Jeremy Peruski writesMusic in Pictures: CHIRP Radio Web Site Launch Party (11/29/12)

CHIRP's launch party for our new Web site at Lincoln Hall was a smashing success, with four bands providing an evening of great music for the crowd. Jason Crock (words) and Jeremy Peruski (Pictures) were on-hand to document the proceedings…

First act Sidecar Static are three young men who were punctual, highly polite in their crowd banter and well studied in turn-of-the-century indie Rock. Knotty guitar chords were driven by anxious, wailing vocals and a surging rhythm section featuring CHIRP DJ Blake Burhart on bass and drummer Pat Noyes, who played so forcefully that the house staff had to keep pushing his bass drum back into place. Those small technical difficulties couldn’t put a damper on their forceful, well-rehearsed set.

Heavy Times' live performances are true to their name–they play fast, loud, and heavy garage rock. The distorted, blown-out sound of their debut LP, 2001’s Jacker, is replaced by raw energy when on stage, but the pop melodies are still discernible through the racket. While their stage banter was off-the-cuff and the four members slagged each other frequently on stage, their playing was locked in from the start, and they put every ounce of effort into getting the crowd moving in spite of the early hour.

The lights at Lincoln Hall came out in full-force for Summer Girlfriends, as did the remainder of the crowd. Their mix of vintage pop, garage rock and surf rock was clearly resonating with everyone in attendance. (During a quick detour to get a drink, even the Lincoln Hall staff had their attention glued to the screens in the restaurant area.) It was evident that the all-female five-piece–featuring former CHIRP DJ Kristin Marks on guitar–has already built a following in the few months since they released their debut, Shockwaves, on Addenda Records.

Outer Minds are out to recall the most paisley and enchanted psych-rock and pop, and they will try and recapture it by any means necessary, be it a twelve-string guitar, a vocalist on full-time tambourine duty or judicious use of three- or four-part vocal harmonies. It’s a sound familiar to many, but the band knows exactly what sound they’re after, and they have the tools and talent to get there. More importantly, the look like they’re having the time of their life playing on stage and when they rip through songs like “Footsteps” (from the first of the two albums they released in 2012), the feeling is contagious. If there was one common thread to all the bands that played the benefit, it was their joy in being on stage. It didn't matter how early or how full the room was, all four played like it was a genuine privilege to be there.

(Click here to go to CHIRP's Flickr page to see a full set of pictures taken at the show!)