Japandroids End Tour in Joyful Rage @ Maxwell's 10.27.10

By: Kiani Angus-Torres

Japandriods - Wet Hair

Canadian rock duo Brian King and David Prowse The Japandroids, ended their 250 show tour at a nearly sold-out Maxwell’s (on a school night!?) on Wednesday.  Brian, on guitar, creates what would be an insurmountable wall of sound, were his not for his simple and sentimental lyrics, with David’s hard and heavy drumming.  Instead of alienating with distortion, their mix is engineered such that the melodics are penetrating, giving a full- body tinnitus (in a good way), while the post-emo style vocals are audible and articulated -- nothing is drowned out, all is afloat. 

The Japandroids opened their set with “The Boys Are Leaving Town,” which seemed a nod to a certain Thin Lizzy song, and whose words are simply “The boys are leaving town, now […] will we find our way back home, whoa!” Their lyrics offer the kind of sincere transparency New Jersey could only dream of from its politicians.  Their sentimental “Younger Us” sings:

“Remember when we had them all on the run/ And the night we saw midnight sun/ Remember saying things like we'll sleep when we're dead/ And thinkin’ this feeling was never gonna end” 

It’s these kinds of unimposing, relatable songs that are compelling, without being too heady.  They offer a perfect contrast to the heavier things we’re trying to escape at a good rock show.

The crowd was all joyful rage, bouncing more and more with each song towards a final full-on mosh pit.  Towards the end of the set, Brian compelled the audience to carry their driver and merch guy in “…the sickest crowd surf Maxwell’s has ever seen.”  Indeed, it was.  He was passed and turned throughout the room for nearly the full duration of the song, so effectively that at one point he had his hands behind his head, at ease.

The Japandroids simplicity is economical and refreshing; one guitar, one drum kit, words we can hear and sing along to, and a lot of heart and soul.  The whole crowd left with an electric throb last night.  This is baby making music for folks who love to mosh, and stage dive. 

Comments

[Pat]

One of the few lo-fi bands I can actually get into

[Gnargusto]

The "electric throb" I got last night was my ears being blown the fuck out. Was it really necessary to mic the four large amps Brian plays with in a club as small as maxwells? I know it's all about his guitar tone but it seemed excessive and made it sound overall "muddy." That being said, I enjoyed myself but was a little disappointed in the sound. Brian's energy makes up for a lot though.

[nb]

if it's too loud you're too old bro

[viv]

Maxwell's can definitely be too loud. Especially if you're standing all the way to either side in the very front.

[Gnargusto]

There was plenty of "kids" years younger than me with their fingers in their ears. I've been to louder shows but they were at bigger venues that could sustain it. I like loud. A matter of fact, I'm a strong proponent of loud but you shouldn't compromise the fidelity in doing so.

[Pat]

fuzzy indie bands always insist on being extremely loud. It can be cool, but at a place like Maxwell's I can see it being annoying.