Offering up a significant dose of feverish drums, whining guitar riffs and provocative lyrics, the Films, with the help of Philly’s Eastern Conference Champions, blasted out the basement of Union Hall in Brooklyn, Thursday night (April 12). Eastern Conference Champions, who impressed early with everything from their strong cult following to their high-energy flexibility, was spot on thanks to the pounding drums of Greg Lyons and the wide baselines of Vern Z.
But with the look, sound and swagger of a Yankee Libertines, it was the glossy rock’n’roll of the Films that really took over — an infectious live set, which included “Black Shoes” and “Tabletops,” showed flashes of everything from Nirvana to Neil Young and back to Babyshambles. Films frontman Michael Trent upheld the band’s cocksure appeal, leaning over the dancing front rows and mumbled “It’s gonna get really good from here on out.” And it did, although at times the clothes and mugs seemed to be more of an act, the Films played their hearts out. Not bad for a band from Charleston, SC. DAVID BARON / PHOTOS BY DAVE GUSTAV
>> Listen to the Films on Napster
>> Listen to Eastern Conference Champions on Napster
We asked: If you could see any band in an intimate setting like Union Hall, who would it be?
