Fang Island, Adebisi Shank, Spacebeach Dada Thursday, August 16
It was West Nile aerial spraying night, so my wife warned me not to go out, but I was rewarded with one of the best shows of the year. As planes buzzed above, the band joked about the situation. "I guess we arrived just in time," said singer/guitarist Jason Bartell, before Fang Island launching into "Sideswiper," from their 2010 self-titled debut.
But for the majority of the evening, the band concentrated on material from Major, their recent sophomore effort, updating dinosaur rock in a way that is punk in concept, but detailed in execution.
Before Fang Island took the stage, the mosquito-protected masses were treated to not one, but two fine opening acts. Dallas' own Spacebeach put on a fine display of multi-textured metal/noise, and Ireland's Adebisi Shank got the crowd involved in some industrial strength torture that would do Dillinger Escape Plan proud. The planes are still buzzing above my house as I write this.
Personal bias: I am one of those people who say Big Star was the best band the masses never knew, but Fang Island could and should be playing to a larger audience.
