Review by Cassie Rossel
An overwhelmingly ecstatic crowd piled into the House of Blues Anaheim on Friday night for the Devious Means’ EP release party. Together with Robert Jon & the Wreck, Midnight Hour, the Silent Comedy and Moonsville Collective, the Devious Means provided fans with a night that was nothing short of exceptional.
Robert Jon & the Wreck was first to hit the stage and managed to start the night off on a pleasantly high note. The audience was left yearning for more once the band finished its set, and Moonsville Collective was there to fulfill the cravings.
The bluegrass-folk act performed throughout the night not on the stage, but rather in the center of the venue’s first floor pit area. With a total of three separate performances, Moonsville Collective was the glue that held the night together. It kept the crowd entertained between Robert Jon & the Wreck, Midnight Hour and the Silent Comedy’s sets with its numerous instruments and a unique flavor that is truly unlike any other band in Southern California.
Rock quintet Midnight Hour’s lead vocalist Brad Lodge fired up the crowd with his particularly high vocal range. A certain flavor comes about in the band’s music due to that voice, which makes it a stand out act among other local bands. Not to mention Lodge’s commandment of a stage, which is slightly reminiscent of Mick Jagger’s legendary stage presence. This cue from the Jagger handbook is clearly something that worked for Lodge and the rest of the band.
Not to be out done, San Diego blues-rock band the Silent Comedy followed with a solid performance that was packed full of energy and liveliness. Lead vocalist and bassist Joshua Zimmerman even dove into the crowd and danced with fans for an entire song while guitarist, keys player and vocalist, Jeremiah Zimmerman took lead. With its anthem-like choruses, the Silent Comedy readied the crowd for the Devious Means coming up next.
The headlining indie rock quintet took over the evening with a plethora of instruments that are rarely seen or used throughout the Orange County music scene. Along with a cover of the Ting Ting’s hit “That’s Not My Name,” the group primarily focused on tracks off its new EP, “Songs We All Are Singing.” Without neglecting the music of its 2011 debut EP, “Presenting The Devious Means,” the rockers managed to give a performance that showed off the many sides that makes up the Devious Means.
Aside from her Adele-like vocal chops, female lead Rachel Anderson showed off her many musical talents on the keys, clarinet and trumpet, and was without a doubt the standout member of the group.
Male lead Christopher Faris did not go unnoticed either. The harmonies compiled by Anderson and Faris hardly lacked beauty, and what was more amazing was the effortlessness both vocalists exuded, a sign of truly seasoned performers.
Without strain, the group managed to wring out dancers and singers all throughout the audience. Although fans did not need much convincing, due to the already joyous and excited energy, they stuck by the group and did not miss out on one moment of the music.
In an unexpected twist, TDM invited a choir to accompany the band for its final two songs of the night. Going out with a bang in its final song, the rock act walked off stage to the sounds of the crowd’s continuous chants: “One more song!”
After several minutes of chanting, the Devious Means gave the crowd a little more than what they wanted and performed an encore that consisted of three songs.
From the upbeat danceable tracks, to the slowed down and intimate songs that flaunted many of the members’ musical abilities, the quintet left a lasting impression on its audience that makes it impossible to forget the name the Devious Means.
More O.C. Nightlife:
- Slideshow: Restaurant, Parker Macy Blues turn up the volume at King’s Inn Tuesday night
- Orange Pop: The Devious Means release second EP
- Review: Brazilian rockers CSS take over the Observatory
- Slideshow: 25 years and there’s still No Doubt
- Review: Half Past Two fans go wild at the Spring Break Ska Social in Anaheim
- Review: Orgy spirited but rusty on tour closer at Observatory
- Video: Mayday Mayday at King’s Inn at Memphis Cafe
- Music News: Kiss & Motley Crue tour invades Irvine in August
- Orange Pop: Midnight Hour goes slow and steady
- Interview: Seven years later, a new Orgy returns to O.C.
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