Rather, they are a group that contains 6 English men/women and a Russian who sing energetic UK pop, and sing it well, at that.
Last Saturday I got to enjoy their music first hand. My husband’s extremely cool 15 year old nephew convinced his mother to bring him from Vancouver BC to Seattle for their show. We got there early so that Nicholas could get up front (good BOY!) and so got to experience the opening band, Parenthetical Girls, also.
Now, Parenthetical Girls was a tad strange, almost like performance art combined with music, but as their set continued I liked them more and more. The lead singer had a dry and sweet sense of humor and wit that I thoroughly loved and the music wasn’t half bad either.
The crowd was sparse at first but by the time Los Campesinos came out (11:30pm) the room had filled in somewhat. I think the late hour and long wait (the doors opened at 7pm) had sapped some of the crowd’s energy because it seemed to take 2-3 songs to tap into our reserves, but once the dancing started, it really never stopped.
The tunes were fun, fun, fun and solid musically but the best part of the show was that the band was obviously having the time of their lives.
Huge smiles on all faces, lots of jumping and bumping and camaraderie between the mates and, as it will, the undiluted joy leeched out into the audience, infecting us with their enthusiasm.
This kind of charm can’t be learned or pretended and I hope they keep it as they get more known and more successful…because they are going to get more known and more successful. There’s no way to hold this kind of potential energy under wraps. I feel pretty lucky to have experienced it at this level, in a small venue ½ full, for very little money.
After the show, the band mingled with the crowd, selling merch, signing autographs, just shooting the breeze. Nick got his CD signed and spent some time talking with the lead singer and one of the guitarists. There was no arrogance, no assembly line fan placating…just real appreciation for the kid and his love of their music. Nick will never forget it; he talked my ear off on our walk back home, repeating the highlights of the show, reading the notes they wrote on his CD. Very cool, just like the music. These guys are going somewhere, IMHO. At least I hope so; kids this nice and talented deserve it.
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They are Welsh, not English. I finally gave in to listening to them. They have put out a solid debut record, but it's pure sugar. Something to listen to now and then for the energy of it, but likely to get lost among the shuffle of other records.
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Welsh or English - they are British. Yes, we know the difference, however, the music is what's important and it sounds like they were a good band made up of fun members having a great time and giving the paying public a great performance. As far as their debut album goes, it's just the first. So, it's good that it's solid because when their others come out it will just show their maturation and growth. And, no, I haven't heard them, yet but I will give them a listen now, thanks to Amber's great review.
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Great post Amber. It sounds like a great time was had by all.
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I mean, there is a bit of a difference. I still think it's sugar, but that's not bad every now and then.
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Actually, the band is from Wales but the people are from England and Russia...so said the lead singer last weekend. So there :P
thanks Rick! I don't think these kids are the 2nd coming of the Beatles but I give credit where credit is due...the music is fun.
Mike: Great time was had, for sure!
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also, they have a second album out. The song I posted here is from the debut but earlier this year they put out "Now Hold On, Youngster"...also a solid, fun album
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Great review, and, as always, great pics. :) It is great when the band is having fun too. It can make a world of difference. Glad to hear they were nice to their fans too.
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actually, all music only has Hold On Now, Youngster... listed as an album. Sticking Fingers into Sockets was an EP. I'm one of those people who don't count EPs as albums. Unless you talk about the Cool Kids, who thought 10 songs was the right amount for an EP. I think that clears it up.
Aside, there's a live jazz band on MSNBC?
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Thanks Mike and I agree; when the band is having fun, we all have fun. I was a bit worried when the venue wasn't full, that the band would get disheartened but they certainly didn't seem to. Plus, many many in the crowd were dancing their fool heads off, so the energy was high, even if the attendance wasn't
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Oh..thank you for clearing that up...
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Glad you had so much fun with Los Campesinos! I have seen them three times now, and they just keep getting better and better. Last time was a few weeks ago and I felt they had more control over their instruments and had more courage to roam a bit instrumentally within the limits of the song. One thing I also really like is that they have songs that go 4+ minutes, but also little bursts of about 2 minutes, which really does great things for the pacing of the gig. And with "You! Me! Dancing!" and "Sweet Dreams, Sweet Cheeks" they've got two major, major songs. Not only was the third time seeing them not boring, it was actually better than the previous two times. :)
And yeah, they seem like great lads! I exchanged a few words with the guitarist Tom, and he's a nice lad. Always great, because no matter how exciting the gig was, those things are always made better when the band members are nice. Good to hear you and Nick had such a good time. :)
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You! Me! Dancing! was a riot...everyone was, well...dancing. It was an obvious crowd favorite.
Los Campesinos! does seem to be a young group, stretching their music muscles. I'm sure they have grown a lot already and I doubt they are done. I personally think it's nice I managed to find them before they're polished.
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You! Them! What a review! And the pics! I love well-behaved musicians (but only musicians, everybody else has to be rude har har har)! Thank you, lady!
PS Nicholas will be a life long music lover.
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Do you ever take bad pictures, Amber? Really, it is amazing how you always seem to have the perfect spot and the keenest eye to capture the energy and vibes of a gig.
I must say LC!'s music has yet to coax my cochlear implant but it's getting there thanks to the energy and joy of our words.
Merci bien, très chère Amber.
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Anna! You! The SWEETEST! Thanks, darlin'
BTW, I didn't say they were well behaved only that they were nice. I wish I had some stories about them misbehaving nicely, but I was actually well behaved so I don't. hee hee.
P.S, I certainly hope Nicholas always loves music. At the moment, he is taking guitar lessons (and has for the past 5 years) and wants to either be in a band or write for Spin...
Michael...I take SO MANY bad pictures...If I get 10 good ones, I'm thrilled. But you make me blush....awww shucks. LC! may not be everyone's cup of tea...but for energy and as a nice snack, they get my toe tapping.
lei è benvenuto, mio dolce
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What a great opportunity, to see a band on the ascent from such close quarters. I think that as they continue to grow, they're going to do some amazing things musically, and I can't wait.
And thanks again for the pictures.
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It would only have been better if you had been with me, brother. xoxo
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Awww! sniff