Photo by Allegra Fisher. More on Flickr »
I listen to the White Rabbits all the time when I’m just hanging out or driving – needless to say I really enjoy their music. But before tonight I’d never seen them play a live show before, and as such never had a clue just how rockin’ they really are. Hint: extremely rockin’.My first clue, as I showed up to their Tuesday night show at the Firebird, was that it was completely packed. Of course the Columbia, MO natives (now based in Brooklyn) pull a lot of weight here in St. Louis, but the size and enthusiasm of the crowd can’t be solely attributed to their Missouri roots.
My second clue: So Many Drums. Their recorded songs have great beats, but nothing can compare to witnessing three dudes on stage all banging on drums at the same time. And they had a full drum set as well as another collection of timpani and snare drums. Although Jamie Levison, the masterful lead drummer, played the drum set throughout the duration of the show, every member of the six-person band hit percussion at some point during the set. “I Used to Complain Now I Don’t” was a standout, which featured three band-members all drumming together (as hard as they could), and singer/pianist Steve Patterson leaning over the front of Levison’s drumset to give him a hand.
My third clue was that they simply rocked. They were one of the most high energy bands I’ve seen live, and there was nary a dull moment to be had. Their songs were performed beautifully, with each of White Rabbits’ six multi-instrumentalists playing their respective instruments with artistry and finesse. Singers Greg Roberts and Steve Patterson transitioned skillfully from hard rocking songs like “Kid on my Shoulders” to the more melodic numbers like “Company I Keep.” The low point of the show was a somewhat blandly executed Bradford Cox cover, but even where creativity lacked their instrumental savvy was evident.
In conclusion, if I haven’t already made myself clear, the White Rabbits rocked the face off the Firebird Tuesday night, and their records simply don’t do their live energy justice.
