Any trio of morons can grow a mustaches, put on some tight pants, cut some bangs, pick up some instruments and call themselves a garage-rock band. But few hopefuls put out on the follow-through, which requires showing fans something they haven't seen before -- or something they have, but in a new and intriguing way. At
yesterday's All Shook Down Fest, the Oakland-based
Bare Wires proved they aren't just a trio of no talent, shaggy-haired morons. They proved they can rile a crowd, heat up a room, and fill it with good old fashioned rocking out.
Folks may have wandered in from the main stage to the dark back corner of Columbus Cafe on their way to use the bathrooms (unfortunately located almost directly adjacent to where bands were playing), but more than a few found themselves sticking around for the show. Bare Wires songs are distortion-heavy, but also have enough intricate rhythm changes and catchy melodies to keep things interesting. The thing that makes this band enjoyable to watch is that they look like they're actually having a good time on stage. By mid-set, frontman Matthew Melton's ladies' blouse was doused with sweat,
as were the walls of the club. He even did the whole wailing-on-guitar-while-writhing-on-the-ground thing, which arguably never gets old.
The energy that came from the stage was contagious -- especially in a venue that forces audience members in the front to pretty much get intimate with band members. And the dark intimacy of the venue itself felt appropriate, considering the garage-flavored roots of the music itself.
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