Show Review
Chris Collins
The Afternoon Naps were downright exuberant on stage. It's clear they love the music and it's clear they love playing it.
It's winter in Cleveland and it's cold. Really cold. We've just about hit that point where the snow is no longer pleasantly picturesque but has instead become more of a brown sludgy mess. I have vague memories of what I imagine sunshine probably feels like and I'd be willing to bet that everyone in this city feels about the same right now. Well, almost everyone. It seems that someone forgot to inform the Afternoon Naps that this whole 'winter' thing is happening. This sunny mentality was front and center at their show on the 8th.
I arrived shortly before the show started, surprised to find that there was a healthy turnout at the Grog Shop in spite of the icy roads outside. The tone for the evening was set from the start by Shiny Penny who took the stage in short sleeve tees and tank tops. They proceeded to play a set of short songs full of clever lyrics and a solid twee pop sound. Featuring dual female vocals reminiscent of The Softies and a loose, lo-fi quality the band was a pleasure to listen to. Their songs bounded between playfulness and cynicism without missing a beat. After hearing their set I'm eagerly awaiting the release of their first cd, which the band informed me they're in the process of recording right now. They're definitely a native Cleveland band to keep an eye on.
Next up was Filmstrip, followed by Casual Encounters. Casual Encounters had a big sound for a four piece band. Their set was tight and energetic, acting as a great set up for the Afternoon Naps.
The Afternoon Naps were downright exuberant on stage. It's clear they love the music and it's clear they love playing it. Lead guitarist/vocalist Tom Dechristofaro and keyboardist/vocalist Leia Hohenfeld, who form the band's core, had phenomenal chemistry on stage and could often be caught laughing at each other between songs during the set. Of course, the up-beat Brian Wilson meets Brit-pop tone of the music made it difficult for anyone in the room not to enjoy themselves.
During a number of the band’s older songs including 'The Sun Ain't the Same' and 'I'm So Happy' Tom's jangly Telecaster and Mike Allen's bright bass were enough to make me forget I was at the Grog Shop on a snowy Friday night and let me fool myself into believing for a few minutes that I was actually sitting out on a beach with some good friends, some cold beers, and a beach ball. These older tunes also served to fire up the crowd, leading many of them to sing along, loudly echoing the Naps’ infectious lyrical hooks. The Afternoon Naps are definitely among that refreshing breed of band that can completely energize a room without their efforts seeming forced.
This was my first opportunity to hear the Afternoon Naps perform songs from their recently released cd, Parade. The Naps lovingly crafted Parade for release by their new label, Happy Happy Birthday to Me, and it has proven to be an impressive follow up to their debut cd, Sunbeamed. The band has always prided themselves on their ability to keep their songs simple, often joking at shows that the secret formula to the success of their songs is to always follow the pattern 'verse-chorus-verse-chorus-end.' The new songs continue this tradition and lend themselves to a live performance that doesn't disappoint. When the band played the up tempo track 'Beach Bum' drummer Craig Ramsey's snare hits seemed to demand dancing, a demand the crowd was more than happy to oblige. During a call and response section of the song 'Catholic School' the band looked like they were having such a good time I caught myself grinning uncontrollably.
With the new material the Afternoon Naps have managed to utilize the same formula they used on Sunbeamed and somehow still make it sound better. The new songs beg to be heard live and I have no doubt that they will quickly become the stuff of audience sing alongs. It was refreshing to watch the Naps, a band that has managed to maintain the same level of excitement they had back when they first got the band together and started booking shows. With performances like these the Naps are a band that I'll gladly see live anytime. My only gripe is that I wish the set had been longer. Of course it's hard not to want anything that can bring back the feel of summer in the middle of a Cleveland winter to last a little longer.
I arrived shortly before the show started, surprised to find that there was a healthy turnout at the Grog Shop in spite of the icy roads outside. The tone for the evening was set from the start by Shiny Penny who took the stage in short sleeve tees and tank tops. They proceeded to play a set of short songs full of clever lyrics and a solid twee pop sound. Featuring dual female vocals reminiscent of The Softies and a loose, lo-fi quality the band was a pleasure to listen to. Their songs bounded between playfulness and cynicism without missing a beat. After hearing their set I'm eagerly awaiting the release of their first cd, which the band informed me they're in the process of recording right now. They're definitely a native Cleveland band to keep an eye on.
Next up was Filmstrip, followed by Casual Encounters. Casual Encounters had a big sound for a four piece band. Their set was tight and energetic, acting as a great set up for the Afternoon Naps.
The Afternoon Naps were downright exuberant on stage. It's clear they love the music and it's clear they love playing it. Lead guitarist/vocalist Tom Dechristofaro and keyboardist/vocalist Leia Hohenfeld, who form the band's core, had phenomenal chemistry on stage and could often be caught laughing at each other between songs during the set. Of course, the up-beat Brian Wilson meets Brit-pop tone of the music made it difficult for anyone in the room not to enjoy themselves.
During a number of the band’s older songs including 'The Sun Ain't the Same' and 'I'm So Happy' Tom's jangly Telecaster and Mike Allen's bright bass were enough to make me forget I was at the Grog Shop on a snowy Friday night and let me fool myself into believing for a few minutes that I was actually sitting out on a beach with some good friends, some cold beers, and a beach ball. These older tunes also served to fire up the crowd, leading many of them to sing along, loudly echoing the Naps’ infectious lyrical hooks. The Afternoon Naps are definitely among that refreshing breed of band that can completely energize a room without their efforts seeming forced.
This was my first opportunity to hear the Afternoon Naps perform songs from their recently released cd, Parade. The Naps lovingly crafted Parade for release by their new label, Happy Happy Birthday to Me, and it has proven to be an impressive follow up to their debut cd, Sunbeamed. The band has always prided themselves on their ability to keep their songs simple, often joking at shows that the secret formula to the success of their songs is to always follow the pattern 'verse-chorus-verse-chorus-end.' The new songs continue this tradition and lend themselves to a live performance that doesn't disappoint. When the band played the up tempo track 'Beach Bum' drummer Craig Ramsey's snare hits seemed to demand dancing, a demand the crowd was more than happy to oblige. During a call and response section of the song 'Catholic School' the band looked like they were having such a good time I caught myself grinning uncontrollably.
With the new material the Afternoon Naps have managed to utilize the same formula they used on Sunbeamed and somehow still make it sound better. The new songs beg to be heard live and I have no doubt that they will quickly become the stuff of audience sing alongs. It was refreshing to watch the Naps, a band that has managed to maintain the same level of excitement they had back when they first got the band together and started booking shows. With performances like these the Naps are a band that I'll gladly see live anytime. My only gripe is that I wish the set had been longer. Of course it's hard not to want anything that can bring back the feel of summer in the middle of a Cleveland winter to last a little longer.
