Concert Review: Copper Thieves, Royal Bang @ Berkley Front

So I made it to the Berkley Front late and unfortunately missed Allan James & The Cold Wave, but I did manage to catch the somewhat retooled Friendly Foes.  They recently added a couple of new tunes to their lineup, as well as a new drummer Sean Sommer (from Allan James & The Cold Wave.)  I for one could not even hear the drummer difference; hell if anything they sound better, and I really dug the new tune that Liz Wittman was singing on (she’s one of the best pop rock vocalists around.)

Next up was out-of-towners Royal Bangs (Knoxville, Tennessee.) Now I’m not sure how our local purveyors of stellar out-of-town music Eatthiscity.com didn’t mention these guys this past week, but I for one was simply blown away by Royal Bangs’ live set. Their performance; which featured five guys – two of which had impressive  mustaches and played guitar on the floor in front of the stage, brought a live dance rock energy that’s cut by the same mold as The Rapture or Dan Deacon. Royal Bangs simply brought the house down and I’m sure several of the head-bobbing patrons picked up a CD or two (did anyone see them at the Elbow Room this past Wednesday night?)

Finally, the night was topped off with MCR favorites the Copper Thieves.  This was my first time see these guys live so I was interested in seeing how the live energy of their latest album From Way Out To Way Under was going to translate on stage.  Well I’m glad to write that Andy, Christian and John did not disappoint.  Their arena, dueling vocal and guitar style rock was fantastic live (as a reference, they bring elements of My Morning Jacket and wrap them into Pavement style wrapper.)  Add in the recent addition of Tony Rochon (Back In Spades) on Fender guitar and organ, and these guys rocked in a quintessential fashion that left me wanting more - especially to see laryngitis plagued Tony Rochon sing (we’re told that he has a “beautiful” voice.) Don’t miss Copper Thieves next outing at the Belmont on May 16th with The Singles and WCTM Gold.