In an unusual display of mutual self-abnegation, Rogue Wave singer Zach Rogue personally responded to every request shouted out by the sold-out Paradise crowd. The crowd likewise responded with loving adoration.
“Chicago!” – “We’ll play that in a little bit.”
“California!” – “Wait ‘til the rest of the guys come back on stage.”
“Perfect!” – “Oh, I forget how to play that.” [Tunes his guitar and sings a couple of bars.] “Everything was perfect until you came along...”
“Should I play ‘Eyes’ or ‘Cheaper Than Therapy?’” – “Whatever you want!”
For their first stop of an ambitious, eight-city tour before Coachella, Rogue Wave performed an even mix of all three of its albums, including Asleep at Heaven’s Gate, their highly acclaimed, late-2007 release.
With their stripped down, clean guitars and oh so pretty vocals, Rogue Wave often draws comparison to the Shins. But while the Shins’ disengaged and forthright sound might “change your life,” Rogue Wave’s dreamy pop might spoon you until you fall asleep at heav—oh, you know.
On their recent release, Rogue Wave continues to build on the more acoustic origins of their debut Out of the Shadow (mostly envisioned by singer Zach), now offering a well-balanced mix of layered vocals, sleepy guitar jams and pared-down acoustic numbers.
Despite Rogue Wave’s keen ability to maintain a healthy energy while engaging the crowd, after about an hour, their sleepy, pretty sound wears thin. At 1:05, this concertgoer thought, "You guys need to start breaking guitars or something, ‘cause I’m about to fall asleep right in front of the stage."
And because Rogue Wave knows how to thoughtfully engineer a tight set, at 1:08, they did just that, going apeshit with each band member grabbing a drumstick and pounding on any available flat surface. To be precise, according to the setlist I read, what I call “going apeshit,” they call “jazzmastering.”
Further to this keen ability and love of their fans, Rogue Wave then transitioned to the radio-friendly crowd-favorites “Lake Michigan” and “Harmonium” before returning with a solo acoustic encore and one final jazzmastering to close the night.
As Zach announced during the show, be on the lookout for a soon-to-be-released video for “Chicago X 12” with Bob Odenkirk (of Mr. Show fame) and the addition to their sets of “Phonytown,” which they performed for the first time at the Paradise.
Set list follows.
With its high-energy funk-blues fusion sound, opener Grand Ole Party was a great complement to Rogue Wave. Because as tedious as sleepy rock ‘n roll is after 1:05, back-to-back sets of sleepy rock ‘n roll would be mind-numbing.
GOP has received a bit of White Stripes comparison, mainly because of its female drummer. But, hey, bonus! Drummer Kristin is also the singer! And vaguely reminiscent of Jack White’s bluesy, howlin’ vocals!
GOP played a tight, near-hour set, carried by the impressively energetic drumming and singing of Kristin and supported by a heavy, funky bass line.
Just breaking out of the San Diego scene and promoting their debut Humanimals, GOP is definitely a band to watch. While they lack that sort of unique stand-out quality, they certainly have potential.
And besides, girl drummers are hot. At least Denise was, this Liv Tyler look-a-like who went to my college. She played in a really annoying college jam band, but she played the drums!
Rogue Wave Set-list:
01. Like I Needed
02. Every Moment
03. Lullaby
04. Publish My Love
05. Medicine Ball
06. Sewn Up
07. Christians in Black
08. Chicago X 12
09. Are You On My Side
10. Phonytown
11. Postage Stamp World
12. Kicking the Heart Out
13. Bird on a Wire
14. Lake Michigan
15. Harmonium
Encore
01. Man-revolutionary!
02. Cheaper Than Therapy
03. California
04. Love’s Lost Guarantee
05. Salesman at the Day of the Parade
