Like Muse or the Black Keys, here’s the story of a band that could find itself – out of nowhere and after some further evolution – all of a sudden playing arenas within a matter of just a few years.
Japandroids – this year’s indie rock breakout stars – clobbered a crowd of 1,200 Chicagoans in a sold-out small room at the Metro. The band’s outstanding second album “Celebration Rock” sits atop many rock critics’ year-end lists of the Top Ten Albums of the Year.
This is a duo from Vancouver, B.C. – simply guitar, drums and vocals – but they’ve got an ear-splitting sound that rivals any metal or hardcore punk band.
Drummer David Prowse could be noted as the greatest asset of the band. He had his drums set up right at the foot of the stage as if he was the frontman. In a way, he is. He hits his snares and cymbals like Sonic the Hedgehog playing Whack-A-Mole.
Prowse drums so hard that he breaks his drumsticks all while screaming along to the music. Once during the show, David broke a drumstick and had one immediately at-the-ready in his sack below, yanking it out and not missing a beat. A hyperbolic statement, but he could be the new Dave Grohl.
Between songs, guitarist / singer Brian King noodled on 30 second snippets of songs like Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” and Foo Fighters’ “Everlong.” He is also a master at the art of striking the rocker pose
Opener DIIV, a sleepy and soothing mostly instrumental band that sounds like the polar opposite of Japandroids, didn’t play because of a scheduling conflict. They were taping a performance for Letterman.
Mark my words, the legend will spread, Japandroids will germinate and all will culminate in huge shows in gargantuan arenas. Catch them in small venues while you can.
