Local music doesn’t permeate the gates of Saint Louis University very often. SLU students must go out and search the city to find the magic of an accessible and burgeoning scene, an ironic dilemma that holds many students back. But a local showcase last Friday night at Fontbonne College proved how worthwhile these excursions can be.
Three local bands offered an eclectic sampling of what the St. Louis scene has to offer. Among these bands was Nosey Parker, a modern rock group whose sound balances between the extremes of metal and emotive rock (emo). 5 Blockshot and Nine Trigger followed as the crowd increased in size (and liquid induced enthusiasm).
Nine Trigger had the headlining slot of the evening, delivering a performance that emulated the Deftones. Their set was a one-man screaming match that left ears ringing. The smoke and flashing lights emitted from the stage couldn’t mask the base, dissonant sound of Nine Trigger.
5 Blockshot preceded Nine Trigger with a much more entertaining show. A hip-hop quintet consisting of a keyboardist, upright bassist, vocalist and DJ, they played an energetic set to an apprehensive crowd. Lead vocalist Rob Brown wandered through the audience, beckoning people toward the stage.
5 Blockshot’s sound is unique and addictive. Their laid back grooves sound like 311, but their impressive keyboard melodies give them a hint of the Beastie Boys’ sound. The bassist’s plucking style merged with the keyboardist’s innovative contributions make 5 Blockshot stand apart from guitar and turntable driven hip hop groups.
DJ Fritz the Cat filled in the downtime between sets with grooves that brought straggling dancers back onto the floor. He djs frequently at Lo, a club downtown. His re-mixes of old-school Beastie Boys highlighted the syncopation that makes the Boys so catchy.
Nosey Parker’s performance proved their potential to explode onto a larger scene. Their modern rock sound invokes a conglomeration of influences, but it’s lead singer Tom Karleskint’s vocal strength that makes them shine.
“Yellow Belly,” a ballad immersed in guitar, showcased the vocals beneath a haze of distortion. Karleskint’s voice navigated effortlessly through jagged landscapes of sound. The echoing smoothness of the chorus sounds like Maynard Keenan of Tool. In fact, Nosey Parker frequently sound like a hybrid of Fuel and Tool, minus the screaming. Nosey Parker recently did an acoustic set for KSLU, which included “Tragedy,” a wrenching song about a relationship. They are expecting to release an album in June and to tour afterward.
These bands all have potential to impress a wider audience, even Nine Trigger who have a very specific sound.
Local music patronage, like the decent turnout last Friday night at Fontbonne College, is reciprocally beneficial for music lovers and artists.
Patrons get to enjoy music in intimate settings for prices that are frequently cheaper than a movie. Musicians get a chance to prove their worth and do what they love. Venture beyond the gates of SLU and you’ll find the opportunity to dive into the local scene is there, and it’s worth it. Even if you have to pay $1.37 for gas to get there.
