Tapes 'n Tapes
Date: May 14, 2007 Still Filled with Rage Tapes 'n Tapes and Ladyhawk made a great combo at Barrymore's, with each delivering a fast-paced set of energetic rock. I had never seen either band before but I left hoping to see both return soon. By the time that I arrived, slightly late, Ladyhawk singer Duffy Driediger was already in a sweat, which quickly proved understandable, given the band's aggressive playing. I knew Ladyhawk by name only going in to the concert but they quickly made me a fan with their powerful playing and catchy songs. The whole band sounded great, with guitarist Darcy Hancock making a particularly strong impression, despite keeping to the back of the stage. Fortunately, I was able to catch the majority of their set, seeing more than enough to know that I should arrive on time when they're in town next. Although the floor at Barrymore's was definitely not packed, Tapes 'n Tapes took the stage to strong applause, wasting little time before unloading "Just Drums." As with the opening band, the sound was very good, with all of the instruments and vocals coming across very clear. In the early going, I found that the band sounded less varied than on album, sticking to a straight-ahead rock sound on the songs, which kept the energy high. That said, there is enough dynamism within the individual songs to keep the music interesting, as demonstrated by the sudden upswing in the chorus of "10 Gallon Ascots," with its rapid-fire drumming. Before this show, I had not realized that drummer Jeremy Hanson utilizes a three-piece kit; but that configuration explains why the snare is such a strong element of the band's sound, often punctuating their songs. Singer Josh Grier paused to talk to the crowd a few times, acknowledging the Senators playoff win earlier in the evening and promising that the rat tail that he was sporting was to be a one-night affair, as part of a transition from a recent haircut. In general, though, Tapes 'n Tapes kept to a rapid pace, fitting a lot of songs into their stage time. As the show progressed, I found that the band did showcase a wider musical range, with quieter numbers like "Omaha" and "Manitoba" providing a balance to the more unhinged rock of "Cowbell." Like Ladyhawk before them, they ended on a peak, pairing "Insistor" with "Jakov's Suite" to wrap up the night. Tapes 'n Tapes proved to be as fun as I was expecting, while Ladyhawk was equally enjoyable, making for another great night of music. Tapes 'n Tapes setlist 
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