As much as I tried to come into this gig with a clear mindset, I couldn’t help but think this was a Beach Fossils versus DIIV label mates event. DIIV, one of the most impressive live bands I’ve seen of the past few years versus a band that has a reputation in Brooklyn for kicking it live, but has found itself playing second fiddle recently to the emergence of DIIV ( Zachary Cole used play in Beach Fossils).
DIIV’s sets are serious, workmen-like, and they play the debut album in corresponding sequence with little banter between songs, allowing them to carry momentum and really drive home set-closing tracks like ‘ Doused ’ and ‘ Geist ’. Beach Fossils instead choose to pace themselves for most of their set (maybe the effect of touring for a few more years has reduced the intensity). Banter plays a memorable factor between songs, especially between lead man Dustin Payseur and Tommy Davidson .
Despite being heavy on the swearing, there’s no denying that the sarcastic banter between the two is entertaining, with lines such as “ This is our first show ever, we’ve been practicing here for five years, too expensive to practice in New York ”, “ This next song fucking sucks ”, “ My vocals are fucked thanks to singing the Backstreet Boys all day ” and “ This next song is about me, what the fuck you going to say? ” The only problem was that every line had a condescending sour undertone; it was bittersweet, which would make more sense at the end of the set.
Beach Fossils (photo by Juliette Henrioud)
Before that, however, were a collection of songs from the debut album, What A Pleasure EP and the recent sophomore album Clash The Truth (despite convincing some crowd members that they were just jamming Phish style). What I didn’t expect at all was that the recent, more aggressive songs of Clash The Truth , which were designed to enhance the live appeal, never managed to outshine the recorded versions for the album. Part of this wasn’t the bands fault, as the PA level was noticeably low at the sound desk. Where the explosive finishes on tracks ‘ Taking Off ’ and ‘ Crashed Out ’ should’ve had my ears bleeding, I didn’t even break a sweat.
Not all was lost; the live version of the debut albums standout tracks ‘ Vacation ’, ‘ Golden Age ’ and ‘ Daydream ’ (the sets highlight), which were recorded in a bedroom with a fairly flat production, carried an immediate punch live, thanks in particular to the drumming. While the drummer is technically sound, you can tell he’s the newest member of the bands ever-changing rotation, often a split second off on the cymbal crashes. That isn’t a huge issue for most bands, but at Beach Fossils’ frenetic live pace and precision playing, it cut the momentum at times.
This shouldn’t be used as an excuse for the crowd though, who were more interested in analysing the show in true “ Brooklynite ” style than crowd surfing (only two serious attempts that I counted). Dustin actually out-surfed the crowd during ‘ Clash The Truth ’ (embarrassing effort Melbourne).
Than after a two song encore, the most significant part of the show happened and it really put everything into perspective. Dustin proceeded to rant under his breath for over 5 minutes about “ I haven’t done shit with my life, this is all I’ve ever done ”, “ I failed at school, this is all I have” and “I have no control of this fucking shit ”. This pre-rehearsed mumbling as the band continued to crash out was harsh in contrast to the show, where he had promised several times to “ not be a downer ”. While part of the crowd admired his honesty, he came off more as a privileged and unappreciative young man.
Sure, he can write songs with the best of them but he isn’t enjoying it – or at least he’s not convinced that this is what he should be doing with his life. And maybe that’s why the What A Pleasure EP has always been their most enjoyable release; because he was genuinely enjoying himself throughout its affair.
WORDS BY Marcus Rimondini
Comments
.