Sound Team, Cold War Kids & The Preakness @ The EARL | Recap
Posted by Paul in The Yellow StereoIt’s extremely nice to get out and see a good live show again. I haven’t been in months since the Jenny Lewis show, and i was just happy to be there regardless if last night’s show was good or bad. Thankfully enough the show as a whole was really great. I’ll be honest though as i think this was the first show i’d been to where the supporting act completely upstaged the headlining band. I felt kinda bad for Sound Team because as soon as Cold War Kids finished their set, it felt like everyone in the entire venue left and not many people stayed around for Sound Team to finish their set. Not to mention they were extremely loud, and my ears were left ringing the rest of the night. That’s not something i consider a positive experience.
I didn’t know too much about The Preakness coming into the show, but i was pleasantly surprised with their set. They played some nice, straight to the point indie-pop and which is good enough for me. In that picture you’ll notice bassist Tracy Clark playing a melodica which i’d never seen anyone play before in person. Kinda looks like a cross between a keyboard and a feeding tube. I’m trying to look for more info, but i don’t think they have a website and their myspace page is lacking in any kind of info besides that this trio (vocalist/guitarist Brandon Arnold, bassist Tracy Clark, and drummer Tim Genius) are from Decatur, GA.
The Preakness | “What They’re Saying” [from Cable & Tweed]
If the sheer amount of people that were there to see Cold War Kids was any kind of an example that they should be headlining their own shows, then look at those same amount of people who then left as soon as the set was over mind you. They played an awesome set, to quote a friend of mine who witnessed the show as well, “i like cold war kids way more than those other losers though.” Even with instrument malfunctions, the band kept on rolling and never missed a beat really. There were some really creative moments from the guitarist (who’s name escapes me at the moment) that ranged from banging a maraca on cymbals, to hitting a cymbal on a wooden stool along with a wine bottle with a drumstick when the aforementioned malfunctions started to happen.
I was bummed that i didn’t get to see them previously but this definitely makes up for it. The band definitely stole the entire night. They played with a confidence and with an aggressiveness that just completely gets you caught up in it. I think standing in front helped a lot as well for me. They played mostly songs off their recent EP Up In rags, and just played an all-around great set. Definitely check them out when they roll into your neighborhood.
Cold War Kids | “We Used To Vacation”
Cold War Kids | “Hang Me Up To Dry”
I kinda have a hard time writing about Sound Team’s set as i was kinda disappointed with it. I mentioned in the beginning how my ears were ringing when i left and this continued througout the night till i went to sleep. This was the result of how extremely loud the band was. This was not a good thing as it completely drowned out Matt Oliver’s voice which resulted in him having to yell a lot. I really like Movie Monster as i consider it a great debut album, but the songs didn’t translate that well live and that’s what i consider the most important aspect with a band. I think it didnt help much that the wind probably got taken out of their sails with not everyone staying around to listen to their set.
They played almost everything from Movie Monster except the one song i wanted to hear the most “Born To Please”, even someone behind me yelled out for them to play it with no result. They also played a new track too though, i don’t remember the name. I wish i had more to say about the set, but i really don’t and it would be more negative then positive sadly.
Sound Team | “Born To Please”
Sound Team | “Shattered Glass”
I still thought the show as a whole was great, and everyone should check Sound Team/Cold War Kids on the rest of their tour as on a few select dates they’ll be joined by blog faves Midlake.
7/21 nashville, tn exit/in
7/22 cincinnati, oh alchemize
7/24 washington, dc black cat, with midlake
7/25 philadelphia, pa northstar bar, with midlake
7/26 cambridge, ma t.t. the bear’s, with midlake
7/28 new york, ny mercury lounge, with midlake
7/29 new york, ny mercury lounge, with midlake
7/30 montreal, pq the green room
7/31 toronto, ont horseshoe tavern
8/1 detroit, mi magic stick
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