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March 21, 2008
Tavern in the Woods
Homewood, Illinois
Paper Street Company took the stage first in a three band gig that played at Tavern in the Woods in Homewood, Illinois, a cozy venue with lots of wood which digested the sound without killing the music. This is the first time I've heard or have seen Paper Street Company. I was quite impressed. I've always enjoyed seeing bands live rather than listen to their studio tracks. Live music tends to add a depth to what the musician is playing and Paper Street Company didn't disappoint.
The quartet consists of Brendan Murphy on vocals/guitar, Steve Wallin on drums, Joe LaDuke on guitar/backing vocals, and Matt Boss on bass. I can't think of any band they remind me of, and it was quite easy to really get into their music, which is a mix of rock and alternative, with a little pop thrown in. Paper Street Company has a very clean-cut, all-American look, reminding me of preppy college boys, but with a devilish undertone.
Lead singer Brendan reminds me of a young Gordon Gano (Violent Femmes), not only in his stage presence, but in his strong vocal range and depth, and in the way he interacted with the crowd. This is the highest compliment I can give to a singer, because in my opinion, Gordon Gano is the world's best singer. And I'm not saying Brendan sounds like Gano, (Brendan has his own sound), he just has that cool Gano-esqe quality about him.
Steve, Joe, and Matt each played their instruments with energy and enthusiasm and were dynamic in the way they complemented each other musically and with Brendan's vocals. Even though the venue and crowd was intimate, Paper Street Company showed their love of what they were doing by playing as if they were playing for thousands. That impressed me very much. What I especially liked was that I could understand the words Brendan was singing, which isn't something you can say about a lot of local bands out there.
Paper Street Company played a 35-minute, eleven song set. All of their songs were enjoyable, but I particularly liked, "Diving into Teacups", a catchy tune that varies between soft melodies and intense rhythms, and "Changes for Felicity", a rhythmically rocking and energetic song.
You can hear two of their songs at their ReverbNation and MySpace sites ("Diving into Teacups" and "Sell Your Pop Song").
Paper Street Company is a band you definitely want to put on your favorites list, and won't want to miss seeing live.
Set List
Bright Light Smile
One Left Behind
Sell Your Pop Song
Designed for Failure
Diving into Teacups-
Untitled
I'll Die Waiting
Rock Paper Scissors
3 Simple Words
Changes for Felicity
Under Some Wires
Upcoming Paper Street Company Shows
--review by Lucy Midnight
http://myspace.com/paperstreetco
http://www.reverbnation.com/paperstreetco
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