Mobley + Loxsly - In Review

A pair of local bands hit the inside stage last night at the Mohawk, and those who braved the rain to check them out (avec moi) were treated to layered rock and pop-rock music.
Mobley hit the stage first, and I can say with confidence that lead singer and multi-instrumentalist Anthony Watkins II is going to be a star someday.  He’s got the swagger and stage presence to lift his vocal capabilities and create infectious energy.  The group’s sound was too big for the small Mohawk room, deafening those of us crowded inside.  They also had an impressive light show, utilizing their own equipment that would be more at home in an arena.  I was skeptical during the first song, when I couldn’t even hear Watkins sing and the lights flashed to a dizzying degree, but the three-piece proved to be substance and not just show, after all.  They have the big sound of a Coldplay, U2 or MUSE, and bassist Tim Shelburne, Jr. clearly displayed his technical skill, ramping up and down the bass fret to keep pace with Watkins.  Apparently, this was their drummer’s second show, and it showed – he seemed to be following Watkins’ lead as opposed to leading the pack.  Hopefully, with more practice and more shows, his confidence will grow and he’ll own the rhythm a bit more.  “Everything That Rises Must Converge” was a highlight, with a Hush Sound-esque synth accompaniment, and the final tune was incredibly danceable.  The group has enough musical diversity to keep it interesting, and I’m excited to see them continue to grow.

Loxsly is a favorite of this site (aka of this lady), and it was nice to see them perform after losing them to the east coast for a while.  Their set list featured a lot their harmony-laced songs, which sounded beautiful.  The solemn, gentle nature of their music makes it perfect for our fall weather.  “Battalions” came off heavy and full, with its fantastic rhythmic breakdown and Justin Douglas’ manic, Hendrix-approved guitar solo.  “As The Constellation’s Arms Uncurled” is my personal favorite, with it’s cosmic pop chorus and bright (sparkly?) keyboard intro.  “Lamprey Eels” was the crowd favorite; as soon as Eric Lugo’s memorable bass line kicked in, “woo!”’s echoed around the room.  According to guitarist Garrett Johnston, the group had an hour to practice together before the show (Johnston was working in New York away from the band up until last week), but it hardly showed.  Cody Ground, the lead singer and keyboard player for the group, quipped, “I just bit the microphone – it’s amateur hour.”  Still, the only real rocky spot Loxsly had came during their final jam, “The Manual That You Wrote,” with their first transition from 3/4 to 4/4.  Drummer Chris Rivera eyeballed the rest of the group to get everyone firmly in line, and audience members unfamiliar with Loxsly likely didn’t even notice the brief exchange.  The group completely overcame any insecurity for the awesome buildup that finishes the song, as it explodes into colorful chords and collective head-banging.  The group performed a new song at the show, currently untitled, that was almost dance-meets-shoegaze; it was breezy and sweet, with a fun Roy Orbison-like guitar breakdown.  They’ve got another gig in December at Emo’s, and if you’re a fan of carefully-crafted indie pop rock, go ahead and earmark the 11th now.