Japandroids

Japandroids did a great job of playing about 15 songs. It was an incredible bargain at $5. The sound was decent. I did have earplugs in as I am approaching 40 and wish to retain my hearing but it still sounded great. In fact, I'm sure every show will be done will earplugs. I was up close on the left side of the venue right in front of the speakers. The Newport does not have many bad spots. It was awesome. Funny, I only knew about them from a year ago when Tosh mentioned them on his show!

Truly amazing in every way, atmosphere was phenomenal, crowd was phenomenal. Could have colder but hey, what funs a gig when your not covered in other peoples sweat?

The end of year stuff is upon us. After last nights Grammy Award Concert nonsense we can pretty much put a bow on the year in music, 2012. And it was another good one. Plenty of top 50 lists were released this week and this blog will probably be doing one in before years end You can take a look at Rolling Stone and Stereogum lists here. Tuesday a few of my personal favorites from 2012, Brooklyn's Diiv and Vancouver's Japandroids, shared Webster Hall's stage. It was the first of a two night stay and one of the last stops on a marathon tour for Japandroids. They played NYC earlier in the year supporting their marvelous sophomore LP, Celebration Rock. They are following today's rock and roll blue print for success. Put out an amazing record, sell it to whoever is buying (tv shows, commercials, itunes downloads), then tour the living hell out of it. In June these kids (Brian King-guitar/vocal and David Prowse drums/vocals) played the much smaller Bowery Ballroom. Less than half a year later they played to a sold out Webster Hall. The second date was added as a result of this records success (and the deserved reputation of a Japandroids live show.) Granted, King's voice was admittedly weaker due to the rigors of touring. He was quick to point this out early on in the show. "Can you guys help with this one? It requires a lot of high c's?" The notes folks, not the drink. But when I compare Japandroids to another duo that played Webster Hall days earlier (Tanlines review 11.30.12) it is like comparing apples to monkeys. It's the live drums I tell ya! And the energy! What an incredible energy! Two Canadian kids, a drummer who won't quit, guitars and screaming vocals and rowdy white kids drinking it up like so many draft beers at a frat party. This is testosterone rock. No frills, aggressive, sing along and smile rock. And the drums, the drums, the drums... Watching Prowse play is jaw dropping. Then he sings? Ugh. How on Earth do people possess this talent? His light gray shirt was drenched and black within a few songs. They opened with two crowd pleasers/radio hits from Celebration Rock: Adrenaline Nightshift and Fires Highway live from 2012 Pitchfork Festival. It was a strong beginning to a whirlwind hour long set. No ballads here folks. The artists were most grateful for the crowds attention and admiration. More than once King told them "You are keeping us alive." He even ignored their absurd "Let's Go Rangers" chants imploring them to 'Stop antagonizing him." He wanted only good vibes. But he did sneak in a "Rangers Suck, Canucks Rule!" line mid-set. They breezed through most of Celebration Rock and hit some numbers from their debut record too. It was a hard charging and enjoyable effort. Best of 2012? You bet. Expect more big things from these boys in the years to come. Think Black Keys from Canada, eh? Is MSG in their future? It is not as far fetched as you might think. Brooklyn's Diiv opened the evening with a brief set that highlighted their brilliant debut LP, Oshin. The LP plays like a moody, haunting soundtrack piece not unlike a Real Estate, Caveman, Grizzly Bear, and the rest of that laid back, new So-Cal rock records of the past few years. The live vibe is decidedly different. The bass line is heavy and LOUD. The guitars and jams are faster and more improvisational. At times it seemed like they were trying to play as fast as they can. It was as if someone was holding a gun to them from back stage. Must. Play. Notes. Quickly. All that said, they were still very much in control. The crowd that arrived for their set was older and very reserved. My thought is this time next year they are headlining here and more young kids will be on board. Diiv consists of Zachary Cole Smith (guitars/vocals/clearly influence by Kurt Cobain), Devin Ruben Perez (bass), Andrew Bailey (guitar), and Colby Hewitt (drums.)

