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The bands Birdlips and Birdmonster performed last night at the Gravity Lounge.  The crowd was small.  The bands soared.  We sang and played along.  It’s why we came.  [My thoughts after the break.  Plus we’ve got a song from Birdlips (”Dream Within a Dream” from the band’s debut album Cardboard Wings) and WNRN’s live on-air interview and performance from Birdmonster, both in MP3 form, for your listening pleasure.]

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I’m not sure what blows me away more, the music of Birdlips or the fact that they’ve only been at it for a year.  At one point in last night’s show at Gravity Lounge Cliff Usher (just before the duo’s final song) took a moment to thank everyone who has supported Birdlips’ music and mentioned that this was indeed the band’s one year anniversary.

Tucked away to the left of the stage (sort of in the shadows I guess), as I sat silently and watched Lindsay Pitts on keys and Usher on guitar deliver amazing song after amazing song, I thought to myself, “These guys are f*@king unbelievable”.  After Birdlips’ set I ran into Pete Arcuni, the frontman for Birdmonster, and he essentially said the same thing.  He even repeated it from the stage minutes later saying “You guys are really lucky to have a band like Birdlips in your town”.  There is so much truth in that statement.

I should add that we were equally lucky in having a band like Birdmonster come to town.  As I sat with a friend of mine watching Birdmonster’s set, I leaned over and said “These guys really love playing their songs”.  Their joyous rock n roll energy is not something you can fake.  They’re four really good friends, making really good music.  And they were just as entertaining to watch.  If I have one complaint, it’s that the night ended too soon.  For the thirty or so of us who came out to see it, we were rewarded with a night of music that well exceeded the eight dollar cover.

As Birdmonster launched into their encore (”Balcony” from the band’s debut album), Lindsay and Cliff sat on the edge of the stage with a shaker and a tambourine in hand, playing along.  A young lady from the audience was invited up on stage to play keyboards and as she looked around you could tell she couldn’t believe she was not only watching the band, but she was suddenly in the band.  Honestly, in that moment, we were all in the band.  That’s why I love going to see shows, because every now and then “it” happens.   You don’t know when and you don’t know where, but you go because every once in awhile you can say…”I was there”.

Listen:
MP3:  Birdlips–”Dream Within a Dream”

Listen:
MP3:  WNRN interviews Birdmonster (10.02.08)

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