You may want to consult your physician before attending a Turbo Fruits show. If you have a weak neck, weak lungs, or a bad liver, you may want to check out that solo acoustic show down the street instead. The band’s record release show at Mercury Lounge Thursday night actually wasn’t their wildest show, but they are capable of causing some serious rock n’ roll wreckage.
Even for a show that’s not in a small, sweaty, punk venue packed over capacity with riotous minds, the guys in Turbo Fruits don’t have to try that hard. They’re four guys from Nashville with rock n’ roll in their bones. This band isn’t about writing the next musical masterpiece. They’re about living life, and having a lot of attitude. From having their own Turbo Time records to coordinating a Bruise Cruise to playing over 200 shows in the past year, this is a way of life for them. Fuck a 9 to 5, if these guys were to punch a clock, they would literally punch it to pieces, and then go ride motorcycles and drink beer. Hypothetically speaking.
Front man Jonas Stein pulled out several split jumps and arm windmill guitar strums, and guitarist Kingsley Brock pulled out most of the fast and heavy solos. Drummer Matt Hearn hit it hard throughout the entire set, and bassist Dave McCowen had punk attitude and badass smirks for days…as well as owning those bass lines.
Most songs they played were off the recently released Butter, but there was a noticeable difference when they played an older song. “Volcano” was definitely the most recognized song, and was what got anyone who hadn’t already been head banging to just go for it. At one point, Ian O’Neil from Deertick – who Turbo Fruits recently toured with – jumped up on stage for a quick cameo. He helped crash some cymbals, and made the rounds around the stage jumping on each microphone to take turns sharing vocals.
They ended on “Ain’t the Only One Havin’ Fun,” a song made to be the finale of a show. Jonas made sure to fit in as many jump splits as possible, all the guys had reached their stride full on, and as Jonas howled out the words, it rang true that he sure ain’t.
Turbo Fruits have shows up through October, including a CMJ showcase at Public Assembly on October 19. Butter is out now, but don’t skip the older gems.
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