Here’s a band you may want to check out Clark:

Every once in a while, you catch a band that seems ready to take the next big step and launch into the stratosphere. The Bravery seems like that kind of band right now. They have all the pieces in place: Hit songs? You bet. Good looks and charisma? Out the yin-yang. Hardcore fans willing to line up in the cold and pack a club while screaming their heads off? Better believe it. Rock star attitudes? Check. Genuine talent? Double check. These guys are going places.

The evening started with an unbilled opening by The Switches, a band from London that, while raw, appears to have the talent, if not the appearance, of potential (They literally looked like they just rolled out of bed after a very hard night). They played to a half-empty house, but the people that were there did appreciate them though they kept shouting out, “Who are you guys?” The lead singer, Matt Bishop, appears to be most of the talent and driving force behind this young band; the other members seem a little aimless. Their new single, Drama Queen, however, shows promise.

The Bravery hit the stage early after the brief set by The Switches, and it was apparent from the outset that they are a band on the rise. The smaller site at “In the Venue” (sometimes called “Club Sound”) was jammed with enthusiastc fans and the band confidently launched into a full set that repeatedly blew the roof off the joint. Frontman Sam Endicott’s spasmodic dance/siezure moves and charging vocals electrified the crowd while guitarist Michael Zakarin was just plain too cool for words. Bassist Mike H. did his part by stage-diving in mid song without missing a beat. Keyboardist John Conway and drummer Anthony Burulcich turned in a solid, if unspectacular, performance.

The band refused to succumb to the usual (and further endeared themselves to the crowd) by forgoing the standard encore charade and just staying on stage to play extra songs. Endicott is one of those rare talents that can engage in on-stage persiflage without sounding like a complete moron. He explained the story behind the band’s biggest hit to date, Time Won’t Let Me Go, which is apparently about The Outsiders, his favorite book when he was young. Thanks Sam! That’s the kind of thing that really is fun to know.

The whole thing was over before 10:00, but the crowd hung around, singing, buying merch and hoping for a reappearance. It didn’t happen, but no one seemed to mind too much. They were just happy to have been able to hang out with The Bravery on this band’s way to the top.

[cross-posted at mcqesq]