Live review: Crash Kings

Crash Kings w/ The Activity

The Milestone

Jan. 20, 2010

The Deal: Crash Kings impress small crowd at the Milestone, Charlotte’s The Activity and Natural History open.

The Good: When I walked into the club, The Activity had already started their brand of rock infused with some punk and harder elements. Jeremy Current — who makes his own waves in the local scene — appeared content on bass as singer/guitarist Luke Ramos sang, screamed and shredded riffs — using his guitar against one of the pillars near the stage and against speakers, there were feedback-infused moments of energy-releasing brilliance amongst the songs.

It looked like the spirit of Nirvana had come back through the Milestone walls and inspired a few jams amidst the indie rock style.

Crash Kings hit the stage without much warning and quickly launched into “You Got Me,” with its extended solo at the end of it as if to signify, “We’re gonna tear this place apart and show you what the hell we’re made of.” Tony Beliveau’s vocals and range were spot-on, his brother Mike’s bass work was more up front than you’d hear on the album and drummer Jason Morris simply beat the shit out of the skins. Needless to say, the song ended, was greeted by a brief moment of silence before screams and applause. You could easily sense that those not familiar with the band were instantly impressed, and those who had heard the band enjoyed the live energy they brought to the small ramshackle venue.

“1985” was up next, again providing a glimpse into the band’s energy. The trio comes out with guns blazing and rarely finds moments to calm down too much. It’s rock with a pop edge, but the rock is definitely up front. You could also tell that the use of the clavinet from time to time — which takes the place of any guitar — is the star of the band’s music when it’s used in jaw-dropping fashion.

The band’s infectious grooves and hooks almost made it feel like the band was bigger than the venue — I’d guess the next time they’re in town, they’d be rocking the Visulite or opening for a big band at Verizon — they’ve opened for Chris Cornell on their first-ever tour.

Tony wasn’t afraid to scream when necessary or infuse as much energy as possible into clavinet solos. It’s difficult to “rock out” a keyboard, but this guy comes about as close as you can without hanging on to a keytar. With one hand on the keys and one on the custom-made whammy bar, he bent notes and sounded like Hendrix at moments when the songs needed it the most. The beauty of the band’s music is that it isn’t all about the clavinet. More often, the songs revolve around the piano/keyboard work.

The band played most of the songs from its debut album including, “It’s Only Wednesday,” “My Love,” “Raincoat” and new song “Second Rate Citizen”; they also satisfied a crowd member’s request to hear “Come Away.” After performing their first single “Mountain Man” to wrap up their roughly hour-long set, the band responded to cries for “War Pigs” by ripping through the Black Sabbath classic with clavinet as the focal point leaving crowd members simply saying, “Holy shit.”

Easily a band I would go see at any venue the next chance I get. Keep an eye and an ear out for them to come back to town.

The Bad: I was running late and missed Natural History. Also bad that more people weren’t there to see a great show.

The Verdict: A few people shouted out songs which the band happily obliged to play. There are 40 of us who can say, “I remember seeing Crash Kings in this small club…” Big things lie on the road ahead for this trio.

Crash Kings Setlist

You Got Me

1985

It’s Only Wednesday

Carry On

Saving Grace

All Along

My Love

Raincoat

Come Away

2nd Rate Citizen

Mountain Man