Metal Faerie

Look Hooz Left Gig 10.08.10

Welcome back.

We, Testament, Rivenis and I, arrive at McBrides. We are late. The band, Look Hooz Left, has already begun. Loudly I blame it on parking. Silently they blame it on me. We enter the establishment. I walk through the crowd, feeling out the energy of the room, looking for a good place to snap my shots.

The band is electric. They do not remind me of cool, irie vibes. They do not remind me of groovy, laidback surfer dudes. They do not remind me of palm trees and weed. All of which are awesome, but none of which are metal. They qualify. Glad I didn’t waste a drive across the island, I settle into their sound.

I settle into a most metal, double kicking, blast beat by Kirk Redman on drums. I settle into the tight, terrific technique of Marius Charlemagne on bass. I settle into a reggae-influenced riff by Jae Johansen on rhythm, and the palpable, passionate and powerful music of his lead vocals. They are good.

An ambient, moody, textured solo by Scott Zimmerman on lead fleshes out the timbre and tone of the other instrumentals. The hue of his backing vocals underscores the melody of Jae’s. Their songs span the spectrum from easy-listening to energetic, from Jason Mraz to Pink Floyd. They are very good.

I watch as the crowd watches them, the encouraging bob of their heads, the supportive tapping of their feet, the gracious clapping at the end of each song. I wonder at their conservatism and their shyness I wonder if they are self-conscious or if that is just how they have been socialised - conformist.

They don’t do what those around them won’t. Each one is the exact same as the other. Where is the expressed energy for the entertainment they are enjoying? One guy starts playing an air guitar, but the second eyes settle on him he stops, uncomfortable at having been caught. I sigh in exasperation.

Another guy dances, all flailing arms and swaying from one foot to the other. It looks silly and I love it, but before I can capture the moment, the song comes to an end and the moment is gone. A telltale glass of booze seems the source of his free spirit. Still I’d bet my favourite ear he’s a tourist and not a local.

In spite of this, I can safely say that the audience, though inexpressive and uninvolved, are by no means disinterested or unenthused. They’re simply accepting the gift being given as they are wont to do - passively. My one disappointment for tonight though, is that unlike the band, they aren’t showing how much fun they're having; and the band isn’t getting back what it deserves.

Jae jumps around, tossing his head back, casting his beautiful voice like a net over the barely audible audience, as Marius marches towards Kirk with a giant grin on his face. I feel an answering grin of my own as I enjoy them enjoying their performance. It portrays their passion for their music and their passion for their music is infectious. I laugh out loud as the two strike a pose.

I entered McBrides tonight still sore and tired from the Standing Penance Rock Party. My tender body was reluctant to stand and endure this gig to the end. And yet, by the end, my mind is no longer on my aches and, far more interesting in snapping good pictures, I’m moving to the music despite them.

By the time we leave, I feel light, at ease and happy.

A first-rate, four man alt. rock band with a warm, friendly, accessible smile, a boundless blend of old school charm and a great kind of chemistry that feeds off itself and grows, Look Hooz Left is a 90s throwback kid, and they are definitely worth the look.

BAND PICS!