Afentra's Prom is an event put on by our local radio station, 96.5 the Buzz. They do several free shows each year, but I've had a tendency to shy away. When I think free, I think packed to the gills with drunks and freaks. I probably have this impression because one fateful morning I made the error in judgment and attended their Kegs & Eggs event to see Bush and ended up shoved like sardines in a can in a bar at 7 am for two hours on a hot Kansas City summer day. By the time the band started, I had to leave because I had a 10:45 appointment across town. So, I got to hear one song before leaving. I was about to stroke out anyway, so I was going to have to go one way another.
A friend from work assured me that their other events are not like that, so when I heard that they were having Fitz & the Tantrums in town for the show, I just HAD TO GO.
This week my other friend said she'd heard that Quiet Corral was playing first at the show. I have some of their music and like it. I've even been to one of their shows, but left before they took the stage (bad venue, couldn't hack it).
I got there pretty early...the show hadn't even started. QC took the stage first and IMMEDIATELY I was thrilled. These guys are great. They didn't play a huge set, but it was awesome. Don't discount them just because they still kind of fall in that "local band" category, they put on a great, professional show. I can't even really describe their show and give it the proper justice, but let me say that as a person who dabbled at playing drums, having a six person drum/percussion "solo" for your last song is pretty much the greatest thing on earth. My friends arrived mid-set. One friend, with whom I particularly love talking music with said "You love them don't you? I knew you would!" I was in heaven. After their set, I wandered outside where a complete stranger came up to me and exclaimed "I have no idea what band that was, but they were awesome!" I don't like strangers, but I ended up talking to him about the set for the next 10 minutes or so. We were so excited, we practically hugged it out as we parted ways.
Next band took the stage: Beware of Darkness. I've heard some of their stuff, but it didn't seem to flow smoothly from Quiet Corral, plus some of their songs seemed to stumble through. I'm not sure how well the guy can really play guitar or if those were the sounds he was going for. They have a bit of an 80/90s hair band sound to me. That's not an insult by any means, it just didn't fit the other music. I guess since the next band was The Lemonheads, maybe that tied them in a bit. I still like their songs, it just seemed to be a mismatch.
Next came The Lemonheads. I owned a Lemonheads CD way back when people knew who they were. My old roommate and I tried in vain to like The Lemonheads since that seemed to be the thing to do. I still haven't. The band is not bad, they just don't do anything for me. There is plenty of music out there that makes me happy; there is no need to listen to music that makes me not care about it.
Last to play was Fitz & the Tantrums. I have been really excited about this band since seeing them on Live from Daryl's House (see past blogs) and even downloading their stuff from Daytrotter. Besides loving their music, I have some sort of chemical reaction to Michael Fitzpatrick that I will not go into detail about, but just know it exists. Well, you couldn't have made this fat kid happier by taking her to a candy store because they put on an incredible show. I didn't want it to end.
They have a new album coming soon. Guess who has pre-purchased.... ;)
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