On The Scene: XP 14-11-2012

Slowly trying to close the gap people – know there has been a bit of a lag between shows and their write-ups – just bear with me. Stopped by XP before my trip back to the homeland mainly to catch up with Low Bow’s new material and to see if that the last time I saw The Planets was a fluke; oh, and finally see The Last Three Minutes who have made XP their home turf recently.

Love me some crunchy blues-minded garage rock – that’s the driving force behind Low Bow as it continues to solidify them as a force of nature on the verge of a breakout.

That’s a friggin romp right there if I ever heard one. I love the locomotive momentum that’s bought to the table. And with Michael Cupolion drums it’s opens the doors for Low Bow like never before.
Dare I say it’s starting to sound more and more like a fully fleshed band up there?

Hearing those sticks belt against that thing definitely gives their sound a much-needed dosage of roughness that was missing before (at least when Richard wasn’t trying to simultaneously play both instruments which, while eye-catching has its practical limits). There’s a precision to the music now that gives the music more oomph, more feeling, more of that ‘let’s build up a song before we tear up the joint’.

Yes, Low Bow have certainly evolved quite a bit since I first caught it back in 2011, and if the word is true that Jingweir is in the works on releasing Low Bow’s next, we might be in for a treat.

Speaking of breakouts, The Planets are no fluke people – there’s something freaky going on with these kids and I love every second of it. Now with keyboard!

Flamboyantly cool all the while sticking to its punk roots – there’s something Technicolor about The Planets that’s refreshing on so many levels. Chipper indeed – perhaps with a little more playtime, crowd work, and other band mumblejumbo – I still am seeing big things for them.

Really though, what these guys need is a packed crowd – a Mao Livehouse, a Dos Kolegas, even a Temple (on a good night) – it’s almost embarrassing to have them play to XP’s mini, stiff crowd of music-lovers, not so much aerobatic movers. Give them a Friday night and I’m guessing fireworks will be made.

Especially with a closer like that – nothing beats cigarette and keyboard-harmonica – nothing.

Word on The Last Three Minutes has been interesting – ask anyone about these guys and basically you get the sense that they are on their own strange little musical path that’s offbeat to say the least. Makes sense?

Just looking at the guitar work up there, it’s certain that these two are extremely talented musicians. Not sure what’s up with the non-existent drummer, but hey, work with what you got. I particularly dig the leads voice which purrs along a slower tempo that often reminded me of ZuoXiao ZuZhou’s avant-grade style and how he’s drags a Chinese character or tone out like a opera singer or something.

It’s fits in well with the band’s freak funk – not always the easiest thing to listen to, but intriguing for sure. I’ll be curious to hear these guys with a full band for sure in the future.

Well that’s it kids – check below for another video from Low Bow and The Planets – yeah, went a little camera crazy I suppose.

Low Bow

The Planets