 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Vagenius/Kings of Leon
2/19/05 Newport Music Hall
Review and photography: Rob Kern
As the old saying goes, “Everything old is new again” and on Saturday, February 19th that statement certainly rang true. Take a slice of 80’s pop, mix it with some 70’s groove, 60’s garage-rock swagger and blend it with a modern approach and you have a Vagenius/Kings of Leon concert.
Openers Vagenius kicked off the night with a catchy showcase featuring their 80’s synth-based pop. A three-piece unit hailing from Los Angeles, Vagenius kept the crowd moving with a mix of electro-pop that paid homage to Missing Persons, Blondie and a hint of Dire Straits. Vocalist/synthesizer/bassist Juliette Commagere, keyboardist/guitarist Jared Smith and drummer Joachim Cooder may be 180 degrees apart from headliners Kings of Leon but it didn’t seem to bother those in attendance one iota. Vagenius is a trio to keep your eyes on, their originals have real flair in addition to memorable hooks; plus you’ve got to give bonus points for any band that does a synthesized pop version of AC/DC’s “Money Talks”.
Kings of Leon shifted things back a decade or so by kicking off the set with “Happy Alone” from their debut release Youth & Young Manhood. The Followill boys of Kings of Leon have a sound that is part 60’s era Stones, The Who with the rawness of The Stooges. Mix in a 70’s southern vibe and a touch of 80’s Clash and AC/DC and you are beginning to scratch the surface of the groove these young men crank out. Guitarist/vocalist Caleb Followill, looking like a young Malcolm Young, fired out the lyrics in his distinctive southern drawl while leading the band through a handful of songs from the first album before rolling out a few new songs from the then unreleased second disc (which came three days after the show).
The first few songs the band seemed a tad detached from the crowd and kept stage banter to a minimum. Playing a large number of new songs before they are released to the general public may have played a part in this. After a couple of tunes, Caleb Followill commented to the audience something to the effect of, “You guys are more into this than we thought you’d be…” Umm, thanks, I guess. No need for the band to worry as a good many of the fans must have heard sneak previews via the Internet as they were singing along word for word.
From that point on the band connected with the crowd and seemed to gain momentum and began pouring serious energy into new and old tunes alike. New songs such as “Pistol of Fire” and “Four Kicks” allowed guitarist Matthew Followill to get his ya-ya’s out while “Slow Night, So Long” and “King of the Rodeo” were given a workout by bassist Jared Followill and drummer Nathan Followill. Sandwiched in between were cuts from the first disc “Molly’s Chambers” and “California Waiting” which kept the crowd revved for more.
The band defied Columbus’ indoor smoking ban during the song “Trani” and many in the crowd joined the smoke-in. I can only imagine a rock world fifteen years from now where a performer’s ultimate act of rebellion will be lighting up a cigarette in a club or arena. Enjoy rock while you can, kids, the do-gooders are doing their best to save you from yourselves.
If Kings of Leon thought the crowd got into it tonight, they should make a return visit in about three months after rock fans young and old get a good southern sip of Aha Shake Heartbreak. While some fans argue over comparing them to newer bands such as the Strokes and Drive-By Truckers or older bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd and Creedence Clearwater Revival, all I know is, it’s only rock and roll and I like it.
Visit our message board!