The Upwelling

The Upwelling are a NY-based band consisting of Conor Heffernan (keyboards and bass pedals) and brothers Ari (vocals and guitar) and Josh Ingber (drums and harmony). Their first full-length album AN AMERICAN STRANGER is out now on Edmond/Doghouse Records.

In September 2007, the band was signed by Tyson Ritter (The All American Rejects) to his label, Edmond Records (an imprint in partnership with Doghouse Records and Warner Bros). The 2005 EP included Scott Morley on keyboards, who spent 2005 in the band. In 2006, Conor Heffernan joined the band through 2009 and the recording of An American Stranger. The band also, has enjoyed touring with several friends such as guitarists Lee Moretti, Kevin “Space Dog” McMahon, Boris Pelekh, Mike “Show Time” Mulieri, and Dileepan Ganesan.

This is the first time I have witnessed this band perform and perhaps because I expect a lot from USA bands, I was a little disappointed. Opening as second support is never easy, and especially in a foreign land. I sensed nervousness especially from lead-man Ari Ingber whose opening vocals were somewhat tenuous. But as the set wore on he gained in confidence and not only hit his notes and provided a venomous guitar display, but also chatted easily with the audience. In fact the second half of their set was impressive, not least because the songs from their debut album are melodic and emotional. Instrumentally, I couldn’t fault the guys who were rewarded with genuine applause from the young audience after each song.

Set List: Garden, Losers, The Sun, Ramones, American Girl, Wanderlust, Way, New Streets

American Steel

While clearly influenced by the early East Bay sound, American Steel’s song structures often owe more to the much older sounds of traditional Motown, folk, and rock than to punk or hardcore. This combination of traditional music and punk rock, of the subtlety of the former with the power of the latter, defines and reconciles the diverse group of songs that make up JAGGED THOUGHTS, American Steel’s early LP. Having fully absorbed their punk influences to make ROGUE’S MARCH, a new definitive East Bay Punk album, American Steel set forth to start creating an entirely new genre of music. An exciting take on rock and roll equally tempered by punk’s hardness, swagger and jangle and melodic pop’s irresistible essence, JAGGED THOUGHTS was a highly regarded work by a band of promise.

In the spring of 2002 the band broke up, only to shortly reform under the name of Communiqué with the addition of a keyboardist. The band reformed early in 2007, and have since released the album DESTROY THEIR FUTURE, and in 2009, DEAR FRIENDS AND GENTLE HEARTS on Fat Wreck Chords.

No signs of nervousness from the main support band who have been playing together since the mid-nineties. In fact lead-man Rory Henderson was positively laid-back. With Raymond Massey on guitars and vocals, John Peck on bass and vocals and Scott Healey on drums supporting with driving instrumentals, the band could not put a foot wrong. This was a sonically diverse set covering every mood, and closing with the relatively light vibe (complete with singalong) of ‘Safe And Sound’ and ‘Mean Street.’ This was an assured performance of a band who cut their teeth on live performance, and it showed. Also impressive were the vocal performances from Massey and Peck - a band with three lead vocalists!

Set List: Emergency House Party, Tear The Place Apart, Dead and Gone, Blood Gets, Sons Of Avarice, Loaded Gun, Old Croy Road, Smile On Me, Safe And Sound, Mean Streak