|
July 7th, 2007 @ The Basement—Bang Bang Bang, Unannounced 1:00am Performance at The Basement Bang Bang Bang Rock the Basement for a Capacity Crowd, 1:00am Show After a full night of performances from (Chapel Hill's) Old Ceremony and (Nashville's) Americana favorites Thad Cockrell and Megan McCormick, Bang Bang Bang took the stage for an unannounced show that kicked off at the rockin' hour of 1:00am. Nobody in the capacity-crowd appeared sleepy, however, and Bang Bang Bang delivered an impressive set of AC/DC influenced Southern rock (view a fraction of the audience here). Let me first say that I avoid bandwagons at all costs, and I was prepared to report the news that Bang Bang Bang was just another successful marketing scheme. However, by the end of the first song I was embracing my inner teenager who once (many years ago) shared a fifth of tequila with my best friend, then (the both of us) jumped on a four-wheeler and hauled-ass through muddy backwoods trails, at midnight—yeeeeehaaahhhwww!!! Indeed, Bang Bang Bang deliver the kind of edgy Southern party rock that elevates moods and doesn't let up (see photo). While their edginess takes on a thumpin' punk vibe on occasion, these guys don't sing about anything political. These guys are pure sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll—but don't think you're above this stuff—you'll love every minute of it (see photo). In my view, Bang Bang Bang are America's AC/DC, and this is meant to be a compliment. Although bands always strive for originality, let's face it, AC/DC just doesn't do it for us anymore, and we're still craving our "Hell's Bells." BBB are the new icons of rock, delivering on the archetypal over-sexed sweaty guitar-hero rock-god theme, and keeping alive every adolescent male's fantasy that they too can be a rock-god one day (see photo). Fans of classic rock (AC/DC, Lynyrd Skynyrd) and, of course, Kings of Leon shouldn't miss an opportunity to catch a live performance from Nashville's Bang Bang Bang. Furthermore, frontman Jaren Johnston told the audience that "Warner Brothers has finally got their shit together" and so they are heading to Los Angeles very soon to record their highly anticipated Warner Brothers release (see photo). —Vincent Wynne |
