Trying something new this week; a dedicated focus on a sound instead of new bands. Lately, the submissions coming across my desk have been mostly inoffensive “alt.country” and lo-fi surf infused bands struggling to keep up with the hot trends on hypem. As much as I enjoy both of those genres – when done right – I need a break from the sprawling folk collectives and art school noise projects. You aren’t going to read about bands experimenting with a never ending supply of melodicas, pedal steel, strings and banjo, all fighting the vocalist and each other for your attention. No, this week it’s back to the basics. Anything more than bass, drums, crunching guitar riffs and maybe the occasional flourish of keys need not apply.

 

 

Friday night, The Seahorse Tavern renewed my faith in live music. It’s no secret that I’m getting old, crotchety and above all, lazy. Waiting around until 11:30 just to hear some bullshit openers aint my shot of espresso these days, but if a great set can renew a spark, the Bird World, Moonsocket (!!!!), Apollo Ghosts and Dog Day line-up was roughly equivalent to the bands galloping through my village on trusted steeds tossing flaming torches on thatched roofs.

 

The show opened with local outfit Bird World, but the real surprise of the night was an unannounced set from former Eric’s Tripper, Chris Thompson, a.k.a. Moonsocket. It feels like Chris has been around forever, writing songs that are under appreciated by far too many music fans, but this was the first time I ever caught him live.

 

With help from Ron Bates’ fuzzed out bass fills and Adrian Teacher’s crashing drums, Chris hammered out three songs that could warm the heart of any kid whining about how indie rock is dead and gone. The set might have only been about 15-minutes from start to finish, but god damn, if you didn’t want to scream “1,2,3,4″ when Teacher counted down the last song, I don’t think we can be friends.

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MP3:: Moonsocket – Maggie May (Rod Stewart cover)
Web:: http://moonsocket.bandcamp.com

 

Moonsocket – The Widower ft. Adrian Teacher & Ron Bates

 

Moonsocket – The Best Thing ft. Adrian Teacher & Ron Bates

 

Moonsocket – Bad Time to Care ft. Adrian Teacher & Ron Bates

 

It’s not an exaggeration when I tell people that Apollo Ghosts are one of my two or three favorite bands these days and anyone lucky enough to see the band tear through a special 30th birthday set (go Amanda Panda!!!!) on Friday night should be testifying from the same pulpit.

 

Apollo Ghosts won’t change your life, and more importantly, they don’t want to. The Vancouver trio wants to get you pogoing around the dancefloor, singing along to catchy choruses. The punky two-minute songs are played without pretension and you’d need a Zapruter film type analysis to find a moment when someone in the trio wasn’t smiling. Within seconds they had the crowd completely engaged, dancing and clapping along. The new songs are faster, and more aligned to a punk ethos than quirky spastic pop they used to play, but the charming presence the band exudes is still there and makes every moment so special.

 

Whether it’s a heart felt declaration of love to a band member, awesomely awkward Donair humor or Adrian’s carefree dance moves, nothing about the band is inauthentic or rehearsed. Even when Teacher took his shirt off or crowd surfed, it felt spontaneous. I mentioned it on twitter Saturday AM, but honestly, bands should ask Apollo Ghosts to teach a class on what playing live is all about, take some serious notes and ask a ton of questions.

 

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MP3:: Apollo Ghosts – Why Can’t They All Be Like You
Web:: http://moonsocket.bandcamp.com

 

Day of Glory – Apollo Ghosts (Live @ The Seahorse)

 

Money Has No Heart – Apollo Ghosts (Live @ The Seahorse)

 

Lightweight – Apollo Ghosts (Live @ The Seahorse)

 

Coka-Cola Admen – Apollo Ghosts (Live @ The Seahorse)