INDIANAPOLIS + THE GOODNIGHTS - Hustlers, Dundee 26-04-08
It was with a warm heart and an air of satisfaction that I turned up at this concert, for it was one of those nights where, barring unforseen problems (of which one did actually occur, but more about that in a minute), you knew before you went in that you were guaranteed a night of quality songs, played and sung with conviction.
You see, there is in this city, a select few bands that are what you'd call "album bands", the sort of band that the music industry used to love when it could justifiably call itself a music industry and not just, as now, an industry. The sort of bands who might be a tad faceless when it came to image, but the sort of band who could write and sell albums that would sell by th truckload sinec the songs to a tee, were radio friendly, in a Radio 2 sort of way, but with a youth crossover to those wanting something more varied and mellower - of which these bands are two prime examples.
Indianapolis were up first and they unleashed a couple of newer songs in what was a solid, consistent, well played set. Thanks to the Hustlers PA, you could pretty well hear all the lyrics that lead singer Andy was delivering - a nice change - while the songs were a right old mix of ballads, anthems and indie rock, yet every one a gem and nothing out of place. From the irresistible hooks, exquisite harmonies and lead vocals, spiraling guitar leads and flowing rhythm section that formed the basis of "Don't Stop" and the highly underrrated "Long LOst Love", through the powerful surge of "Private Eye" with its swirling rush of a hook, some dramatic, almost psychedelic, guitar leads and driving rhythm section work to songs that ranged from pop to epic, you just sat there and enjoyed everything they played, aware that if this set had been a studio album, it'd be occupying a place next to your player for a long and satisfying time to come. The whole band were on good form, and the vocals proved that Andy is a consistently excellent singer once he puts his heart and soul into the performance. They might not be the most fashionable band in Dundee, but they are among the best, and you can't argue with that!
The same could be said for The Goodnights, only here they plough a more direct furrow, being a band with more of an overt identity, so that while they might not be quite as varied as Indianapolis, they provide songs that, in a sense, are surprising by virtue of the fact that you know what you're getting, but it's positively timeless and even though it is in a similar dimension, you just want to keep listening to the songs they play. Which is lucky, all thing being considered, since the band was a member down for tonight's performance, but, as I said to them after the show, their songs are actually so consistent, that they pulled it off. Yeh, of course you noticed the gap, yet the band played and sang their selection of largely mid-paced yet solid and strong flowing songs, with vocals that wamred the cockles of your heart and still a sterling performance from the band as a whole. With every bit the sense of romance on occasion, combined with some more strident songsw, they put in a sterling effort to ensure that the songs lost as little of their magic as possible, and largely pulled it off.
So, there you have it - not much detail, I'll grant you, but just so satisfying to be there and enjoy, if that's what you want from a band. Two band guaranteed to give that "feels good to be alive" factor for possibly an older audience that's definitely out there - it's just a question of how to reach them!!