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Review Thu May 02 2013
Review: Palma Violets & Guards @ Schubas, 5/1
If a hype man were to inject himself into personal conversations between bands and compare people who stay toward the back to anyone who stood outside the Upper Room during the Last Supper, you might not think they'd be on tour with a young British garage/punk band. (Also, I'm pretty sure the Last Supper wasn't an open invitation.)
Over the last many months, the Palma Violets have emerged from the British music media machine with a hit single, well-received album and much praise for their live shows. Their jangly Brit-obvious garage-rock recalls more Libertines than others, but they aren't just copying a schtick. At Schubas last night, the band glided through 40 minutes that had moments displaying why they were signed to Rough Trade based solely on their show. The catchiness of "Best of Friends" and "Step Up for the Cool Cats" was undeniable and the band's enthusiasm amped up as the crowd naturally came around. The only real drawback was the organ's drop in prominence from where it is on the album. On 180, it plays a crucial role to keep the music loose, but last night it was like it'd been demoted. In fact, by the time Palma Violets closed with "14", both the organist and bassist had abandoned their instruments to join the dozen or so people from the crowd that'd made their way on stage to dance. Still, in a long line of bands coming from the British music factory, these fellows might just be onto something if they can harness what's gotten them this far.
Guards opened with a psych-rock tour de force with elements of early Mercury Rev and Spiritualized littered throughout. Singer Richie Follin often went with the guitar-on-top-of-head move and showered a talkative crowd with ambiguously sarcastic remarks like "Thanks for paying attention" and "It's truly been an honor." Their stage presence is a little raw, but there was absolutely nothing wrong with the music.
