Last night I was treated to a great show at Montreal’s Metropolis. The venue was California’s own Silversun Pickups. Outside the Metropolis on it was a chili oct evening but inside the crowd was warm and they were ready to rock and they made the Silversun Pickups know it.

Opening the evening were the bands “An Horse” and “Cage the Elephant”. An Horse was great, a more indie flavored version of the White Stripes with a softer feel and wonderful vocal harmonies. Cage the Elephant brought out 70’s Brit rock to the Metropolis mixed in with a bit of rap. You might know them from their hit single  “Aint No Rest for the Wicked” which has flooded indie radio stations all over the country.

After an hour and a half of opening bands, the Silversun Pickups took the stage. And what a show they put on! Brian Aubert’s distinctive voice and guitar sound has single handedly put their sound on the indie map and original enough to make the Silversun pickups stick out from other bands in the indie scene. Nikki Monninger, as delicate and shy as she seems to be, accompanied the venue with her thumping baselines that seem to have drive the rhythm of the quartets music. Chris Guanlao is always a treat to watch as he attacks those drums with no remorse, hair flying all over the place, playing his heart out keeping the band in check. Last but definitely not least, Joe Lester, who’s smooth and silky keyboard samples adds that je ne sais quoi to all of the of the Silversun Pickups songs.

The concert itself was memorable, they did not disappoint the crowd and they played all of their hits while coming back to perform a 3 song encore, ending off the venue with “Common Reactor”. Which I thought was an appropriate ending as the band left the stage while Brian’s guitar was left on stage to the sound of an endless feedback that sent shivers down your spine. The over all pace of the show was excellent, their set list and song selections worked very well one after the other to keep the crowd pumping and thumping for more. This was their second time back in Montreal and by the looks of things the next time they return they may have to set themselves up at a larger venue. And if they do they will sell out again and I will be there to cheer them on.

Reviewed written by artist/musician Raymon Fong:
http://www.ournationsempire.com
http://www.raymonfong.com