Oppenheimer
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I still have no time, but a one-line review simply won't be able to describe the awesomeness that is Oppenheimer. I almost feel as though I shouldn't try…you had to have been there. You all should have been there!
I don't know exactly how this band from Belfast ended up with so many ties to our little town, but they keep coming back. They said Chronic Town is their most played venue anywhere in the world. Crazy. By the end I was kicking myself for not seeing them last semester when I had the chance. But enough about regrets and endings, back to the beginning.
There was an audible gasp from the crowd as Rocky pulled his new guitar from the case.
Have you ever seen something so cool? Yes? Well that is only because the lights aren't on it in this picture. Check out the video if you want to see the lights (skip to minute 6).
ROCKENHEIMER part 2
I guess I should explain the video a bit. Two days ago at 3 PM, Rockenheimer was formed by Rok Stedee (Rocky) and Chrystal Mayze (Chris -Oppenheimer's sound guy). At 8 PM that same day they played their first show. A day later they released this documentary. At the show last night we got to hear the "real" version of Breakfast in NYC, and then the Rockenheimer version. The Rockenheimer version wins for being full of high-fives and good fun.
The whole show was full of good fun. You should know by now that I am a sucker for bands with a sense of humor. Shaun and Rocky have an adorable comic chemistry. It certainly didn't hurt that Rocky spoke through the vocoder the whole night (except for an accidental "yea!" when he reattached a light to the guitar. That was the only time we heard his real voice!). Everything is funnier in a robotic monotone.
The music was wonderful electronic pop with air horns and melodicas and fun and passion. Listening to it now is almost disappointing because nothing can top the energy of that performance. I guess that happens sometimes. :/ Sitting in my apartment and listening to the album just cannot top being pushed into the circle pit by Rocky when he jumped off the stage, ran wildly and broke a light off his guitar. Still, I can't help but dance in my chair. :)
What an awesome weekend. I would give up sleep completely if every weekend could be like this.
Comments (5)
There just a couple of "lads", aren't they?
Nice sound to their stuff.
Aren't those lights from Ikea?
Great band :D I live in Belfast so I watched these guys get bigger and bigger, the first time I saw them was in a small bar in town in early '06. Eventually most people in Belfast knew them and they played bigger venues.
Then they toured the US with TMBG and it appears they were very well received! A hard thing to achieve for most European bands. I hope they continue to go from strength to strength over there.
They toured with TMBG, well that makes sense.
annie - I think they probably are from IKEA - they said it was really cheap.
Laura - I'm jealous! It must have been cool watching them get bigger. They have been playing at Chronic Town here in State College since before their TMBG tour (they came here with that tour too, but at a different venue), and i'm mad I never went to a show before now. so much fun. I hope they keep growing here too!
Yay for recording everything! These videos are tons of awesome.
State College - ROCKENHEIMER
Shaun: "Are you guys in tune with each other?" Rocky: "It doesn't matter"
State College - Before & After The Quake
What you can't see is that immediate after Shaun suggests that Rocky swing his guitar like a hammer, Rocky's strap randomly came undone. hence: "I think he heard you". What you can see is that the guy in front of me steps out of the way when Rocky starts the circle pit (which is obviously more pit than circle) and then I am gone, lost to the craziness.
State College ENCORE
This one starts with a funny story about one of the most infamous Oppenheimer anticts at Chronic Town. Then one final "circle pit" ("Circle Fucking Pit" "you heard the robot!") to end the night that was certainly "buck mental" :)