Bubbles (not Michael Jackson's chimp or a stripper you once met at Mons Venus) were all that was needed to accentuate Surfer Blood's stellar performance last night at the State Theatre. West Palm Beach is not a huge hot spot for up and coming bands, but Surfer Blood has changed that. Last year, Pitchfork named their single “Swim” one of the top 100 of 2009. Since then, their debut album has received much critical acclaim and the band just penned a deal with Columbia records. Aside from that, they will be the supporting band for Interpol’s upcoming European tour. Not too shabby for a band that started just over a year ago.

The band tore through an hours worth of their high energy, fun tunes while fans danced and crowd surfed in delight. Even band errors such as the guitarists being out of tune for much of the first song served to make the bands sound more real and sincere. Comparisons to bands such as Weezer, and Built to Spill are certainly noticeable but none more apparent than their comparison to Pavement. They enforced this fact by closing out the nights show with an excellent energy filled cover of Pavement’s “Box Elder”. If the band comes through again (and they most likely will play an even larger venue), do not miss the chance to catch them. Very refreshing to see a young band doing something new and fun.

Brooklyn’s The Drums were nothing short of unoriginal. I lived through the 80’s once, and then again earlier this decade thanks to an 80’s resurgence. My interest in seeing a band playing songs that mimic the excellent work of Echo & The Bunnymen, Aztec Camera, The Smiths, or Joy Division dwindled long ago. That said, what The Drums do, they do well. Showmanship was over the top including seemingly choreographed dance, members only style jackets, and energy that was near frantic. Singer Jonathan Pierce used was so enthused in fact that he used his microphone as if it were a drum numerous times, much to the dismay of the soundman that feared damage to the PA speakers. I cannot fault the guy for his exuberant behavior. The crowd was extremely pumped on the bands set and didn’t hesitate to show it.

Sunday nights show was an all around fun time. If you missed the show, you missed out.

Surfer Blood

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

The Drums

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.