Precision. That’s the word I keep coming back to with Await Rescue’s Rumble run. These guys are a well oiled machine of heavy, melodic rock. They delivered every time they got on TT’s stage. They were the wildcard into The Finals and set out to show the world they deserved to be there.
So, you’re headed to the sold out Rock ‘N’ Roll Rumble Finals tonight and you’re wondering what to expect. Look, these things are pretty unpredictable. No one ever really knows what’s going to happen. Petty Morals, Await Rescue and Goddamn Draculas have been on point the whole Rumble. There’s no reason to expect anything less tonight. However, if you think you know what tricks the bands have up their sleeves or who’s going home in a tiara, you may be in for a surprise. We’ll find out soon enough when we pack into TT’s to watch in all unfold. Then we’ll catch a set from The Information before they announce the winner and spray the champagne. In the end, we’ll have our memories. Maybe we’ll have some pictures. Here are a few of mine from the last 3 Rumble Finals. See you tonight!
The Dogmatics – 2013 Rumble Special Guest BandEddie Japan – 2013 Rumble ChampionsGlenn Yoder And The Western States – 2013 Rumble FinalsTwin Berlin – 2013 Rumble FinalsThe Grownup Noise – 2012 Rumble Special Guest BandBow Thayer And Perfect Trainwreck – 2012 Rumble ChampionsGarvy J. And The Secret Pockets Of Hope And Resistance – 2012 Rumble FinalsMotherboar – 2012 Rumble FinalsThe Shods – 2011 Rumble Special Guest BandSpirit Kid – 2011 Rumble FinalsJohn Powhida International Airport – 2011 Rumble ChampionsOldJack – 2011 Rumble Finals
“Piece” introduced The Easy Reasons as a band to watch last fall. A roughed-up riff and the opening line “If you loved me I don’t know what I would do” stick immediately. The verses are simple and effective, leading to the big payoff — that chorus. Listen as The Easy Reasons serve up thick guitars and fiery vocals from the days of smoky bars and muscle cars. Shades of “Gimme Shelter” color the sound. It’s dark. It goes for the gut. That’s a rock ‘n’ roll hook, right there.
Cooling Towers have put out a couple of cool NWOBID* tunes in 2014. “Hard Headed Woman” is my favorite of the pair. Cooling Towers cut to the chase on this one, jumping right into the catchy-as-all-hell chorus after a brief mood-setting intro. The song never looks back. The bridge? Please, the intertwining harmonies cloaked in desperation are p‑e‑r‑f‑e‑c‑t. I dig this track.
Anngelle: Loves the Rumble. Does not love water
The 2014 Rock ‘N’ Roll Rumble has been a doozy. The 35th installment of this storied event has seen incredible sets, meticulous preparation, substitute wildcards, misunderstood lyrics and riffs galore. Friday night will find Goddamn Draculas, Petty Morals and Await Rescue (wildcard) squaring off on the friendship stage to see who goes home with the Rumble tiara. It all happens at T.T. The Bear’s Place. The Information are in The Rumble.* Until then, chew on this…
Second Chances At First Impressions Goddamn Draculas want to give you a big ol’ friendship hug.
If you want to talk about first impressions, you can’t do better than the second Rumble sets from Tigerman Woah and Goddamn Draculas. Tigerman Woah began their semifinal set singin’ and stompin’ among the TT’s crowd. Not to be outdone, Bice Nathan and Chris Duggan from Goddamn Draculas stood side by side, backs to the crowd, in total darkness to start their set. When the word “DRAX” was projected onto the stage, it revealed the rallying cry printed on the back of their shirts: WE CAME TO SUCK.
Tight and Outta Sight Petty Morals are in a Rumble state of mind.
“Tight and Outta Sight” may be a Petty Morals song, but it also represents a Rumble state of mind. You’ve got to have your act together to do well in this competition. Petty Morals put on a real rock ‘n’ roll show to take the first semifinal night, but they weren’t alone in the preparation game. Await Rescue** and Barricades closed out their nights with precise and energetic sets that kept the outcomes in question to the very end.
Wild Wild Card Yellabird was ready, willing, and able to be wild.
Aw man. I hate when stuff like this happens. Feints earned a spot as the Friday night wildcard, only to be silenced by doctor’s orders.*** Such a bummer. The plus side? Rumble-goers got another chance to witness Yellabird riff it up on the TT’s stage. Well done, gentlemen.
Fun With Numbers When Particles Collide were one of two duos.
Two out of three ain’t bad: Both of the Semifinal winners came from the 3rd slot of their respective nights (Petty Morals and Goddamn Draculas).
Deuces are wild: There were 2 duos in this year’s Rumble. When Particles Collide and Yellabird both made it to the semifinal round as wildcards.
One way tie: After a strong showing for formal neckwear in the preliminary round, only Greg Alexandropoulos of Western Education wore a tie in the semifinals.
Play Me Out
The semifinal round was chock full o’tunes. Here are some of the ones that had me wired.
Just when you thought The Rumble didn’t have anything left to give, Barricades came out and energized the TT’s crowd with a charged, pop-tinged indie rock set. Semifinal Night #2 ended with yet another band raising their game. Well done.
It’s hard not to get sucked into Tigerman Woah’s world when they’re up on stage (or in the crowd) ranting and hollering. Might as well go along for their Rumble Semifinal ride.
Yellabird blend The Bends era Radiohead with Black Sabbath. Think about how cool that is. Filling in for a recovering Feints, they pummeled their way through a set to open Rumble Semifinal Night #2.
