Black Taxi, The Frontier Brothers, Atomic Tom, Hailey Wojcik & Her Imaginary Friends @ The Studio at Webster Hall

Black Taxi, The Frontier Brothers, Atomic Tom, Hailey Wojcik & Her Imaginary Friends
@ The Studio at Webster Hall
New York, NY - February 13, 2010

Webster Hall's decision to create a Mercury Lounge/Southpaw type sub-venue downstairs was a stroke of genius and worth it alone for the startling contrast when exiting the place, having paid 10 dollars to see prime rock music live in intimate quarters and barreling through a super-packed parade of nitwits lined up to pay 50 dollars to stand around while loud recorded music blasts away.

Black Taxi are a sleek but gritty amalgam of sight and sound. Both edgy and familiar, the quartet make it look easy but are definitely putting together a rough mix of funky chops, alternative echoes, and pumping rock. It's been awhile since bullhorn, trumpet, and washboard-style xylophone all came together with solid guitar, bass, and drum and sounded fresh.

The Frontier Brothers are indeed the Austin depiction of old time New Wave. A good chunk of style offset by that punk-ish spirit of twisting and turning, they were a solid set.

I saw Atomic Tom at a Deli Magazine party in the summer of 2008 and I remember being impressed by their ability to be a new sounding band that perked my ears without having to summon the retro sounds that mark this generation. Almost 2 full years later, this band is ready to explode. In the utmost professional sense, these four guys are bringing their A-game from the opening chord to the last note. Never a missed chord or a false start, never wasting time futzing around on their instruments, you'd think you were seeing an arena-sized band in their prime. The sound of Atomic Tom is a little more fleshed out these days, sounding as ready-for-modern-radio as ever but devoid of the kind of sap and hollowness that a band could fall victim to. Their obviously growing fan base is an interesting mix of those who know good music and those who need a lesson in good music and this band should feel proud of themselves for giving an education to those who need it.

Hailey Wojcik & Her Imaginary Friends were the most eclectic band of the night, running along from minimal folk-pop to speak-sing art house before finishing off with a startlingly perfect rock song that nearly blew the basement up onto the Webster Hall dance floor. Have to see them again.