AUGUSTINES @ The Independent 2/10/2014

Photo by: Marc Fong

House lights dimmed at The Independent Monday night and the full yet not sold out house warmly welcomed headliners, Augustines with eager applause and scattered bursts of cheers.

Photo by: Marc Fong

 

Photo by: Marc Fong

Hitting the stage beaming, front man Billy McCarthy's infectious excitement was introduction enough for the night's first anthemic rock song, "Headlong into the Abyss". His subtlely earnest,  gritty vocals stood up to the song's grandiose drum breakdown  and heavy guitar.
 McCarthy's  genuine passion to be there was unmistakable as he visibly poured his heart into the performance, delivering strong vocals and an  effervescent stage presence.

Photo by: Marc Fong

 Somewhat surprisingly, Monday night's set list didn't focus heavily on new bluesy, croony  tunes off of their recently released self titled 2nd album. Augustines southern sort of  twang graced the stage with that same profound sound, but the majority of the set list consisted of tracks off of their first album.

The crowd warmed up even more after McCarthy explicitly rejoiced that it was indeed Augustines "fucking homecoming and we're proud of it!"  "Chapel Song" got  people clapping along to the unique mix of  a shoe-gazey melody with Augustines' signature bluesy roots. As McCarthy thrashed around the stage, he subsequently ripped off a finger nail! Ouch! But like a true rock and roller the show went on with the same excited gusto if not more so!

Photo by: Marc Fong

Photo by: Marc Fong

 

 

 

 

 

The crowd really came around when  "Cruel City" was queued.  The "F You" ballad to (living in) New York, found fans falling into place singing the song's "Ooohs" as well as the chorus of what's quiet possibly the catchiest track by Augustines.

 

Photo by: Marc Fong

 

 

 

After a band break up (Pela) , losing a brother and foregoing a band name change(We Are Augustines), Augustines have been through a lot in the past few years.

However, though their music is abundantly emotionally driven, Augustines wear their hearts on their sleeves, making their performing aura an uplifting one rather than a downer.

 

 

 

Besides the fact that the Santa Cruz born and raised front man kept taking time to interact with fans, sharing stories and confirming just how excited they were to be headlining a "homecoming show" his performance alone showcased all of the above, stealing the show.

 

In the midst of their self proclaimed extra long show  and plenty of on-stage swigs of Bullet Burbon, McCarthy and Sanderson saved an unplugged rendition of 2011's Rise Ye Sunken Ships "East Los Angeles" til close to the end.

 

Photo by: Marc Fong

 

Every show of their Walkabout Tour with My Goodness  is sure to be a heartfelt good time! 

They'll be rockin' through the month of May, so don't  miss Augustines when they head your way!

 

SET LIST:

1) Headlong into the Abyss

2) Chapel Song

3) Cruel City

4) Augustine

5) Juarez

6) Ballad

6) Philadelphia (The City of Brotherly Love)

7) Kid You're on Your Own

8)  Strange Days

9)  Walkabout

10) Nothing to Lose But Your Head

 

EN-CORE  #1:

1) Now You Are Free

2)  East Los Angeles

3) Hold on to Anything

4)BOJ

 

EN-CORE #2

1) New Drink for the Old Drunk

 

 

Check out the full photo album of the show at Marc Fong Photography.com.