Go see Laura Stevenson and the Cans

laura-and-the-cansOh, you know how we saw Laura Stevenson and the Cans this weekend? Fantastic. It was nice to actually meet drummer Dave Garwacke (of If You Make It) in person after interviewing him last year, as the last time the group came through, he was sick as a dog in the back of the van. So, while Saturday night was the second time we’ve seen the band, it was our first time catching the full band, proper, since the Jackpot show last year had necessitated a rearrangement of band members. They’re a glorious quintet of pop.

Laura’s voice has all the range you’d expect from the band’s albums, and then some. It seems as if she’s filling the room every time she opens her mouth. The way the accordion’s earthy wheeze provides a counterpoint to her vocal sweetness is really quite astounding, as well. When “Halloween” ended, I was blown away, and I knew that the freak-out at the end was coming. The fact that the room wasn’t dead silent afterward just goes to show that some people don’t know talent when it’s right in front of them – or that they might want to pay attention to the band, rather than their style.

Laura Stevenson and the Cans are out of tour right the fuck now, and will soon be joining up with Roar and Andrew Jackson Jihad. Hopefully, they’ll be invading your town soon. If you see them, tell ’em I said hi. Oh, and ask them to do their cover of Archers of Loaf’s “Web In Front.” You won’t regret it.

Boom Chick, “Shake Can Well” 7-inch

cover-boom_chick_shake_can_well_singleThis weekend, we made the trek to Kansas City for a show. Actually, we made the trek to KC for a set. Laura Stevenson and the Cans had put out a call for help on Twitter a couple weeks ago, looking for a show to fill a whole in their schedule, and thanks to a TBA on the Record Bar’s schedule, Steve Tulipana was cool enough to throw them on the bill for Saturday night. After the wife got back from a baby shower thing, we hopped in the car and hauled ass down I-70.

We pulled into the Record Bar parking lot with about ten minutes before the Cans were supposed to go on, but things were running a little behind. This let us catch the opening act, Boom Chick. Maybe I’m being a little reductive, but the duo pretty much instantly reminded me of the White Stripes. Guy on guitar, woman on drums, playing bluesy garage rock? I don’t think I’m being unfair in that aspect, but honestly, Boom Chick goes further than than the icky thump of the Detroit pair.
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