There's something absolutely mesmerizing about two drummers and their drum kits side-by-side in absolute unison, centre stage. And so, Thee Oh Sees stormed the Commodore with percussionists Ryan Moutinho and Dan Rincon up front, flanked on either side by singer/guitarist John Dwyer and bassist Tim Hellman.
It's rare to see percussionists so close-up, let alone two of them. Combined with the frantic brashness of Dwyer, Thee Oh Sees pulled off an exceptional set that somehow felt aggressive, yet intimate — and entirely engaging at once. Dwyer threw down an impressive performance with his guitar strapped high on his chest, occasionally running to his synth setup to open or close a track, but not addressing the crowd aside from a few thank-yous.
Drilling home that the drummers were the stars of the show, though, an extended, frenetic dual solo broke out during the last track, leaving the other band members to fall back into the shadows of the lowered lights, but still managing to shine through in their own supporting roles.
It's rare to see percussionists so close-up, let alone two of them. Combined with the frantic brashness of Dwyer, Thee Oh Sees pulled off an exceptional set that somehow felt aggressive, yet intimate — and entirely engaging at once. Dwyer threw down an impressive performance with his guitar strapped high on his chest, occasionally running to his synth setup to open or close a track, but not addressing the crowd aside from a few thank-yous.
Drilling home that the drummers were the stars of the show, though, an extended, frenetic dual solo broke out during the last track, leaving the other band members to fall back into the shadows of the lowered lights, but still managing to shine through in their own supporting roles.