Olympia, WA's Gun Outfit were marking their first appearance in Vancouver. The band -- who recently released their debut LP on Post Present Medium, the label co-run by No Age's Dean Spunt -- draw from influences like Dinosaur Jr. and Meat Puppets, while lead vocalist bears a striking resemblance to Howe Gelb of Giant Sand, acting as a mellow counterpoint to No Age's raucous sound.
Unfortunately for Gun Outfit, the Rickshaw Theatre, a massive room encased with concrete walls, isn't all that forgiving to bands that have a sound more suited to smaller clubs. The trio's two guitarists and a drummer fought to rein in their moody jangle pop but to no avail. What would have been sharp guitar lines and strong vocals floated to the high ceiling, dramatically cutting the edge of their sound. It's too bad, because Possession Sound is an excellent but underrated album that probably would have won the crowd over in a more suitable venue.
No Age, on the other hand, had no issues filling the Rickshaw with their massive sound. The main duo, which had a third touring member helming a table of electronics, unleashed a rock fury that had more in common with shoegaze than the energetic punk they have become synonymous with. Drawing equally from their three albums, No Age added an exciting layer of effects to some of their now classic songs, all of which were blared at such an incredible volume that it felt like they could have filled an arena. The crowd in front of the stage responded to the ecstatic performance and formed a rabid mosh pit that looked as it if was ready to boil over.
Despite making their career in tiny clubs, No Age were able to pull off the daunting task of filling the cavernous Rickshaw, which is quite the feat for almost any band.
Unfortunately for Gun Outfit, the Rickshaw Theatre, a massive room encased with concrete walls, isn't all that forgiving to bands that have a sound more suited to smaller clubs. The trio's two guitarists and a drummer fought to rein in their moody jangle pop but to no avail. What would have been sharp guitar lines and strong vocals floated to the high ceiling, dramatically cutting the edge of their sound. It's too bad, because Possession Sound is an excellent but underrated album that probably would have won the crowd over in a more suitable venue.
No Age, on the other hand, had no issues filling the Rickshaw with their massive sound. The main duo, which had a third touring member helming a table of electronics, unleashed a rock fury that had more in common with shoegaze than the energetic punk they have become synonymous with. Drawing equally from their three albums, No Age added an exciting layer of effects to some of their now classic songs, all of which were blared at such an incredible volume that it felt like they could have filled an arena. The crowd in front of the stage responded to the ecstatic performance and formed a rabid mosh pit that looked as it if was ready to boil over.
Despite making their career in tiny clubs, No Age were able to pull off the daunting task of filling the cavernous Rickshaw, which is quite the feat for almost any band.
