Audio By Carbonatix
The Dewars & The Band in Heaven
Friday, September 10, 2010
The Vagabond, Miami
The Review:
There were quite a few people that made an hour-plus trip from Palm Beach to the Vagabond last night in support of two of their own local bands — a beautiful display of suburban solidarity — since Palm Beach County is a mystery to most of us.
Sure, we’ll make the trek a few times a year for an overpriced show at Cruzan, but it’s mainly just a reference point on a long road trip — eighty miles to go or eighty miles down. Nevertheless, it’s kind of cute when people from Palm Beach say they’re from South Florida. Yes, technically they are, but we’re worlds apart.
Shortly after midnight, Twin brothers Zach and Anthony Dewar casually
walked on stage with their band and kicked things off with “Single
Jingle.” The interesting thing about the Dewars was their ability to tell
a story without captivating much stage presence. With tracks like “Pedophile
Pete” and “If the World Was Gonna End Today,” the music was catchy and
often bizarre, but you’re left wondering, “What the hell was that about?”
The brothers showed little emotion both on stage and off. They’re serious
musicians, but they’re not fun. The Dewars are a Palm Beach band through
and through, from the way they dress, to the music they play — twangy,
psychedelic indie folk rock.
The Band in Heaven was the complete opposite. They brought a more
familiar brand of danceable indie pop rock that Vagabond folks could vibe
with a little more ease. The two-piece group, Lauren Dwyer and Ates
Isildak, were testing out a new drummer last night. From the moment
the band walked on stage, a group of dolled-up artsy girls in pencil
skirts and high heels began dancing their hipster asses off.
The band felt more comfortable interacting with the crowd than the
Dewars, and joked about how far they had travel to get to Vagabond. “It
took us six days to get here,” Isildak told the crowd. “Help us get
back home.”
The band wrapped up their set with a cover of “Dreams” by the
Cranberries, and it was pretty epic. The crowd loved it, and chanted, “One
more song.” Dwyer responded, “We don’t have any other music,” and
the DJ put the needle on the record.
–Victor Gonzalez
Critic’s Notebook
Personal Bias: I’m a sucker for indie shoegaze pop rock.
Random Detail: If I ‘d invested in PBR, Parliament Lights, and
horn-rimmed glasses two years ago, I’d have a private jet on 24-hour
stand-by.
Overheard in the Crowd: During the Dewars, some guy standing next to
me said, “Fuck this, let’s go home and smoke a bowl” to his buddy. I
wish.
Set List:
The Dewars
Single Jingle
Strange Change
If the World Was Gonna End Today
Bulls & Bears
Pedophile Pete
All the People
Noise Boys
The Band in Heaven
High Low
Summer Bummer
Goodbye Horses (cover)
Tunnel Into Your Dreams
Untitled #2
Untitled #1
Dreams (cover)
