wheatus at the clubhouse myrtle beach
By Amanda Kraft
for Weekly Surge
It was an overall satisfying blend of new, old, familiar and foreign when The Artichokes, the Crash Moderns, Hand Grenade and headliner Wheatus played at the Clubhouse Myrtle Beach Aug. 21.
First up was five-piece local band The Artichokes. Last time I saw these young men perform was at the now-defunct Social on Ninth Avenue North. They had just started playing shows, and I recall them having a mandolin in the band. I was expecting to hear a slightly refined version of the Shins-like, indie rock-feel that they had almost two years ago. I was pleasantly surprised that The Artichokes not only added keys to the line-up since then, but also had more of a punk rock edge. Climbing bass lines by Max Glazier were most impressive. Lyrics sung by rhythm guitar player, Emrys McMahon, were akin to that of Saves the Day and Alkaline Trio, yet the band had a distinct sound that at times reminded me of Modest Mouse. This was most apparent in "Sweater Weather," my hands-down favorite song of the night. (Editor's note: Glazier died Aug. 23 at Georgetown Memorial Hospital. He was 17.)
I honestly don't have much to say about New York-based the Crash Moderns. If I wasn't reviewing the show, I probably would have joined the majority of the local musicians out on the side deck for a smoke break during their set; and, I don't even smoke. Song titles like "Where'd All the Scene Girls Go" and "Pimp My Life" were an instant turn off. And, even if I ignored the lyrics sung by guitarist Danny Roselle, I just couldn't get over their cookie-cutter, radio-friendly sound. Regardless, the younger crowd seemed into it. What's really disappointing is that bands like the Crash Moderns will probably go on to be featured in magazines such as Alternative Press, while local bands with both original sound and style will mostly likely never be signed to a record deal.
It wasn't until the break between the Crash Moderns and Hand Grenade that the venue really filled up. During this time I saw Weekly Surge contributor/Something About Vampires and Sluts frontman/concert promoter, Michael Wood running to and fro, making sure the show was running smoothly.
It seemed like everyone around me was waiting for New Jersey-made, Myrtle Beach-founded Hand Grenade to start. As soon as the first chord was struck, the crowd maneuvered its way around the pool tables to get as close as possible. Taking note of the crowd's obvious enthusiasm, Josh Rainone's (aka WKZQ's Dr. J) announced over the microphone, "You guys came to party, and we fucking love it!" Drums by Wally C. (Walter Conroy) looked effortless, as always. Right before "For What It's Worth," the drummer took off his shirt, causing a chain reaction among the frequent show-goers to strip down as well. Before the start of "Obligatory Love Song," Conroy was rather appropriately down to his undies. On-stage antics aside, there was no wasted energy in his movements; and, there was definite chemistry between he and bass player Mark Mailer (aka WKZQ's Jersey). Towards the end of the set, most of the audience was singing along. Everyone in the crowd at least sang vocals to "Disco Lush." In response to this, Rainone uttered mid-song, with a bit of a surprise in his voice, "That's fucking awesome."
Wheatus - best known for the turn of the Millennium hit "Teenage Dirtbag" - played last, of course. The four-piece (plus two female back-up singers) started off with "Truffles," the first song from the band's first album. The band brought its own P.A. system and soundman. From the beginning of the set, I overheard rumbling about it sounding "too electronic," and I agree that it did sound a bit too polished. I felt like I was listening to a Wheatus CD rather than a live show. It was quintessential power pop/pop punk, and I was most definitely intrigued by the electronic, stand-up bass played by Matthew Milligan, sometimes with a bow. Drums by Kevin Garcia were also electronic, and I wondered how different the overall sound may have been if the rubber cymbals were replaced by the real deal. While quite a few people stayed at the front, engaged with the band (singer/guitar player Brendan Brown made several references over the microphone to the Irish exchange students in attendance), the rest of the crowd was dispersed around the bar and were talking amongst itself. I felt like I was at a house party. Halfway through the set, Brown jokingly suggested it was time to just play "Teenage Dirtbag" and go home. However, Wheatus rocked on with the bitter love song "Lemonade" and "A Little Respect" (half the crowd whole-heartedly sang the chorus to the latter) before finally playing the radio hit everyone had been anticipating.