Japandroids: Just Another Reason I'm Proud to be (Partially) Canadian

With all of this bizarre vampire hype going on these days (which I was fortunate enough to avoid), I finally found a type of blood that I was actually interested in. Hint: it is not sucked out of a neck. Any guesses? How about blood from some surfers who aren’t, in fact, surfers? How about now, anything?

Gigantic Ears readers: prepare yourself for the next big thing—Surfer Blood. This five-man band from West Palm Beach, Florida recorded their debut album Astro Coast in a dorm room freshman year at the University of Florida. They are just getting started in the music business and have no intention of stopping, nor should they.

I hadn’t heard of these guys until just a couple days before I saw them open for Japandroids on November 20^th. And, like most of the “indie-esque” concerts I attend, this was at the Billiken Club at Saint Louis University, a free, all-ages venue where your ears’ wildest dreams come true. At least that night they did.

A couple of people I had talked with prior to the show had described Surfer Blood as a younger version of Weezer. I was really looking forward to seeing them play; who doesn’t like a little Weezer from time to time? Going in, my expectations were high, and I was not disappointed. By the time their first song was over, I decided they were less vocally Weezer, more We Are Scientists. However, a tinge of Weezer seemed to always be lingering in the background of their songs, made evident with their guitar style (compare Surfer Blood’s “Harmonix” with Weezer’s “Freak Me Out”), and drumming, with strong downbeats while still maintaining a positive energy.

In addition, Surfer Blood seemed to strike a perfect balance of post-punk guitar riffs, catchy lyrics (see: “Swim” on their new album), and an upbeat rhythm. The majority of their songs seemed to compel my body and others around me to move in a wave-like motion—no connection with the name of the band. The crowd was mesmerized; this may or may not have been the beginning of the crowd’s unexpected raging during Japandroids. At the end of their set, during an instrumental interlude, the guitarist Thomas helped feed the hungry crowd even more, as if their music wasn’t enough. He grabbed a drum, set it in the audience, and then handed two front-row high schoolers some drumsticks and let them pound away. This spontaneity embodied not only remarkable crowd interaction, but also helped carry over appropriate vibes to Japandroids’ set.

Ahh yes, Japandroids. This duo from Vancouver consists of Brian on lead vocals and guitar, and David on backup vocals and drums. One, two, that’s all. But if you closed your eyes and listened, you would never have known that there were only two creating this epitome of garage band rock.

The boys wasted no time in starting up their first song; I made a face. Their music was harder than I normally am drawn to; I usually don’t delve much further than The Mars Volta. However, as their songs went on and I remembered not to judge a band by it’s first couple songs, (or in this case, it's “Darkness on the Edge of Gastown”), I realized I had fallen in love.

First off, they had so much passion! Having only two members in a band alone shows how much work must go into the music, especially when aiming for a larger sound (which they succeeded at). Secondly, their lyrics seem to be sincere. Their song “Young Hearts Spark Fire” states, “we used to dream, now we worry about dying.” Their vulnerability and fear of growing up is apparent, and may actually cause one to feel a pang or two of emotion. (Even you, emotionless Hipster boys!) Finally, this was just an all around amazing performance. Sweating through their shirts almost instantly after jumping onstage, this Canadian twosome hardly took a moment’s breath between each heavy-breathing song. This Billiken Club show was the first time Japandroids had played in America since touring in Europe, and I was loving every minute of it, as were they.

Earlier, in reviewing Surfer Blood, I mentioned the raging done at this show was unexpected. Not because I didn’t expect Japandroids to tear it up, but because I have never witnessed liveliness to this extent at the B-Club before. Whatever the cause, the crowd was feelin’ it. At one point, some kid attempted crowd surfing (there were barely 200 people there, emphasis on attempt), and later, during the song “Heart Sweats”, some dude jumped onstage and screamed along with Brian, “some hearts bleed, our hearts sweat!”

When the show was over, a lightheaded crowd slowly dispersed, and I had my chance to converse a bit with David, the drummer. After a joke about almost running my foot over with a cart and an awkward introduction, I told him about my Canadian roots, an obvious similarity between the two of us. We also were able to chat for short bit about the Maple Leafs, the Red Wings, and how he used to hate the city of Toronto, but has a newfound appreciation for it. Good choice David, good choice. Also, I like your accent.

To all of you who may have the chance to see Surfer Blood and/or Japandroids, go. Seriously, GO. You will not regret it.

Peace, Surfers & Canada,

Pigeon Toed