Picture yourself in hell, a place illuminated by nothing save a red hot raging fire. Everywhere you look, you see only icy black shadows or scalding red flames. Now, transport yourself to Club Hell in Providence, engulfed in the same hellish luminance, but without the blistered skin or the souls of the damned. In your hand is a camera, and you're hoping to get some cool images of the evening's entertainment. Good luck to you.
The stage lighting during Thursday's show was not very friendly to cameras, unless you didn't mind spoiling the mood with flash. Rather than spoil the mood, the images accompanying this article are dark and bathed in hellish tones. They won't win any awards. Consider them ambiance.
The entertainment began at 9 PM, as Funeral Party took the stage. After a few minutes of sound checks and finger-points designed to up the decibel level until the walls reverberated with just the right amount of echo, the band quickly gained control of the room. Funeral Party -- it's an apt name for a band playing at a venue called Club Hell. Swathed in that fiery light, the set was high-energy, with powerful performances that left the audience ready for more. From first song to last, the band gave their all as vocalist Chad Elliott rocked the room with fevered renditions of some of the band's more popular tunes.
And now... right here on our stage... New Politics!
Enter New Politics. Hailing recently from Denmark, these Brooklyn-based rockers are quickly gaining popularity, and it's no wonder. The high-energy of the group's current hit, Yeah Yeah Yeah combines perfectly with the even higher-energy antics of lead singer David Boyd as he cavorts around the stage, climbs onto anything within reach, and finishes in a headstand, legs shooting straight up to the stars. Audience participation reached an almost frenzied state during the chorus of Yeah Yeah Yeah, as the roomful of rockers shouted the refrain, mantra-like, fists punching the air above their heads. Can you say eighties rock? Nineties rock? The music may be reminiscent in some ways, but it's a good reminiscing.
New Politics' self-titled debut album was released last month. Check it out.
The current tour continues in cities like Boston, Vermont and New York. Keep an eye on both of these bands. They'll be around for a while!
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