I’m currently sitting at a little kids’ hockey tournament. This is not quite how I saw my life going, but here we are. It’s just part of the game when you get involved with someone who already has two kids. Honestly, for the first couple of years, I didn’t get super involved in the kids’ extra-curriculars, but I’m making an effort because, looking back on my childhood, that’s exactly what the bonus adults in my life would do. Sure, I don’t super love being up so early on a Saturday after being out so late at a show on Friday night, but I think I’ll manage if only because of the energy that all three acts gave me on Friday night at The Green Room.
The night started off super chill and calm with the lovely Covalent Blonde. There was something so perfectly smoky and sultry about the vocals that led the audience into a dreamlike trance of perfectly curated pop and R&B tones with no shortage of soul. The group opened up with a jazzy cover of “Yo Diggity,” originally by Blackstreet and featuring Dr. Dre. To say that this cover caught my attention would be an understatement, but it wasn’t because of the creativity behind Covalent Blonde’s take on the modern classic; it was because of the talent showcased. I loved watching this band’s members take a turn at what I can only assume was an improvised solo. From the bass to the guitar, everyone got their turn, and everyone nailed it, but it was keyboardist Kevin Gamble who really sparkled for me. I’ve been a fan of Kevin ever since the first time I saw him, and I just feel like he brings a certain dazzle to every stage and group that he plays with. Stylistically, Covalent Blonde was just a bit more pop and slow-moving for what I wanted for my Friday night, but, again, it was a gorgeous and truly dazzling set that helped ease everyone into the party that was about to come.
I recently caught Afters on a whim for their album release party at The Amsterdam Bar & Hall, so I was stoked to check them out once again. Although it’s only been a few weeks since my first interaction with this group, they gave me a completely different set on Friday. There was more razzle dazzle behind it with a bit more angst but still the same amount of dazzling talent and beauty. Stylistically, Afters is a bit Kesha-branded pop mixed with something more rocking but also more indie. Maybe the Kesha reference is only because I feel that this vocalist has a very Kesha look about her (and is absolutely stunning, sorry, not sorry), but I do think that there’s that same brand of “take no shit attitude” behind the majority of Afters’ songs. Although the music was great, and the visuals of this band being all dolled up in their Sundays best added to the magic, the best part about Afters’ set on Friday night was the way there were many songs where the audience was singing along. Afters is just a local band, but they are clearly a local band that means everything to some people here, and seeing that come to life was absolutely a beautiful highlight to an already stunning set.
Afters and Covalent Blonde gave the audience an amazing taste of the diversity that the Twin Cities music scene has to offer, and it was time to see what Montana could bring to the stage in the form of Desperate Electric. I was intrigued before this band even took the stage. Their t-shirts had a tagline of something to the extent of “hardcore disco” or “disco intense” or, I mean, come on, it said “Disco” something. I was intrigued and ready to be thrilled but wasn’t quite prepared for the sheer amount of thrill and fun that this duo brought to me.
The music of Desperate Electric is sex. I know that sounds almost abrasive and a bit weird, but it’s the best way I can even begin to describe it to you. I’m not one to dance much, but something about this group’s beat and overall disco vibe had my hips moving without my consent. At first, it felt a bit weird, but after a couple of beats, I gave in, and it turned my night into so much more than just a Friday night at a show– it was a party– a disco party. Watching the two members of this band interact with not only each other but also the way they got the audience to move. I mean, come on, any act that can get me to move these rigid hips clearly has a connection with everyone they are playing for.
I may be exhausted this morning, and I know I haven’t said everything I wanted to in this review, but, long story short, Friday night was absolutely perfect, and I was more than okay with my early morning, knowing that the exhaustion I would have to deal with was from such a flawlessly fun show.
Line Up:
Venue: The Green Room
Smell-O-Meter: Nothing Notable
Average Age of the Crowd: 28
Crowd Surfers- 0
Stage Divers- 0
Dance-ability- 11 out of 10
Amount of Beer Spilled On Me While Walking Around- 0
Broken Bones- None Noticed
Spotted Flying Through The Air- Nothing
Fights- None Witnessed
Pukers- 0
Passed Out People- 0
Idiots Taken Out By Security – 0
How Many Times I’ve Seen These Bands Before (or at least how many times I can remember)-
Covalent Blonde – 0
Afters – 1
Desperate Electric – 0
Celebrity Sightings – None
Overall Score – 8.5 out of 10
Show on Deck —Black Market Brass / Obi Original / room3
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