We Were Promised Jetpacks @ El Mocambo

October 13th, 2009

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I’ve got this friend, see. Her name is TheSixtyOne.com, and she fills my world with new music on the daily. It’s true, she’s a website, but in these times what’s the difference, really? (PLEASE NOTE: I AM KIDDING).

One time TheSixtyOne and I were hanging out and she was all, “dude. Listen to this band called We Were Promised Jetpacks.” And I was like, “ROFLCOPTER, that name is HILARIOUS!!” But then I failed to give Jetpacks a chance. Boy, was I dumb.

I’ve got this other friend, see. She’s all up on the music you’ve never heard of, and a few months ago she played me this song called “Conductor”. I was all, “dude. That’s good sh*t. Who is it?” And she was like, “it’s We Were Promised Jetpacks, yo.”

Fast forward to Saturday night, when this adorable (yet manly and powerful) band from Edinburgh took the stage at El Mocambo. While they were billed as openers (for The Twilight Sad), WWPJ took total control of the crowd, the stage and the night, emerging victorious as the evening’s highlight.

While tuning their instruments onstage, the 4 lads seemed like a quiet bunch – normal, working-class boys with a penchant for evening carhole jams. But from the first chords and Adam’s opening lyrics (“right foot, followed by your left foot”), it was clear that the intimate crowd was in for a serious treat. His clear Scottish brogue commanded attention, brimming with passion and intensity. Likewise Darren’s powerful drums, Mike’s frantic ragdoll guitar and Sean’s understated bass.

A frantic crowd of Scottish rowdies sang along as WWPJ soared through their album’s tracklist in order, each song accented with zealous applause and overwhelmed smiles on the bandmembers’ faces. And to be perfectly cheesy, by the set’s end we couldn’t help but have the same smiles on our faces. No doubt this was one of my top sets of 2009.

Scottish accents, catchy melodies, danceable beats – if you’re into it, give these gents a chance forgodsakes already!

Choice Tracks: “Roll Up Your Sleeves”, “Conductor”, “Quiet Little Voices”

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Tags: concert reviews, concerts, we were promised jetpacks, wwpj