"Muerta" showcases four slow-tempo psychedelic tracks released in the summer of 2011. The Boxing Lesson's "Possibilities" will likely be put out by a label later this year// Photo courtesy of The Boxing Lesson
The Milestone was relatively empty on Sunday, February 26 for the performances of Technology For Nuns, Husky, and The Boxing Lesson.
Technology For Nuns opened up the show and gave its audience of roughly seven people a fun, danceable and quirky performance that didn't take itself too seriously.
Singer and producer Kevin Gerard played tracks through his laptop and gave an entertaining but limited vocal performance. He also showcased his offbeat and occasionally awkward dance moves for the audience. Guitarist Justin Klein played tripped-out guitar sounds to accompany the tracks. Technology For Nuns' set felt remarkably similar to Zooey Deschanel's off-the-wall performance in the movie "Yes Man."
Next up was Charlotte band Husky, who gave the increasingly larger audience a dynamic, intense hour-long instrumental set filled with ambient soundscapes.
Guitarist Phil Strickland had a long delay on throughout most of the set that was largely responsible for creating the group's ambient sound. Bassist Mark Hadden held down the chord changes throughout each song and had a loud, over-driven bass sound. Nate Wilkinson kept the drumming simple and heavy-handed. Many of the songs would start out quiet and build up into a nearly deafening ambient roar.
Austin-based power trio The Boxing Lesson stole the show. The group gave an engaging and intense performance of their unique brand of psychedelic rock.
Singer and guitarist Paul Waclawsky lead the group through its hour-long set and admirably gave the audience everything he had, in spite of the poor turnout.
Waclawsky showcased excellent, consistently on-key vocals ranging from a deep baritone to a powerful falsetto. His guitar tone was a distinctive and had a sound that other guitarists would be hard-pressed to recreate. Waclawsky's solos often had an epic sound to them that brought to mind the solos of Pink Floyd's guitarist David Gilmour.
Female synthstress Jaylinn Davidson held down bass duties on one keyboard and backed up Waclawsky's guitar with another keyboard. Davidson's synthesizers both filled out the group's sound and contributed in large part to the psychedelia that the band is known for.
Matt Bongirno did an excellent job drumming for the band. His rhythms were creative and fit perfectly into the context of each song. Bongirno often brought out softheaded mallets to provide ambient cymbal rolls while the other members of the band were busy creating soundscapes featured at the beginning of many of their songs.
The two highlights of The Boxing Lesson's set were "Dark Side of the Moog" and a rousing interpretation of The Animal's "House of the Rising Sun." "Dark Side of the Moog" featured excellent use of Moog synthesizers, catchy but ominous guitar hooks, and powerful drumming. "House of the Rising Sun" featured Waclawsky's excellent vocals and a keyboard solo by Davidson.
Sunday's lineup at The Milestone was sometimes funny and amusing, sometimes dramatic, and in the case of The Boxing Lesson- sometimes incredible.
Related posts:
- The Boxing Lesson set to perform at The Milestone
