So I saw Mates of State at their concert yesterday night in Toronto. And they sucked. Well, it's not like they were bad (as the headlining band of a concert is the headlining band for a reason) . . .
but, I just felt uninspired. The songs were upbeat but lacked that enthusiasm that can only come from the band's primary members. During their sets, the person with the most enthusiasm was their backup violinist/xylophone guy who infused life into a listless performance.
I'm not gonna lie, I like it when a band makes casual banter with the audience. However, the depth of the few transactions between the masses and the husband-and-wife team consisted of her informing us of our supposed rivalry between Montreal. Thanks?
The set decorations were cool though. I loved the Japanese lantern theme and the best part is they totally provided more entertainment value than they were supposed to.
Halfway through their set, the string holding up the lantern on the right side broke. And so the lantern was held up by precariously by resting on the light fixture inside the ball. And every so often, it would twitch and shift and I swear it was all-of-a-sudden going to come down and hit the drummer in the face. But alas, my divination did not happen and the lantern stayed put until the end.
The highlight of the night for me were these guys:
The lead singer.
Black Kids!
And the other thing I love about Black Kids was this guy:
'Black Kids' is a band from Jacksonville, FL, and they freaking rocked! Their songs are the type of songs you just have to dance to; their upbeat, 80s-style beats and bops (and outfits!) were stimulating. It was like brain candy.
I seriously think these kids are gonna be big(/ger than they already are!). When Pitchfork gives your first EP a rating of 8.4/10 and lists it as #68 in their 'Top 100 Tracks of 2007', you know you've hit the spot.
They're the type of band I know I'll one day say: "yeah I saw them back when they were touring after their first album and were like small." Keep it up you guys!
And the other thing I love about Black Kids was this guy:
The lead singer.
He had this non-chalant, laid-back, 'I don't give a fuck' attitude that lent heavily to the band's coolness factor.
Other things that lent to the band's cool were:
- Ali Youngblood's glasses
- the bassist's arms and facial expressions
- the fact that their banter contained the words "deflowered" and "29 year-old virgin"
On a side note, I spoke briefly with one of the keyboardists from the group after the show as I was curious about what the differences between the two keyboards were and she was so nice in her response. I then scampered awkwardly out of the room as it was starting to fill with people and I felt bad because I wasn't buying anything.
That being said, my one regret: not buying Black Kids's album and potentially getting band members to sign it. Oh well, another time
. . . and I'm sure they'll be back.
