Lab coat. Goggles. Dark synthesizers. If there was ever a band that fits the show review requirements for Amateur Chemist, it would be The Faint. Fasciinatiion is the latest effort from The Faint released on their own label blank.wav records that oozes and drips with synthesizers, glitchy electronic blips and bludgeoning beats.
Shy Child
The keytar is making a come back. Dragonforce, and Mute Math are just a few of the bands I have recently spotted rocking the keytar. Shy Child can be added to the list of keytar warriors as they rocked out with a synth heavy set as a two piece band. Sonically, I would venture to say it was as if No Age played keytars instead guitars. Pete Cafarella (Keytar/Vocals) wielded his wireless Roland AX7 like a weapon as it was connected to a Nord rack as he simultaneously played bass and lead. Shy Child is touring behind "Noise Won't Stop" which is an assault of synthesizers and drums. Check out "Drop The Phone" for a good example of their synthesizer madness.
Jaguar Love
The only information I knew about Jaguar Love was the members were formerly in Pretty Girls Make Graves and The Blood Brothers. Johnny Whitney (Vocals) was a furious ball of energy emoting his high pitched vocals in a fashion similar to such bands as Coheed & Cambria and Mars Volta. I did spot a Dave Smith Prophet and Nord Electro 2 in their keyboard setup but the songs were driven by the blaring guitars of Cody Votolato (Guitars). Jaguar Love is touring in support of their debut album Take Me To The Sea. Johnny's voice is so characteristic and unique that it also serves as a polarizer in that you either love it or hate it.
The Faint
The Faint took no prisoners from the moment they hit the stage. I was immediately lamenting the fact that I didn't have tickets to the next night at the Henry Fonda as they had sold out both nights. "Agenda Suicide" whipped the dance floor into an instant frenzy as Jacob Thiele (Keyboards) pounded out the sinister synth line on his Nord Lead 3. Todd Fink (Vocals) acted the part of a mad scientist as he frantically worked the stage with a sense of paranoia. "Dropkick The Punks" kicked you in the face with its fat round bass line as a slew of visuals raced across the screen enhanced by an intense flickering light show. "Forever Growing Centipedes" had the stage lit up in green lights augmented by a super heavy fuzz bass line. Swooning violin samples gave way to the crackle and pop of the furious hypnotic groove of "Desperate Guys". Todd would feverishly wave his microphone to add an organic tremolo effect to his vocals. The Faint took no prisoners from the moment they hit the stage. I was immediately lamenting the fact that I didn't have tickets to the next night at the Henry Fonda as they had sold out both nights. "Agenda Suicide" whipped the dance floor into an instant frenzy as Jacob Thiele (Keyboards) pounded out the sinister synth line on his Nord Lead 3. Todd Fink (Vocals) acted the part of a mad scientist as he frantically worked the stage with a sense of paranoia. "Dropkick The Punks" kicked you in the face with its fat round bass line as a slew of visuals raced across the screen enhanced by an intense flickering light show. "Forever Growing Centipedes" had the stage lit up in green lights augmented by a super heavy fuzz bass line. Swooning violin samples gave way to the crackle and pop of the furious hypnotic groove of "Desperate Guys". Todd would feverishly wave his microphone to add an organic tremolo effect to his vocals. Dapose (Guitars/Bass) and Joel Petersen (Bass/Guitars) alternated between guitars and bass throughout the night incorporating Fender Basses and a Fender Jagaur into the mix.
The heavy vocoder laced "The Conductor" dripped with seductive synth lines and heart racing drums by Clark Baechle (Drums). Jacob obliterated the stereotype of stagnant keyboard players as he was stationed directly in the middle of the stage dancing, clapping and singing along. I interviewed Jacob a few days before the concert and will post his interview soon. I thought The Faint had front loaded their set with good songs but when "Paranoiattack" started to pump throught the soundsystem and the crowd went bonkers. I even spotted a concertgoer on top of the PA system dancing along before the Henry Fonda security hastily waved them off. "The Geeks Were Right" was the next logical choice as the crowd continued to dance as the temperature in the Henry Fonda was above boiling. "Glass Danse" devastated as many of the fans in the balcony got up to dance as well as spilling into the aisles to get their groove on. This show ranks very high for the best use of synthesizers in a live setting.
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