SILVERSUN PICKUPS – LIVE AT COLLEGE STREET

Silversun Pickups returned for their second appearance at College Street in New Haven promoting the release of their ambitious new release Widow’s Weeds. The band was formed in 2000 in the burgeoning Silver Lake music scene with the likes of Beck and Riloy Kiley. Silversun Pickups members are Brian Aubert (Lead Vocals/Guitar), Christopher Guanlao (Drums), Joe Lester (Keyboards) and Nikki Monninger (Bass).

Opening act The New Regime is the solo project of Ilan Rubin of NIN and Angels & Airwaves fame. The New Regime recently released the E.P., Body, in conjunction with the 2019 E. P.s Heart and Mind.

In The New Regime Ilan puts aside his drum kit and picks up lead guitar and secures lead vocal duties. With touring band mates Kemble Walters on bass and Rob Ketchum on drums, the band tore into a blistering 10 song set.

They started with two songs from Heart, “A Way To Feel Again” and “Turning A Blind Eye”. The New Regime set the mood right away. The songs were commanding and Ilan’s vocals crisp and impressive. Walters’ dynamic bass and Ketchum’s sturdy drums filled the hall with a robust back beat. The powerful rocker from Body, “Struggle In My Bones”, followed and the band was finding its stride.

Throughout the entire set The New Regime had a firm control of the crowd. Their spunky stage presence and tenacious demeanor was totally engaging. By the time The New Regime hit their last song, “Heart Mind Body and Soul”, College Street was converted.

Ilan Rubin and The New Regime proved to be an extremely solid opener.

As soon as Silversun Pickups hit the stage the sizable crowd erupted. First song out was “Neon Wound” off of Widow’s Weeds. From the very beginning the audience was in the zone. Aubert’s shrill and angst ridden vocals packed a cathartic punch. His dark poise set an intense and brooding aura. Monninger’s gutsy bass ran true and Guanlao’s frantic drumming was impeccable. The band then powered through “It Doesn’t Matter Why”. The catchy staccato beat reverberated throughout the hall. Lester’s introspection synth solidified the sprawling tune.

Silversun Pickups ensued with Carnavas‘ “Little Lover’s So Polite” and then went into the rousing “Panic Switch”. One could see that Aubert’s essence was becoming bolder. His guitar playing was taking on a feverish brashness. One could even say manic. He was taking control and the audience was enjoying every moment. “Freakazoid” (my favorite song on Widow’s Weeds) came next. The introspective song was definitely a fan favorite.

At this point the band drove through selections from all their releases with “Circadian Rhythm (Last Dance) with Monninger’s dreamy vocals and “Don’t Know Yet” being highlights. Silversun Pickups‘ last four songs began with the ominous “Friendly Fires” from Better Nature. “Kissing Families” from Pikul with its reflective vibe and “Nightlight” with its resolute chorus tracked next. They closed out with a brash version of “Growing Old Is Getting Old” Again the whole band delivered a powerfully spirited rendition.

The encore was worth the wait. It started off with “We Are Chameleons” and then a savage “Well Thought Out Twinkles”. Silversun Pickups were in rare form with the guitar crunching and the band in a whirlwind. As soon as the throng caught Aubert’s strumming of “Lazy Eye” the room went berserk. Silversun Pickups finished with a bang.

Even though I agree with the many reviewers who criticized the Bruce Vig (Nirvana, Garbage) production of Widow’s Weeds as too slick and safe, I still found the record to be poignant and decisive in the growth of Silverson Pickups. The songs may have lost some of their edge but the elegance of the L.P. is irrefutable.

On stage they are a completely different animal. Live, the band was gritty and unyielding. Aubert was beautifully spastic, Monninger profoundly wicked and Lester delicately bleak. The unsung hero of the night was Guanlao. His deliriously booming and steadfast percussion was in a class of its own. I for one hope College Street captures Silversun Pickups for a trifecta.

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