Frightened Rabbit + Oxford Collapse + Takka Takka

July 2, 2008 by Amanda  Send to a Friend

all photos: Lexie Moreland

Amanda missed Takka Takka. Lexie still took some photos.
Check it:

Now for the words+photos combo:

I saw Oxford Collapse for the first time two years ago when they opened for We Are Scientists (with whom they will be playing with again August 2nd, buy your tickets now!) They were wonderful then, and they are wonderful now, if not more refined. Their raw, yet polished garage band sound should be heard everywhere.

They opened with immense energy, and while unfortunately the crowd wasn’t as energetic – Oxford Collapse didn’t seem to notice. On tracks like Lady Lawyers, their harmonies, while still retaining that previously mentioned raw sound, have improved since the album, especially at the end of the song. On others their long drawls and yelps just brought the audience closer.

Mixed among oldies were new songs from BITS! BITZ! which is to be released in August. The Birthday Wars was one song that exemplified their ability to create an up-tempo beat while maintaining their slow melodies. They were really on their way during Molasses, a song that asks a supposed lover “Why can’t I pick the scabs off your legs?” which sure, is gross, but this is one of my favorites, since somehow the most unappealing things at first become endearing as we learn to love.

At a slow point between songs Mike mentioned Ben’s Chili Bowl, and well, we all know how awesome that place is. Now they do, too. They also now know that it’s not the best thing to eat before a show.
After another new song (I’m really excited for this new album, by the way, if you didn’t notice. I’m also upset that I couldn’t decipher all the names of the new songs from the set list) they gave Harry and the Potters a nod upstairs, “…no, no, they’re cool…” and strolled into Please Visit Your National Parks, a yelp-heavy ditty that wishes for a certain someone to be “standing right next to me.”

As they swooped to-and-fro on stage Mike managed to hold onto a classic rock sound on the guitar while Adam picked up a more experimental line on bass. After playing an explosive Volcano which they dedicated to all the “assholes and the pricks…(and) the virgins and the whores” (cheesy pun, completely intended) they decided to “get mature for a second” and fell into a dreamy, passionate Forgot to Write.
They closed with another new song and left the stage as each instrument’s sound died out leaving only Dan on the drums.

Somehow these boys from Brooklyn don’t have a bigger following. I hope that playing a sold-out show to an audience who came because Sunday Source told them to go see Frightened Rabbit will give them more exposure that they haven’t had, and maybe much deserved recognition. These guys play one hell of a show that exudes power, passion and complete and utter loss in the music they’re creating. Bands this real are few and far between. If you missed them last night, be sure to catch them in August or September (or preferably both).

I didn’t realize I was seeing Frightened Rabbit until I e-mailed Svetlana about the list and she said I would be on their’s. Then I saw them in the “Can’t Miss” section of the Source and braced myself for the unknown. Until last night I had never heard them.

They have a similar sound to Oxford Collapse’s, though slower, more articulate, and nervous. At the end of their first song Scott said, ”If it looks like we’re shitting ourselves, it’s because we probably are, we’ve never played to this many people.” I found this a bit hard to believe. I mean they’re from Scotland doing an American tour. His rambling about shit, and writing your name on the brick in his pants was not-so-quickly cut off by the guitarist leading into the next song.

Scott’s voice is strained and as such… it is also perfect. It’s accusations and stories flow and sweep and fill the room with a certain sense of contentment. Each song had a beginning, middle, and end. It would build, and climax, and end before you realized it was over.

As the set progressed they grew more comfortable on stage, even during the awkward silences. Scott would make friendly conversation with the audience and at one point Adam (of Oxford Collapse) muttered something that Scott caught – “If you’ve got something to say, share it with the whole class,” in an accent I’m sure most would have been fine listening to if there had been no music. Adam volunteered to sit in the corner.

When one person shouted “I love you!” during one of the aforementioned silences Scott shrugged, made a quizzical face and said, “I love you?” back.

Frightened Rabbit’s harmonies, especially those offered by drummer Grant (apparently it runs in the family) were sleepy and melodic; they play the type of music you can close your eyes to.
Do it.
Put on one of their songs (start with a slower one), stand up, and close your eyes.
Their music will grab you and take you to a not-so-unfamiliar place, but one you wouldn’t mind visiting again.

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