Japandroids is the kinda of band that live is even better than at the records, they have an incredible energy that is contagious. Even if you don't know the songs you are going to be jumping around and enjoying the moment. Brian (the lead singer and guitar player) has that "thing" that lots of musicians doesn't have, he knows how to deal with his crowd in a particular way. You can expect lots of jokes from him and they are incredibly accessible. After the concert they just stayed on the stage talking to their fans and taking pictures. Never saw a medium size band like them doing that. If you have the chance to go to a Japandroids concert, do it. Because its really worth.

Two dudes, one guitar and one set of drums. What else do you need? Japandroids are such a breath of fresh air in a world clogged full of EDM and electronica. It's refreshing to see people perform without a laptop, synthesizers or autotune. They're raw and full of passion about the music they make.

These guys rocked out like no other. I think this might have been one of my favorite shows!!!

LOUD, amazing, and a total blast - I've never had this much watchin' a two person band. I bought their second album after I heard them on the radio and I've been hooked since.

Japandroids rocked hard tonight. Good tunes...good crowd...!! Overall amazing energy. They sounded awesome live and played a solid 1.5 hr nonstop set! "Oh oh oh oh!!!!!!"

Easily one of the best rock acts of the last 20 years. Unfortunately they sing their hearts out with such fervor that their voices suffer, but that does not effect the overall intensity of the performance and the energy they bring every night. Wish I could have gone both nights.

A northern soul in southern lands Will always find his way to southern hands She'll kiss away your gypsy fears And turn some restless nights to restless years Hearts from hell collide On fire's highway tonight We dreamed it, now we know A soul of fire and eyes of flame Tend to overwhelm her tender frame When raw winds blew us down her city's streets She warmed my body with her spirit's heat Some empty bottles, the cold sweat blues Howling like outlaws from her rented room No rising sun confession, dear Only a restless night I'll nurse for years Hearts from hell collide On fire's highway tonight We dreamed it, now we know One night to have and to hold To let live, but never let go A northern soul in southern lands Will always find his way to southern hands She'll kiss away your gypsy fears And turn some restless nights to restless years Hearts from hell collide On fire's highway tonight We dreamed it, now we know

Got to the show early enough to see Diiv, whose record I like. They didn't do it for me live though...no stage presence to speak of, unintelligible vocals, overall quite dull. The place was packed by the time Japandroids went on, for better or worse. Personally, I'm not a big fan of their earlier material, so I kind of zoned out when they played those songs. On the other hand, their new record is my favorite of 2012, and their performance of those songs was spot on. Overall, a solid show.

The two of them put on a show with enough energy that there should have been 10 band members. They interacted with the crowd well, even willing to put on a space helmet to please the crowd. If you want a band that gives everything, then the Japandriods are it. The only negatives were the audience, a number of guys got on stage and wouldn't get off. Which lead to Brian getting a bit pissed, it was obvious that giving 100% every night for 4 months is starting to wear on them.

While they tried to rock it loud an proud, it was sort of a fail. There were was no variety in their sound and the stupid light show on the stage was blinding! I left after an hour, hopefully it got better.

I've never seen a musical act put on a show with more raw talent and energy than Dave and Brian gave at this show. Outrageously talented duo. Put on one hell of a show.

I haven't seen 2 people make this much music since the white stripes. What a great performance.

These guys had energy and tried to get the crowd going, but just really couldn't turn it over into a good show. I was always waiting for an amazing moment.

Spot on excellent energized performance! Played nearly every song that the band has ever written, really kept the crowd moving!!!

SO much fun. I've seen Japandroids twice, and both shows improved my life.

Me and my buddies had an amazing time. Brian and Dave were on top of their game. They played every song from Celebration Rock and almost every song from Post-Nothing. No songs from No Singles I'm afraid. Oh well, maybe next time. Oh yeah. To the guy next to the mosh pit who was overprotective of his girlfriend: Did you honestly expect that there was not going to be a mosh pit at a Japandroids show? Relax and have some fun. :)

flat out- these guys rock. seeing them at mercury lounge was awesome. they bring an awesome mix of energy and humor to their performance. definitely one of the harder rocking shows i have seen lately.