The Urban Lounge, Feb. 11
By The Future of the Ghost’s third song, the crowd began melting toward the dance floor … As frontman Will Sartain sang “Love is a Matador,” the lights began to flash in sync with the beat, adding to the infectious charisma and enthusiasm the band exuded … Their sheer joy for playing loud and furiously, and for getting butts dancing, makes Birthquake a band to be reckoned with. Sure, their jammy-rock and tropicalia-jazz cuts are enjoyable on disc, but the immediacy of the moment paired with ridiculous banter makes them assuredly entertaining in concert … In full disclosure (and as a testament to Night Sweats’ way of winning over an audience), this reviewer took no notes during their performance, instead dancing his ass off. For those who stuck around, the synthy dance grooves made for a sweaty, gyrating good time. (Austen Diamond)
Ravings of a Madman, INVDRS, Killbot
Burt’s Tiki Lounge, Feb. 11
Ravings of a Madman dove right into their set. “Automatic 45” and “SOS” blared over the sound system, stirring up an old-fashioned mosh pit … INVDRS came in with their wall of sound, did their thing, and took off, leaving the crowd demanding more … The rest of the night belonged to Killbot, who immediately said they were taking requests. Cranking out songs like “Beware the Moon” and “Kill the Priest,” the band caused another pit to erupt … Not everyone there may have loved it (there was beer in the voting box, and a couple of punches were thrown) but that was one of the better metal showcases we’ve had in years. (Gavin Sheehan)
S.L.F.M., Palace of Buddies, Muscle Hawk
Bar Deluxe, Feb. 12
Not only did S.L.F.M. win over the crowd with her funny and charming between-song banter, but her rapid-fire strumming of her distorted ukelele was an unusual enough sight for those unfamiliar to be drawn to the stage just to see what was going on … Obviously, the amount of sound the two men in Palace of Buddies generate onstage is impressive, but their ability to create hummable melodies and undeniable hooks that stand out from the wall of sound they’re constructing is what struck me … The Muscle Hawk duo of Greg Bower and Josh Holyoak, abetted by a drummer, started with an energetic blast and rarely relented. “We have come to freak you out,” Holyoak announced. “We have come to wear your shoes out.” And they proceeded to do their damnedest to do just that. (Dan Nailen)
Lindsay Heath Orchestra, David Williams, La Farsa
The Woodshed, Feb. 12
Lindsay Heath looked ready for battle, war-painted and armed with drumsticks. She likes to use the latter to attack the drums while she sings, rhythmically buttressing her impressive voice. After the first couple of passionate incursions, Heath called out the cavalry (a bassist and drummer), picked up her guitar and led an orchestral charge of epic proportions … David Williams was able to bring a mellower tone to the stage without losing the energy or crowd; no small feat for a man armed only with a vintage Martin guitar. The sound he calls from that old, worn guitar is bigger than you would expect … After the sound check, La Farsa erupted into dizzying keyboard runs, bright, poppy guitars and, of course, Erin Haley’s powerful vocals … The only thing more fun than watching La Farsa might be being in La Farsa. (Sarah Kramer)
CWMA FINAL SHOWCASE
Featuring Lindsay Heath Orchestra, King Niko and Cory Mon & The Stardust Gospel
The Complex Vertigo Room
536 W. 100 South
Saturday, Feb. 19, 9 p.m.
$10 at the door
CityWeekly.net/CWMA
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