Supernaut

This past Sunday my wife & I were in New Jersey for a family function. It was nice and all that but after a day of niceness we needed to be reminded that we were actually alive. We needed to see our rock-n-roll doctor. We needed to be blown away. The Hunchback and Ergs! show in New Brunswick seemed like the perfect prescription. We know (and love) Hunchback and have seen them many times. Each time they've been better than the time before. We'd heard much about the Ergs! but hadn't seen them yet. It seemed like the thing to do so we hopped in our car and sped off to New Brunswick. We arrived fashionably late and, as a result, missed the Measure, Ghost Town Trio and Delay. I'm sure they pleased the crowd, as it was a full house and the smell of those sweaty young men packed in like sardines was enough to make you sick or giddy - depending on which team you play for. The show was in some sorta yoga facility with that earth-loving hippie ethic, which really shouldn't be coupled with punk rock. But what the hell do I know. Hunchback were great as always. They're a together band and there's something unique about each song. Influences can be heard but there's inevitably some element about each song that is distinct and sets the band aside from its peers. Sometimes it's the harmonica, sometimes it's the keyboards, sometimes it's a guitar riff, sometimes it's simply the fact that each band member will take the lead vocal spot. It all works well for Hunchback. Mike Hunchback is a fantastic guitarist. He has a great sound and a multidimensional approach to his playing that adds to the individual sound that the band has. I was really ready to leave after the Hunchback set. The room was hot as hell and the all-ages crowd was chock full of pimply kids with spotty, pubic hair beards and smarmy tee-shirts. I did over-hear some interesting conversations though. Perhaps the best was this gem, "...my friend really likes big boobs but not when they're pushed together because then they look like an ass." When such pithy conversation abounds I am usually amused to no end but it had been a long day. We decided to stay, as we really wanted to see the much talked about Ergs! Well, they are a really good band - fast, tight and they really got the crowd going. The songs are simple with a pop element that is easy to digest. That being said, I didn't care for 'em. There was a kiddie punk / shopping mall aspect that I just couldn't get past. It was too much like nice, clean fun without the down and dirty danger factor that raises concern in parents. It was still a worthwhile show. It was the cure that the doctor ordered. I'm glad I got to see the bands on their home field. Almost all the shows I see are here in NYC so seeing different, unfamiliar surroundings and faces was a treat. This was the first in a series of all ages shows at this venue (Yoga Vayu, 354 George Street, New Brunswick, NJ). Hunchback will be playing there again July 15.