By Ryan Broderick, Editor-at-Large
Sunday, November 22, North Carolina band Jonas Sees In Color headlined at the University. Opening were Long Island local band and University students Sweet Hollow Drive and New York trio Lights Resolve.
Sweet Hollow Drive was the youngest act, but definitely held its own as far as technique and tightness. Its songs were simple enough emo/pop send-ups that alluded to bands like The Early November and Blink 182. Unfortunately the group didn't really seem to reach their stride until the middle of their set. Instrumentals were strong but bassist and singer Alex Glover couldn't really get the hang of commanding their songs. Drummer Danny Ensanian though, was easily the highlight of the group, filling the empty space with crackling post-hardcore beats atypical of most emo bands.
Lights Resolve went on second and for some ungodly reason they continue to play here. Do people like this band? It's illegal to watch live sex acts on stage at a college, but if I had to venture a guess as to what it would be like to watch a grown man masturbate at teenage girls, Lights Resolve's set would be close. Every song ripped off a Clash song so poorly that if Joe Strummer had had the misfortunate of hearing them he'd probably opt to die again.
Finally, Jonas Sees In Color came on and definitely livened up the whole night. Their sound is an oddly eclectic mix of The Hush Sound, The Starting Line, Panic At The Disco and at some points Lynyrd Skynyrd. Their southern pedigree was more than apparent, but at the same time it carried with it a refreshing nonchalance and sense of humor. They seemed to be taking the lukewarm crowd in stride and more concerned with sounding tight and having a good time than showy moves and puff-chested bravado. They were a refreshing reminder that energy and genuine love of playing out-do anything else when it comes to a live show.
And when it comes to a live show all you can ever ask for are bands that actually give enough of a shit to craft a genuine performance. It's just too bad that separating Sweet Hollow Drive and Jonas Sees In Color, who actually care, was a bloated, dancey, self-indulgent blemish.
Jonas Sees in Color frontman gets up close and personal with crowd (Photo Courtesy of flikr.com)