Saturday, (SCENE) Metrospace, 110 Charles St., hosted an event that showcased three Michigan-based bands as part of its long-running Saturday night concert series. Director and curator Peter Richards said more than 100 performances have been held at the alternative art and performance space since the series started in 2004. "We like to showcase the local musicians that are doing something a little out of the ordinary," Richards said. Saturday night's show featured the sounds of A Paschal Circus, Kinetic Stereokids and The Break-Ups with a $5 cover and a guaranteed alcohol- and smoke-free environment. The State News was there to review the bands.
A Paschal Circus
3 stars
This Grand Rapids-based experimental indie rock band held its ground Saturday night with only two of its four members performing. Adrian Wilson (drums) and Chris Sommerfeldt (guitar and vocals) made up for the missing band members with a full, powerful and upbeat sound.
The duo showed great precision and control that was both fun to watch and pleasing to the ear.
In each song, the guitar and drums complemented each other well, and Sommerfeldt added to the up-tempo, loud rock sound with his raspy, Tom Waits-like voice. However, the lyrics were very difficult to understand, and the ones I did hear weren't very striking.
Kinetic Stereokids
4 stars
This modern psychedelic rock band showed off its musical abilities through its undetected improvisation and overlapping multitude of sounds. The four-member Flint-based band that features rhythm guitar, lead guitar, bass, drums, sound machines, a xylophone and vocals, proved to be the ultimate jam band. The band's manipulation of sounds sent the audience on a journey through a collection of emotions. At times, the music was cool and soothing, but then it would crescendo into full-out rock. This is a band to see live, there is no doubt about it. It's truly an experience because each member is in his own world and the music sends you into your own.
The Break-Ups
3 stars
The Break-Ups celebrated the release of its second studio album "Skulls and Stuff" Saturday night while also proving through its performance that its alternative rock songs are comparable to those featured on the radio.
The Lansing-based group's punchy rock sound was overlapped by pleasing harmonies and soothing lead vocals by Timmy Rodriguez. It even did a cover of Foo Fighters' "Hey, Johnny Park!," which didn't rival the Foo Fighters' version, but the potential was definitely there. Catch the band's next performance on Sept. 1 at The Rendezvous, 226 E. Grand River Ave. in Lansing.