Oxford Collapse/Love as Laughter/The Foundry Field Recordings @ Mojo's, 09/15/08

The problem with Monday night is that it is invariably followed by Tuesday, a day wherein most people go to work or school and are thusly reluctant to spend Monday night at a rock ‘n’ roll show. This is probably a sensible, if overrated, line of thinking.

It’s not surprising, then, that a crowd of roughly three dozen people had thinned to about 10 people by the time Oxford Collapse took the stage. Of those, maybe four hadn’t been on stage at some point. Based on the merits of the show, though, you wouldn’t have known the crowd wouldn’t have even been able to scrounge up a decent flag football game.

Guitarist Mike Pace, bassist Adam Rizer and drummer Dan Fetherston stomped and yowled their way through an 11-song set. The three-piece outfit has a much larger stage presence. Even though the audience was the size of the family on “Jon and Kate Plus Eight,” the band busted out some quintessential rock moves. Rizer enthusiastically lunged around the stage and occasionally ventured on top of a piano. Fetherston, rocking a handlebar moustache, pounded the drums with both vim and vigor. And Pace delivered a commanding, arresting vocal performance. For the 10 of us. That’s showmanship.

The situation didn’t go without comment; Pace dedicated “The Birthday Wars” to both a group (three counts as a group, right?) of dancing people and folks sitting on the patio. When pressed to choose one, Pace replied, “There are enough people here to dedicate a single song to everyone, and this way no one feels like they’re left out.”

The 1-2-3 combo of “Parks,” “Boys” and “John Blood” was a highlight of a strong set. “Parks” is a fantastic song. Its accusatory growls are a good reminder of liner notes’ usefulness. It’s difficult to sing along to lyrics like “dawtooyawoooz” unless you know they translate to “down to your roots.” If only there had been people to sing along.

“John Blood” is an example of the magic that happens when an angular drum groove, a tight bassline and a sinewy, taut guitar riff combine forces. It’s like the aural equivalent of candy corn and peanuts: separately, they’re awesome, but together it’s even better.

The vocal interplay between Pace and bassist Adam Rizer on songs such as “Vernon-Jackson” adds dimension to their music. Rizer’s nasal timbre nicely complements Pace’s enthusiastic yelp.

Thanks to Mike, Dan and Adam for putting on an energetic show for a group that could fit comfortably in a Suburban.

Fun bonus fact! The diorama on the cover of “Bits” (link) was a gift to Mike Pace, and it represents the Mexican Day of the Dead (as opposed to the film with Nick Cannon). Pace said the figure on the right with the broken leg represents “the bassist,” though Rizer’s leg appeared to be in good working order — well, at least good enough for him to stand on the piano.

(click to enlarge)

The Foundry Field Recordings












Love as Laughter

















Oxford Collapse













Setlist
Back of the Yards
Molasses
For the Winter Coats
Vernon-Jackson
The Birthday Wars
Last American Virgin
A Wedding
Please Visit Your National Parks
The Boys Go Home
John Blood
Bikini

"Please Visit Your National Parks" (and farms, I guess):


[review by Katie Krawczak; photos by Meghan Sundermeier]