On the Road to Bonnaroo

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Remember that feeling you got when you rode a roller coaster for the first time? I don’t mean the thrill during the ride (presuming you were more thrilled than terrified), but the lingering excitement afterward that left you shaking and giddy and with a strange feeling of personal accomplishment. Well, that’s about how I felt during Monday night’s Road to Bonnaroo contest at Mercy Lounge. Eight bands came to assert their worthiness. Every band came to win.

Mike’s Pawn Shop started the evening off with the highest of high energy performances. Each member of the four-man band exuded undeniable charisma—from the wild lead singer and goofy keyboardist to the sultry drummer and funky guitarist. All three songs they played appealed to me, but I was particularly taken with “Red Hot Sneakers”. I found myself chanting along and stomping around as if I wore a pair.

The second band was dubbed “The Best Band in East Nashville” and, while I agree the appellation may hold merit, I am not aware that I’ve heard any other East Nashville bands. Even so, Reno Bo is a solid ensemble with easily likable songs. However, their sound seemed too Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers 7.0 meets John Cougar Mellencamp for me to believe they were worthy of Bonnaroo.

Number three on the list came as a bit of a pleasant surprise. Like a cup of hot chamomile,  KS Rhoads (of Ten Out of Tenn with Erin McCarley singing backup) allowed us a moment to relax and listen. His opener, “Hurricane”, was a fitting low-key departure from the high volume of his predecessors. Now, before you get it twisted, know that this boy ain’t no fly by night. He is an able singer (even if he doesn’t pay enough attention to dynamic variation), guitarist, and pianist. And, he was the only act to interpolate live recorded beat boxing loops into his performance. Diversity is just that valuable folks.

Now, I have never seen a Hayden Christensen look alike before, but And the Relatives’ lead singer and guitarist was serving us much “Padmé is in danger, and I have to save her”. That adorable pout was only icing on the cake, as I cannot wait to blast whatever of theirs I can find on any and every music playing device I own.

With a sound reminiscent of Tyler James, but with a great deal more vocalis, Pico Vs. Island Trees brought a bit more grown-folks sound and sophistication to the evening’s lineup.  

Unlike in their previous performance at the 2009 Nashville Earth Day Festival in Centennial Park, AutoVaughn owned every sound that ushered forth during their performance of all new music. (What a difference two days makes!) They also made it more evident to me that, of all the bands that night, they commanded the most star quality. Upon second hearing, I am convinced that the song “Danger” will accompany many a first kiss in high schools everywhere once it’s released. As its lyrics state, “Get ready. It’s danger and it’s on its way!”

Afterward, I think I discovered what would happen if Revenge of the Nerds were to ever become a live show. How I Became the Bomb was peculiar enough and entertaining enough to battle their peers with catchy tunes and a big, white Roland key tar to boot!

It was the final act, though, that I thought the most comical. The Protomen (or Mini Meatloaf and the Painted Confusion Budget Spectacle) felt no qualms about screamin’ and hollarin’ all out the sides of their faces. And, their faithful following appeared to be part of the display. I was on the floor! But, in light of the distinct sounds most of the other bands produced, I was unimpressed. Their product was wholly derivative and they could have easily been mistaken for a cover band; nevertheless, it was they who received the winning number of votes.

Let’s hope attendees to this year’s festival are as receptive—and as nostalgic—as Monday night’s audience.