and “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.”
The show was just packed with talent. Ume was like Muse’s stage presence with Hayley Williams rocking vocals. Vocalist Lauren Larsen does double duty on guitar and it’s amazing what comes out of her.. Look for a widely available new release this spring.
Houston provided a strong contingent of artists including Tax the Wolf. For some reason, they made me think of Mars Volta. Was it the hair? Or was it the soaring vocals?
Young Girls did not have any girls in the band but they did feature some fresh pop music. I picked up their 45 release.
The Handshake rounded out the openers. And, they could be the sleeper band of the evening. I went back and gave a listen to their songs on Myspace and there is some strong material there that parallels the popular sounds of 2010.
