The Hundred Days were the first on stage, and the band delivered a set that unquestionably recalled the dark pop of The Cure (and, by extension, their many imitators). That being said, the band managed to deliver a dose of poppy darkness with enough of their own swagger and danceability.
On top of their unquestionable love of all things Robert Smith, the band also managed a guitar sound that unquestionably recalled early U2. Still, for all the sonic earmarks on their set, the band made it their own. They left us feeling less like they had used their influences as a crutch, and far more like they were paying tribute in the best way possible.
Music For Animals followed soon thereafter, with a set that was just as poppy and earnest in its delivery, but carved out a bit more of its own sound. It's difficult to characterize music as accessible as this as anything but "pop", yet the band had a rhythmic sense that made the jagged interplay of their guitars and drums uniquely distinct.
Frontman Jayson Martinovich unquestionably owned the stage, bolstered by a floor tom that he beat relentlessly, the singer brought a swagger to the stage that did a great deal to bolster the band's performance on stage. On top of that, the band had a mutual admiration that made their performance as fun for us as it clearly was for them.
At the end of the night, we left the venue with the distinctive sense of having just walked away from something far more anthemic, poppy, and earnest than we're used to, and that's certainly not a bad thing. By wearing their hearts on their sleeves, this pair of Bay area bands managed not only to deliver sets that were musically engaging, but induce a level of enthusiasm in the crowd that we haven't seen in quite a while.
For a taste of the show, check out the videos below!
Photos By Sarah Klinger
Video By Amie Gutierrez
