Manchester Scenewipe

The Boxer Rebellion // We are Augustines // The Ruby Lounge // 06.03.11

Wednesday, March 9th, 2011, 9:00 am

First up in the evenings rock n roll schedule are Brookyln’s We are Augustines. Rising from the ashes of Pela, the New Yorkers showcased tracks from eagerly anticipated debut album Rise Ye Sunken Ships, produced alongside Dave Newfeld of Broken Social Scene.

Each song tells it’s own story. The story of the bands formation, broaching the untimely passing of frontman Bill McCarthy’s brother. The tale of We are Augustines is clearly a deep one, and one that McCarthy clearly wants to poetically share.

He does what frontmen do best. Audience interaction, spot on. However it’s in the music that we see the passion, the emotion and the heartbreak.  It’s instrumentally pleasing, but it’s the power of the vocal that stands out, as instantly distinctive as I’ve heard for a while. Download Chapel Song and have a goosey. Phenomenally beautiful. They will be back in Manchester soon, deservedly headlining.

The Boxer Rebellion are a band I have followed pretty much since their creation. There’s just something about the four-piece that I have grown to admire over the course of their three albums. An evolution from debut album Exits, a wall of noise, to The Cold Still, gloriously anthemic. This transfers into a stunning performance in the intimate Ruby lounge.

After opening with the two standout tracks of the new album, The Runner and Organ Song, the band effortlessly powered through their set. It’s blended into a pleasant cocktail, showcasing both sides to the band. We still see guitarist Todd Howe’s lessons on how to batter the life out of a guitar and produce a wall of noise any rock‘n’roll fan will appreciate in Cowboys and Engines. (Take note Mumford and your silly banjo)

On the flipside, we’re treated to a delicate performance of Both Sides are Even, showcasing a vulnerable side to vocalist Nathan Nicholson. He’s on top form, but then again, I’m still to witness a poor performance from the band.

I always look forward to hearing Watermelon, as do most of the crowd it seems. It’s brutal darkness that still sounds fresh, 8 years after slapping the alternative scene round the mush.  Still, a wander through the audience from Nicholson still only ignites a few in a static audience. Clearly, the fleece wearing Sunday crowd were happy to stand and appreciate rather than bring their dancing shoes.

See the thing is, The Boxer Rebellion have never had a hit single, and in reality, probably never will. They might have appeared in a film with Drew Barrymore and that guy from Dodgeball, but the truth is, they are talented songwriters, and know how to give it some live. That’s why they are a proper band and that’s why they are still doing what they do best.

WORDS & SNAPS by Tom Corney