Tampa Calling

The Show is the Rainbow, pictured, also performed Friday.

Editor’s note: Review and pic by B.Treotch.

Though not heavily attended, the crowd of mostly die-hard fans were packed tight under the red and white striped tent at Jannus Landing on Fri., Oct. 24. The Faint lead singer Todd Fink was wearing what looked to be a Calvin Klein designed lab coat with WWII aviator goggles. That turned out to be fitting. The Nebraskan quintet creates a music experiment that sits on the cusp of dance party and indie noise-rock — stylish, but never letting you get too comfortable. It works.

After a lively opening number, The Faint went into “Glass Danse” followed by “Take Me to the Hospital,” a song not found on any album, but with enough deep bass and chopped beats to get all those under the tent shaking ass. One fan was overheard saying, “These indie rock kids better have their Chucks tied tight, or they’re going to get funked right out of em.’” Pretty spot on, I thought. Mixing songs from its newest album, Fasciinatiion, along with older tracks — “Forever Growing Centipedes,” “Posed to Death,” “Psycho” — The Faint kept the energy elevated. A short, but solid set left most of the hipsters craving more.

Opener Summerbirds in the Cellar, of Orlando, made good on well-placed, subtle harmonies and solid songwriting, juxtaposed against quality, pulsating electro-rock. It’s not something you typically hear in a local band. Unfortunately, most of those who paid to catch The Faint on Friday didn’t hear it either. Summerbirds in the Cellar were only allotted five songs. Frustrating. But the band will be playing Tampa Bay sometime in the mid December, location TBA.

Here’s an extended version of B.Treotch’s review.

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