Before I got to the Bishop, I wondered what the three bands, Brass Bed, Frontier Ruckus, and David Vandervelde, would do; how would they confront the common challenges that occur with live performance, while still establishing their signature individual sounds? Each band, in my opinion, confronted the challenge beautifully; they each brought something different to the table, but still entertained, impressed, and charmed the audience. These bands also featured some of the best live guitarists I've ever seen in concert.
Brass Bed started off the night around 9:30 pm. The keyboard is an instrument that is highly underrated, but Brass Bed took full advantage of the expert skills of their keyboardist and featured phenomenally intricate keyboard pieces in many of their songs. Hearing the keyboard melodies ring and intertwine with the guitar flawlessly was the best part of listening to Brass Bed. I think their catchiest song is called "People Want To Be Happy," and its feel-good beat combined with fantastic guitar and keyboard solos make the song memorable and showcase the group's strengths.
The next band to play was Frontier Ruckus. Some of their fans were at the show, so I got a chance to see Frontier Ruckus' dynamic with their following. They had such a strong connection to the music, and wanted their fans to participate in that same connection. In an effort to immerse the crowd into his musical mindset, the lead singer performed the final two songs standing amongst the crowd, as fans audibly sang along with him. Frontier Ruckus was really all about the music, and has earned the respect and loyalty of their fans because of it.
I've also never seen a live band that contained so many incredibly talented musicians that played such a diverse and unusual range of instruments. The banjo, harmonica, and even a saw (yes...the hardware tool) were featured prominently in many songs. On the group's ballads, the saw provided an eerie affect on the songs, accompanied by the lead singer's emotive vocals and quivering vibrato. One particularly great song, however, inspired me to get up and dance for the rest of the set. The song, "Mount Marcy," features a Bluegrass-influenced instrumental where the banjo takes complete control. Frontier Ruckus was definitely one of the most innovative acts to hit the Bishop stage.
Around 12 am, David Vandervelde took the stage. Vandervelde immediately took the audience in with his undeniable presence and charm. His guitar skills, however, were the sinker. Vandervelde plays the guitar with the classic style, vintage complexity, and uncontrolled ferocity reminiscent of the early 60s. I also appreciated the fact that the band's lyrics are simple, yet effective and intelligent, another aspect that harkens back to the early classic rock songs.
Vandervelde's newer songs have a darker, edgier feel, and as the bass guitar rumbled the song's constant pulse, I was captivated by each song's intensity and mystery. Still, the band made sure to have fun during their set. "Hit the Road" was the most fun to rock out to, and hearing Vandervelde let out a Jet-esque scream was especially great. I love the lyrics of "Hit the Road" as well; the song's relatable theme of saying goodbye to a lover contributes to its jazz-Blues sound.
In an age where live performance makes or breaks an artist, these three bands have absolutely nothing to worry about. Their stage presence and phenomenal musicality set the bar for bands coming through Bloomington. I've even gained a new iTunes playlist created from the music I heard tonight, an added bonus to an already fulfilling evening.
-Rachel Cerrone
