Live Review: British Sea Power @ Satellite Ballroom, May 7

I have to admit, in a way I take it for granted that a British Sea Power show will be ridiculously good. Having already seen the thinking person's indie band several times before, I wasn't concerned in the least about being entertained. After all, even if the music wasn't delightfully thought-provoking and charmingly quirky, how could you not love a band who brings foliage and stuffed owls on tour with them? True, neither foliage nor taxidermy was featured on this tour, but nevertheless, the show was as solid as I expected, and perhaps even better than I had hoped.

There was a bittersweet feel to the show, as the tragic and outrageous closure of the Satellite Ballroom in favor of yet another CVS at the end of May hung heavily in the air. But once British Sea Power took to the stage, all was well, if only for a little while.

BSP took to the stage to the strains of the opening track from their most recent album, Do You Like Rock Music?, "All In It." The band opted for a more modern sartorial look than I had seen them in before, mixing their traditional turn-of-the-century peasant garb with contemporary pieces like a defaced Spongebob Squarepants tee (as seen on Yan), and a nurses' top (as modeled by Hamilton). As the tour was in promotion of the latest record, the setlist pulled heavily from there, but included some older treats such as the early, non-album track "The Spirit of St. Louis."

Not only is this a truly smart band, they're also rather good at the whole playing music thing. Song after song the band showed their adeptness at their respective instruments, with Yan and Hamilton switching off on bass anf guitar with great dexterity, and many a song being extended with mini-jam sessions and much rocking out. And, as is the mark of a great band, British Sea Power sound even better live than on record. I found it hard to believe it had been over two years since my last BSP show, yet they took up where we left off, which is being one of the most special live acts around today.

They sing of sea birds, social issues, and obscure historical events otherwise long-forgotten. They are a band of a different horse, a band from another planet, and a band like no other. I love them for being such smartypantses, and for rocking out with their brains out. British Sea Power is a treasure, but don't take my word for it. Go see them for yourself, and let me know how much you loved it.

Live Review: The Spinto Band @ Satellite Ballroom, February 28, 2008

Admittedly, I have a soft spot for the Spinto Band. The members of the band might look sweet and innocent, but don’t let their unassumingly fresh-faced exteriors fool you. For deep within each of them lies ferocious talent, and when they join forces onstage the effects can be devastating. You know what they say, it’s always the quiet ones, the ones you don't expect…

It was my first visit to Charlottesville’s Satellite Ballroom, an oddly-shaped, smallish space. The clientele was a mix of teenagers with bold black X’s emblazoned on their hands, chino-clad, beer-swilling UVA boys, tight jeans-wearing, beer-swilling UVA girls, and a handful of none of the above (such as yours truly). American Bang were on first, and their physical appearance reminded me of what Kings of Leon kind of used to be, and as soon as they began playing they also sounded like Kings of Leon today, had they not abandoned the Southernness of their sound. The Whigs, on last, were good but nothing terribly exciting.

Which means that the Spintos were definitely the top band of the evening on this night, despite being the sandwich filling on the bill. I’d seen them several times before, so I already knew how good their set was going to be, but as with most good bands, there was no hint of complacency in them. It’s almost like they have no idea how good they are, which seems impossible. They play with immense enthusiasm, and it’s a joy to watch a band that’s having a grand ole time. The band grins, giggles, and brims with happy intensity, all gazillion of them. Their sweetly cheeky pop is incredibly well-played, and never fails to bring a smile to my face. (For example, I’m listening to them right now, and guess what I’m doing? That’s right, I’m smiling).

The set was full of songs I didn’t recognize, which is great news because that usually means there’s new material coming out, and it’s been a few years since the sublimely adorable Nice and Nicely Done was released. The kazoo-driven “Brown Boxes,” “Mountains,” and fan favorite “Oh Mandy” were all included in the performance, and received warm welcomes. They seem to have cut down a bit on their Beatles-esque head-bobbing, though, which made me a little sad. Other than that, the set was fantastic, as to be expected. As my friend (and our photographer) pointed out, if they stay together for a while and keep up their work ethic, there’s no telling how good they could get. I couldn’t agree more.

(photo by Laura O'Neill)