MORE GIGS

Back to GIGS

Doubleheader
at Mr. Beery's

by C.J. Teigue

I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I headed down to Mr. Beery's on May 27th to see Doubleheader perform. I have to admit, I was a little apprehensive. A few days before the show I checked the band out on their myspace page and as I listened to the song "Glass Figurines" I couldn't help but think of Taking Back Sunday. Not that that is a bad thing, but here's my dilemma: the whole emo thing, it has already been done. It was around years before Taking Back Sunday and arguably, the emo/post-hardcore bands from years back although less known, are creatively a lot better. Anyway, that is a whole other subject which my word count won't let me divulge.

Back to the topic at hand: Mike had told me about Doubleheader and said that the last time he saw them they had the place packed with people from the stage to the door. As I bopped my head to the music blaring from my computer speakers, I thought it couldn't hurt to see what all the fuss was about.

When I first arrived at Mr. Beery's, a band called The Bad Touch from Jersey was on stage. The bar was pretty bare, with only a few people hanging around trying to talk over the music which was a shame because The Bad Touch was really good. They reminded me a bit of The Vines and The Killers but with more edge and sincerity.

Doubleheader took the stage after a rare but impressive acoustic set by Long Island's All Grown Up. It was then that I noticed what Mike had been talking about: sometime in the middle of All Grown Up's performance to Doubleheader taking the stage, the place had become packed. I looked around and all I could see were bodies, the heat from which was almost stifling. I wasn't sure what to expect but their pull was impressive. About a minute into their set it didn't take long for me to realize why Doubleheader had such a pull.

Doubleheader

Consisting of four members from Farmingdale and Levittown, Timmy Fasano (lead singer), Taylor Brown (guitar/vocals), Alex McKay (drums), and John F. Buckley a.k.a "Bux" (bass), these boys put on an energetic, fun performance.

Their music, heavy with impressive guitar riffs and catchy hooks, is aided by Timmy Fasano's raspy and sometimes screechy vocal style. What stands out the most about Doubleheader when watching them live is the sheer charisma they exude. The energy these four guys have on stage is enough to get even the most skeptical listener interested in what is happening. Yet, there didn't seem to be a disinterested person in the crowd. Throughout every song and especially during "Look Out Below" every person in the crowd was eager to sing along with Fasano. It was an equal exchange of energy between artist and fan; each both a parasite and a host to the other's amusement.

Even if you were a first time listener unfamiliar with the lyrics, Doubleheader included in their songs lyrics from mainstream pop such as, Kelis' "Milkshake" and The Black Eyed Peas' "My Humps". Normally, this would've driven me crazy but it worked for Doubleheader. It didn't take away from their music, it added to the fun and appeal of it.

Overall, I must admit, my apprehension about Doubleheader was unfounded. They are extremely talented and a hell of fun to rock out to. Their music carries an appeal for both a teenage and young adult crowd.

They are wrapping up the recording of their EP with producer/engineer Michael Birnbaum and Chris Bittner who worked with Straylight Run. Whatever your opinion about the "emo" sound of today is, don't let that deter you from checking Doubleheader out at myspace.com/doubleheader where you can find dates for upcoming shows which is a must to attend.

Dave Christian CD Release Party
at Mr. Beery's

by Mike Ferrari

Dave Christian of the band Finally Balanced celebrated the release of his debut solo CD, The First, on June 24th at Mr. Beery's (4019 Hempstead Tpke., Bethpage).

The First is Christian's first full length solo CD project, and features the contributions of Buddy Cage from the New Riders of The Purple Sage on lap steel. Cage also plays on 5 other tracks on The First.

Opening the night was Alan Semerdjian who played some cuts from his new release. Christian followed playing a long solo acoustic set of songs off The First.

Dave Christian

Finally Balanced had a poet of a frontman named Billy Capozzi, and the band did a sort of a funky hard-rock and jam thing. They have played a lot of high profile gigs over the years and have been a staple at Mr. Beery's. Unfortunately Capozzi moved on but the band still plays out with Christian taking on the vocal duties these days.

Christian and Finally Balanced followed Dave's solo acoustic set with an electric set of FB.

Back to GIGS