Preview: ACRN Presents: Rockwell Family Dinner, Sunshine Bandits / December 4 / The Skull
By Xavier Veccia, Managing Editor
The Smiling Skull Saloon / Thursday, December 4, 2014
Two things are clear when one walks into The Skull on an average night: 1) hipsters and bikers make a pretty good fit and 2) the bar’s patrons won’t let anything get in the way of them and a loud, rocking show. Well, this Thursday, that desire for rock ‘n’ roll will be put to the test as those loyal students will have to choose between boning up on their classes before finals and one last Skull show before breaking. Knowing Skullians, I’m guessing they’ll choose the latter.
And how could they not with a stellar lineup put together by ACRN that is sure to make anyone forget their woes.
One such band, Rockwell Family Dinner, provides an interesting narrative for the night. RFD was founded by cousins and bandmates Sam Regas and Matt McDonald of the psychedelia-influenced The Big Sweet. However, after more than five years together, Big Sweet broke up, allowing Regas and McDonald to form a new band of their own, along with Michael Robenalt on the drums.
“It felt like it really clicked from the get-go,” said Regas ,the vocalist and guitarist of Rockwell. “The rest is history.”
“History” is a lot for Rockwell. For starters, it’s a sonic shift. The Big Sweet was more complex, focusing on harmonies and multi-instrumentation and taking influence from such visionaries as Big Star and Pavement. Rockwell, though, is more direct, with in-your-face guitar and lyrics leading the way.
“I feel like our song has regressed more than progressed,” Regas joked. “Musically, I became a little disenchanted with being consciously ‘arty’ and just wanted to rock the fuck out. The quirkiness and idiosyncrasies are there, but we embrace more of a party-band status. or at least a twisted party band.”
Of course, getting the band together was just the beginning. Being a twisted party band, Rockwell has interesting ambitions to say the least for the coming months and new year.
“We plan on recording a handful of more songs over winter break and get an EP out early next year,” said Regas. But that’s not all for the trio. “Jokes and the occasional ridiculous costume are a big part of our shows. We're not above that. So for the 2015 year, I'd just love to expand our repertoire--in terms of comedy and wardrobe. You know, the important stuff.”
Rockwell Family Dinner is bringing the jokes and jams--along with “a trick or two”--to the Skull tonight alongside The Sunshine Bandits, Max Look and The Dangerous Dreidels and Perm Club. Coover is $3 and the show starts at 10.
