Email
Print
FeedBand of Skulls on the rise
Every once in awhile, frequent concertgoers have the chance to see an opening act that’s not just on the rise, but seems capable of headlining a show on its own.
It happened several years ago for me when a young Keane, yet to release an album, opened for Travis in Toronto. Their pounding piano, no-guitar sound was bracing, and a few months later that blew up, State-side. Oasis has often featured openers on the cusp of greatness—Kasabian, Arctic Monkeys, Travis.
Last night’s Metric show at Town Ballroom was opened by a threesome from the U.K. named Band of Skulls, and it was a triumphant thirty-minute-or-so set, one that clearly won over the large Town crowd. “Garage rock” might be the category, but that band’s sound is not that limited; there seems to be a White Stripes influence, but there’s also a slightly space-y vibe, especially on set-closer “Impossible.”
This is a group that could make a real dent in America; having a song on the New Moon soundtrack helps, but it’s the quality of the songs that really could swing audiences its way. Gossip Girl appearance soon to come, I’m sure.
How good was Band of Skulls? SO good that the price of the band’s debut album, Baby Darling Doll Face Honey rose from $10 to $15 after its set. That’s good business.
