I'm not going to relate a Yabadum show to D.C. hardcore, right? It's not something that seems exactly fitting, comparing one of 2013's best new indie bands to Teen Idles, Minor Threat or Rites of Spring. But if you step back, and take a look through a grander scope, some similarities come by. Their recent show at Webster Hall Studios had more sharpie marks on hands there were adults. Frontman and bassist Laszlo Horvath was sporting a new haircut, and someone from the audience jokingly yelled "skinhead!", similar to how Ian MacKaye was harassed in the mid 80's. The way the setlist was constructed recalled Fugazi circa Red Medicine. Someone was wearing a Hüsker Dü shirt.
I don't know anything about allegiance to straight edge, or if any of the band members listen to Jawbox. But one thing is for certain, when you're a teenager, watching someone your age up on the stage, just playing some great music, you get that feeling that you're living through something special. Maybe Yabadum can be my Minor Threat.
In a relatively short set, opening for two other bands, Yabadum made themselves heard, and let the non-believers know what's up. A downtempo, nearly a cappella intro to "Cosmos" would have ben enough, until they launched into the album version of the song. It doesn't hurt that Yabadum now has a new drummer, Robby Jenkins, who is considerably stronger than their former, and the band now has a well rounded rhythm section, especially on songs such as "Winter" (Horvath has even taken the opportunity to solo on his bass more). "Little Rooms" once again showed off the impressive keyboard playing of Charlie Schine.
New songs were played as well. "Look Alive" takes the Yabadum formula, but then shoots it through something completely different. But then there was the aptly-titled "Head Trip Into the Utopia", a multi-part, Flaming Lips/Mercury Rev/Spiritualized-like multi movement, noisy masterpiece. A euphoric masterpiece, and no matter how noisy it got, it would suddenly be reigned in by a steady piano line from Schine. If guitarist Chris Rivera's use of pedals didn't showcase his experimental tendencies throughout the set, then his brilliant pocket piano solo did, a solo that would make both J. Spaceman and Sonic Boom proud.
When the set was finished, the audience actually cheered for an encore, but to no avail (a rather unfortunate turn of musical events followed Yabadum's set). But seeing a group of teenagers in a dark room cheer for something felt powerful. Here we all were, taking something in together. So yeah, Yabadum is my Minor Threat.
wow patty this is deep
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