THE RETRIEVER April 12, 2005 17 Features Almost rocking Recher theatre: Carbon leaf is an okay band JOE HOWLEY “Indian Summer,” though with the album – but in terms of the general sensation of lis- Retriever Editorial Staff out since last July, that might be pushing it. tening to a blur of crooning and tootling and No one is complaining, because they do rocking for an hour or so in a smoky room It can be a disappointing sensation to rock live. Barry Privett has the whole I-don’t- full of kids in solid-colored collared shirts realize, halfway through a concert, that the need-no-damn-instruments thing down, and baseball caps. Which is not as bad as it band’s songs are starting to sound pretty swaying and wandering when he isn’t singing sounds. much the same. But that’s okay, when it’s a in that sweet, not-quite-accented voice. He The opening band, The Navigators, was sound as good as Carbon Leaf’s. provides the occasional pennywhistle solo at a musical act of little remark. Rock stars who The Virginia band played at Towson’s just the right moment, whipping it out and skipped the part where they play really good Recher Theater on March 31 to a reasonably tucking it away in a flash. music, these New Yorkers seemed a bit out of large crowd jammed into the venue’s odd It’s not that Carbon Leaf songs are indis- place in Towson, bantering awkwardly with elongated shape. They played for over an tinguishable from one another, exactly, but the audience, or, really, with themselves. hour, combining their traditional hits (think the Celtic-flavored rock sound is very… con- Their music, in the same vein as Carbon “The Boxer”) with newer and less well- sistent. Every band member’s performance is Leaf’s but less Celtic-y, is straightforwardly known material. Technically, Carbon Leaf is solid: Jordan Medas’s jazzy bass, Carter bland. Their saving grace is an upright still on tour for their most recent album Gravatt’s mandolin (which, along with bassist who rocks out far harder than anyone Privett’s pennywhistle, gives the band its dis- else on stage – and looks good doing it. tinctive sound), Scott Milsted’s drumming Someone might want to let them know that and, of course, the rhythm guitar of cuddly if you have to tell the audience to jump up Terry Clark, who gives hope to every guy and down, they probably won’t want to any- who dreams of becoming a rock star without way. first becoming an anorexic indie boy. Carbon Leaf still puts on a good show Carbon Leaf’s lyrics are nothing to write and puts out good music. They encouraged your philosophy professor about, but again, the audience to buy “Indian Summer” and consistency is the key. Themes of love and a make copies for their friends, which is a great sort of puzzled wonder at the world abound. attitude, especially given that this reporter Perhaps the Carbon Leaf experience should can’t quite bring himself to spring for their be considered not so much in terms of indi- music… but still loves to listen to it. Courtesy of carbonleaf.com vidual songs – though they do have some real Courtesy of carbonleaf.com Solid player: Scott Milsted provides Carbon Leaf gems, like “On Any Given Day,” Joe Howley is the Managing Editor at the Singer, pennywhistler: Barry Privett’s scarf- with percussion. “Changeless” and “What About Everything?” Retriever. He can be reached for comment at enhanced voice carries the band. High flying tunes: Eagles of Death Metal hits Black Cat DARLA MERCADO for the Eagles of Death Metal,” to mind double bass drumming and guitar Retriever Senior Staff Writer Hughes declared, strutting around riffs, the music, which can only be described as on stage in a form-fitting blue butt-shaking rock n’ roll, got the crowd danc- Of all the catchy sayings in the world, who denim jacket-and-jeans set, “I just ing and brought out some sinful booty-shaking would think that “Boot scoot!” would be the love it when they come out to see from Hughes (as well as from most of the most effective? Nevertheless, this was the saying us and how they get all dolled up.” women in the crowd): “Shake that ass!” a girl of the day at the Eagles of Death Metal’s con- He ended this sentence with a grin screamed from the front, while Hughes boo- cert at the Black Cat in Washington, DC. The and a wave to a girl in the front gied to “Flames Go Higher.” show, which took place on Wednesday, April row. Even though Hughes was For the final song, Hughes announced, “If 6th, kicked off with the Whips, a band that was quite partial to the ladies, he you ladies feel like dancing up on stage with us, totally appropriate for the seedy bar atmos- received a whole lot of attention come on up.” At least ten women clambered up phere of the Black Cat. With lyrics that con- from the men. “Make it magical on stage, some being pushed up by their sisted of “Yeah!” being shouted over and over with unicorns!” a burly guy with a boyfriends, others clawing their way up, and by the group of four, the Whips’ music seemed faux handlebar mustache in the still others pulled on by Hughes himself. When ideal for drunken sing-alongs. The crowd, clad audience yelled, “Lay some he felt he had a sufficient number of dancers, in vintage track jackets and sporting thick destruction on us!” Hughes broke into “Speaking in Tongues.” glasses with black frames, warmed up slowly to While Hughes clearly took the Unwilling to put his flirting on hold for even a the opening band, giving half-hearted cheers cake for stage presence, he was also minute, Hughes kissed the hands of a few for the first half of the performance and break- quite partial to his band mates, dancers between words, and even O’Connor ing into raucous applause for their final num- demanding copious applause for egged the girls on, nodding and encouraging ber them: “Let’s hear it for B.O.C them to go all out on stage. To thank the girls The men (and woman) of the hour fol- [bassist Brian O’ Connor], Darlin’ for performing, Hughes kissed several of them lowed this humble opening act. The Eagles of Dan [guitarist Dan Catching], and on the cheek as they jumped off the stage, star Death Metal opened with “Bad Dream Sweet Sexy Sam [drummer struck and ecstatic. A perfect ending to a per- Mama,” a song off their latest release Peace Love Samantha Maloney, who once was fect show, the band bowed together deeply Death Metal. Front man and guitarist Jesse in Hole].” Hughes boot-scooted before walking off to the tune of thunderous “The Devil” Hughes flirted up a storm with the and writhed across the stage while cheers and applause. women at the front of the crowd, giving a wink playing songs such as “English here and a grin there to several lucky females Girl,” “Stuck in the Metal,” and “I Darla Mercado is a senior staff writer for the Darla Mercado [Retriever Staff] who immediately swooned once he turned his High flying: Eagles of Death Metal sunk their talons into the Only Want You.” Despite the fact Retriever. She’s available for comment at attention their way. “Every night is ladies’ night Black Cat. that the band’s name itself brings [email protected]..