I made it down to The Bayanihian Community Centre in between Rooney and the Minglers and Cobras Cobras Cobras respective sets. It was actually my debut in the venue that I cannot pronounce and it was both homey and cosy. It also sounded decent to this Bayanihan virgin. I had listened to one or two of CCC's songs prior to the event and really had an open mind and no expectations. They were a very enthusiastic power trio that had a Blood Brothers flavor, and more than a few manic breakdowns. Where they strived in writing they lacked in execution, the drums seemed to float in and out of time with the keys and axe but they entertained none the less. I really dig the Goldeneye audio at the end of their romp-rock Commandon't. The drummer also looked a little batty but so do I when I play, here is a poor example:
and..
Hermetic were the band that I attended the event to see and they, quite simply, make fantastic music. There are merely two of them, similar to their cross-town musical counterparts Japandroids and though they do it different they do it equally well. The melodic vocals ride the wave of danceable, post punk guitar chords that bounce and crash upon the tightly locked grasp of the technically sound drums. Picture singing a Haiku to your girlfriend through your bedroom window while Ted Leo is playing in the next room and your neighbor is practicing drums to his favorite Bloc Party song.
At one point Eric, the baritone guitar wielding front-man, donned a harmonica while navigating the chords of 'Malingering 'only to toss it over his shoulder after the second verse. There is a certain juxtaposition about the way the instrumentals meet the vocals with Hermetic. It's as if Eric wants to violently vent into the microphone but is forced to merely harmonize beautifully with the structure of the band's songs. The guitar work is mesmerizing in itself but it is underwhelmed by the delicate, pleading vocals that sing you into bliss.
The drummer, Bart, also sings and to demonstrate this let's listen to my two favorite songs ever by two man bands. These will knock your socks off, one by one.
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