The Dodos and Thee Ohsees: Get Em While They're Hot!
When I originally chose to go to see The Dodos at the Independent, I picked it based on the fact that the first minute of the song on their myspace sounded different and exciting. After that point I started noticing The Dodos everywhere. There were posters, articles, reviews, word of mouth, everything. And then when I found out that the show was sold out, I couldn’t wait to find out what the hype was about.
Homonym-lovers Thee Ohsees started by playing a raw blend of punk, rock, and blues with a fiery intensity. Much like The Black Lips, Thee Ohsees’ combination of punk and blues worked beautifully in an unexpected way. The lead guitarist cinched his guitar up to the top of his chest, and then held it up right under his chin for the most intense shreds. After the song, he flipped his guitar over his head to reveal “Thank You” on the back side. Each other band member provided something interesting to watch as well. One had a piece of chocolate cake tattooed on his neck. Another played solely the tambourine and maracas with his well-worn “Flags of the World” chucks. And I have to give my thanks to the singer who dug through three boxes of Dodos shirts to find my size… maybe I should have bought some Ohsees merch too. “Sorry, we’re really sick of playing these songs,” the guitarist told the crowd, “So, they might seem lackluster”. Anything but, my friend, anything but.
The Dodos arrived on stage to a sardine-packed house cheering in anticipation. Within the first ten seconds of the first song, I was in awe. Chief songwriter and guitarist, Meric Long’s high-speed finger picking grabbed the audience’s attention and let them know that they were not fucking around. His virtuoso guitar abilities combined in a soul-shaking way with Logan Kroeber’s pounding, snare-heavy drumming. During many songs, someone moonlighted behind them drumming powerfully on a steel trash can that gave the band a Stomp Out Loud-esque authenticity. Each member played with such genuine possession and panic that everyone in the building was sucked full force into their ethereal folk rock.
During the beginning, Long’s voice reminded me of the wavering vibrato of Devendra Banhart. During another part, the haunting trombone made me think quickly of Beirut’s Zach Condon. Then, Long’s voice sounded so similar to Ben Gibbard that it sounded as if the song could have been a Death Cab B-side. Their intensity and psychedelic-experimental approach was not far from Animal Collective. Despite all of these similarities, however, the most striking thing about The Dodos was just how unlike anything else they are. It’s been a long time since I heard something that felt truly unique and fresh. I can only hope that they are trailblazing a new path that other bands will follow because the world could use more music like that of The Dodos.
Throughout the show, as I was taking notes my adjectives and clever-phrases escaped me and I scribbled “SO GOOD!” in my notepad. I just couldn’t find any words to do justice to the duo and their self-proclaimed “happy hardcore” sound. For the four days since the show, The Dodos have been my constant soundtrack. At the park on Saturday, the group sitting next to me was blasting the new album, Visiter, much to my enjoyment. If I can make predictions, I say The Dodos are going to be huge. So jump on the bandwagon now – it’s one hell of a ride.
Photos courtesy of Hali McGrath. Haliphoto.com
Homonym-lovers Thee Ohsees started by playing a raw blend of punk, rock, and blues with a fiery intensity. Much like The Black Lips, Thee Ohsees’ combination of punk and blues worked beautifully in an unexpected way. The lead guitarist cinched his guitar up to the top of his chest, and then held it up right under his chin for the most intense shreds. After the song, he flipped his guitar over his head to reveal “Thank You” on the back side. Each other band member provided something interesting to watch as well. One had a piece of chocolate cake tattooed on his neck. Another played solely the tambourine and maracas with his well-worn “Flags of the World” chucks. And I have to give my thanks to the singer who dug through three boxes of Dodos shirts to find my size… maybe I should have bought some Ohsees merch too. “Sorry, we’re really sick of playing these songs,” the guitarist told the crowd, “So, they might seem lackluster”. Anything but, my friend, anything but.
The Dodos arrived on stage to a sardine-packed house cheering in anticipation. Within the first ten seconds of the first song, I was in awe. Chief songwriter and guitarist, Meric Long’s high-speed finger picking grabbed the audience’s attention and let them know that they were not fucking around. His virtuoso guitar abilities combined in a soul-shaking way with Logan Kroeber’s pounding, snare-heavy drumming. During many songs, someone moonlighted behind them drumming powerfully on a steel trash can that gave the band a Stomp Out Loud-esque authenticity. Each member played with such genuine possession and panic that everyone in the building was sucked full force into their ethereal folk rock.
During the beginning, Long’s voice reminded me of the wavering vibrato of Devendra Banhart. During another part, the haunting trombone made me think quickly of Beirut’s Zach Condon. Then, Long’s voice sounded so similar to Ben Gibbard that it sounded as if the song could have been a Death Cab B-side. Their intensity and psychedelic-experimental approach was not far from Animal Collective. Despite all of these similarities, however, the most striking thing about The Dodos was just how unlike anything else they are. It’s been a long time since I heard something that felt truly unique and fresh. I can only hope that they are trailblazing a new path that other bands will follow because the world could use more music like that of The Dodos.
Throughout the show, as I was taking notes my adjectives and clever-phrases escaped me and I scribbled “SO GOOD!” in my notepad. I just couldn’t find any words to do justice to the duo and their self-proclaimed “happy hardcore” sound. For the four days since the show, The Dodos have been my constant soundtrack. At the park on Saturday, the group sitting next to me was blasting the new album, Visiter, much to my enjoyment. If I can make predictions, I say The Dodos are going to be huge. So jump on the bandwagon now – it’s one hell of a ride.
Photos courtesy of Hali McGrath. Haliphoto.com
Comments
posted on Jun 24 at 4:59 pm
Fantastic review. I know what you mean about The Dodos and their escalating popularity. Their sound really is different and exciting with hints of the familiar. I REALLY wish I got a chance to see them live...sounds like it was an awesome show!
posted on Jun 26 at 10:00 am
The OhSees are definitely worth heading out of the house for. I saw them on a bill without knowing who they were and they blew my mind. They were by far the most enjoyable band of the evening. They reminded me of the Cramps - that whole Southern Goth scene - for some reason. Dark, sexy music - tongue in cheek (and who knows where else...)
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