Tuesday, 28 June 2011
White Denim gig w/ support act The Static Jacks
The Garrison, 1197 Dundas West, Toronto, Canada, 10 pm
White denim might be soooo 1994 [and were the cut-off shorts variety ever in?] but your iPod better be caught wearing the one hailing from Austin, Texas.
Get caught wearing this.
The Texan four-piece indie rock band, White Denim, took a while to warm up to the over-warm venue of The Garrison, despite it being 3/4 full. [Pls buy fans/air con/windows. Air is v v important to your patrons and life in general fyi.]
Vocalist, James Petralli, was difficult to hear at first though his range was better to be built up than for it to die down. His vocals didn’t take centre stage until personal fave, Street Joy. The chilled slow jam subsequently warmed up his chords and Petralli was flawless thereafter. You could tell close to the end of the set the heat of The Garrison took its toll on Petralli who constantly wiped his sweaty brow with a tired I’m-about-to-faint-why-isn’t-there-freakin-air-conditioning manner. He even asked the bar for some water. I hear ya, buddy. Petralli vocal shout-out to Don’t look at it that way, which showcased his building intensity, operatic dropdown and elongated tone. A mélange of Jeff Buckley and Wolfmother’s Andrew Stockdale – very tasty.
James Petralli
The best individual sounds spilled from the quick fingers of bassist, Steve Terebecki, and the kit of drummer, Joshua Block. Guitarist, Austin Jenkins, deserves facial kudos, his range from the continuous stare to the closed-eye smile had me entertained though he tried to blend into the back stage curtains.
Hehe.
Terebecki was front stage for a reason – his presence gave an energetic kick to the already enthusiastic gig. Case in point: ieiei. Block was all over his kit, with his beats really innovative, testament to White Denim’s sound overall. The constant bounce of the hi-hat, and sticks between second tom and crash leant an awesome beat. The drumming was excellent in all songs but was really appreciated in a live gig, as the guitars and vocals died down to let Block do his thang at the end of a song to lead time beautifully and seamlessly into the next tune. Stand out tunes Shake shake shake and I start to run were still recognisable.
Joshua Block
A big up to the flow of the set. There was very minimal gapping between each song, it was like listening to the one long sound that is White Denim. No cut-offs here. It’s just one big flare flair of the sound senses to ensure they’re worn in for a few more years to come.
PS Loved Terebecki and Block selling vinyl at the merch table at the start of the night, with Terebecki autographing them!
Set list
[Full set list, and hopefully video taken at actual gig, to come soon!]
[Photos courtesy of Cara Robb.]
