FUNERAL PARTY - SHOW REVIEW
The opening band.
Not the greatest spot to be in, despite the lack of a lengthy soundcheck, the opening band has to make the most of it, even more when the headlining band is in their hometown.
This night was different, this night the opening band should be on their own headlining tour.
With no fuzz, as soon as Funeral Party took the stage, the energy got moving. Tim Madrid gave out a beat impossible to ignore, while James Lawrence Torres strumed the guitar almost as if it was the last thing he would do in his young life. Chad Elliott’s voice sounded a bit healthier, not as raspy as in the record but still powerful. Kimo Kauhola held the bass with a smile on his face, he enjoyed the moment, he felt the energy of the music, the same energy that was moving the audience. Most of the audience did not know who this band was, yet they were moving, dancing, sharing the moment with the band. For a bit, those of us who follow the band got a bit lost, wanting to chant to the words of “Finale” and “New York City Moves To The Sound of LA”, later picking up what Elliott had added. Let’s keep in mind, these songs have been inside their pockets for a while now and they have to switch it up a bit just to have more fun out there. Tim Madrid was essential to set up the mood, giving away a sound almost Latin. Most of the time, you were lost in the music, feeling it more than anything else; your surroundings were obsolete and this Funeral Party was were you wanted to be.
If you have a chance to see these guys live, do so. If you have a chance to listen to these guys on record, do so. The energy, the movement they give away is pure. Five musicians who listen to each other and respond to each other’s sound, irresistible for the soul.
