Keelhaul, The Riot Room, 11/3/10

[land it74]

Keelhaul was a recommendation from the boards here, so I checked into them about a year ago and was immediately impressed. They were the 2nd to last act of four bands that played the venue. Groups included a local band (who's name I can't recall) of shoe-gazer rock instrumentalist that played with lot of delay and other guitar ambient effects. OK but couldn't completely hold my attention.

The next group was a curious trio from Wisconsin called Call Me Lightning. They provided the audience with a dose of lo-fi music that had bits of punk, bits of pop, bits of something that sounded like a peppy rock-laden march/chant on caffeine. I wasn't into them at first, but began to warm up to their alternative/indie rock hooks. Interesting, though, I'm not likely to follow them loyally.

The featured act of the night was Russian Circles. The bass player had a notable (now defunct) side project called These Arms Are Snakes which I became a fan of, so naturally I wanted to hear some of their set after Keelhaul. They're definitely of the prog-rock, cinematic and ambient element of the genre. No vocals. Just the calm-before-the-storm of heavy bass booms, guitar riffs and prog-rock rhythms. I've not yet completely pledged adoration to similar acts like Pelican, Isis, Mogwai, but elements of Russian Circles is interesting.

The band that did feed the need for groove was Keelhaul. A bunch of middle-age guys who made their set-up and set fairly short. Just when you thought a bunch of old dudes were gonna keep it mellow, they fired up the evening with heavy, urgent mathematical ROCK! Half their music is pure instrumental complexity that is amazing, but doesn't lack that driving stoner-rock like rhythm! The other is a vocal attack a from-the-gut snarl that sounded a little more fierce than some of Page Hamilton's classic vocalizations. Just like Page, I get the sense that at their ages, they're doing this to have an excuse for fun (and beer). I indeed enjoyed the witty undertones in their performance. Who wouldn't love a rock band with a song title like Jackadaisical Chinese Tubesocks! I don't know if they played that particular track, but I recommend checking out their show whether you know their material or not.

[nataskaos]

I love Russian Circles and will be going to see them tonight here in Indy!
But I LOVE shit like Red Sparowes, Mouth of the Architect, Cult of Luna, intronaut, etc.

Good to know the show was worth attending. I planned on going anyway, but this is a good preview.