Last night at Glasslands started out casual enough, being a Tuesday and all. There ended up being only two bands on the bill, so the crowd had extra time to hang out and partake of the photo booth after a couple rounds of drinks. Then, Snakes Say Hiss went on.
Snakes Say Hiss
This Philadelphia-based indie band came across like more like a blend of the more emo side of rock with electro, like maybe what could happen if a band like Taking Back Sunday teamed with M.I.A, and then went on a hardcore drinking binge. Singer Jamie Ayers employed techniques such as wrapping the mic cord around his neck, dropping to his knees and singing with his forehead on the stage, but then jumping up to emphasize the drum beats and crash some cymbals with the microphone. He mostly stumbled around the small stage, as if overwhelmed with deep, intoxicated emotion, and took what looked like some pretty hard falls. A few times he teetered precariously at the edge of the stage, prompting the people at the front of the crowd to act as his spotters. To his credit though, he didn’t seem to miss a vocal cue. Despite all his wild and slightly alarming movements, he powered through his lyrics without the slightest waver.
Born Gold Shovel Hype
Born Gold could quite possibly take the prize for the most action packed live show I’ve seen this year. I was simply unprepared for the all-out circus spectacle these guys put on. They came to party, and party everyone did. Born Gold is the reincarnation of Gobble Gobble, spawned from a disco ball in a circus tent from space, and work out to intergalactic electro Wii.
Cecil Frena
Maestro Cecil Frena took up the whole stage, manning a table filled with every electronic instrument imaginable (and unimaginable – I’m pretty sure he invented some of them). His voice rang out like an electro alien while he danced and controlled both sound and lights with his Wii remote, looking like the Greek God of Party. His two bandmates, who were matching in black mesh tanks and tiny silver metallic shorts, set up on the floor in front of the stage with samplers, drum machine, drum, and lots o’ random electronicals (I just made that word up, but it feels appropriate). They had handmade guitars, looking something like more sophisticated versions of the cigar box guitar, along with shovel guitars – basically small snow shovels with samplers strapped on. These shovels were also used as crowd hyping tools, being lifted high over head like staffs of raucous.
Throughout the set the two drummers in front wielded all sorts of props. Besides the multi-purpose shovels, they had giant drum heads they thrust into the crowd for everyone to beat on, donned metallic football helmets, waved white sheets like streamers, and even put on stilts to walk through the crowd in. These hyperactive dudes are extremely in shape, because they did not stop moving the entire time. This includes a choreographed dance routine they also threw in. If they weren’t dancing or beating on drums, they were hyping the crowd, high-fiving as many hands as possible, and crowd surfing. Something exuberant was happening at every second, and Glasslands was for all intents and purposes a party playground.
Born Gold is a 100% audience participatory band, getting people to dance, clap, take their shirts off, and bang drums. It was like a total sensory overload whirlwind, and everyone left sweaty as hell, with a huge cheesy grin on their face. Oof.
This show also marked the release of Born Gold’s debut LP Bodysongs, which no doubt will make you start your own bedroom party. Wii and fog machines not included. The band is off to tour Canada, but they will be back for CMJ. Keep in touch with them on Facebook for more info.
Photos (c) Kelly Knapp
