I had been waiting for Mac DeMarco to arrive in Boston ever since picking up his Rock n Roll Nightclub EP last fall just after Pop Montreal. But there are some things you write about to try and provide insight, medicine and other things you just leave alone and keep for yourself. I had to just sit back and enjoy Mac’s set last Thursday, generic especially since I have a feeling that next time he’s in town, it won’t be in such a smaller setting.
Photo Credit: Gracie Barrie
I was intrigued, however, by the second opener for the show. A Connecticut-based band called The Guru. The band is on Seagreen Records, a homegrown label that also reps High Pop, a band that I’ve been crushing over lately. After listening to their latest release, Go Easy, from November, I got the sense that they weren’t in the same garage-rock vein as many of their Connecticut cohorts like Ovlov and the aforementioned High Pop, but instead gave off a funkier, almost jazz-influenced vibe. In general though, it appeared “different” enough to fit in on a Mac DeMarco bill, and seemed like something that could translate really well live.
I was surprised to find that their live show attacked from a much different angle. Their energy was more guitar-driven, and there was plenty of it. Their layered guitar sound was heightened by excited yelps of “oohs” and “heys,” giving their sound almost a surf-punk feel. Their sense of recklessness was worn more in their presence and style and not in the technicality of their playing. The operation was tight enough so that is bordered on a pop-punk feel, and definitely encompassed a garagey aspect, tempting my friend to say to me, “These guys are definitely from Connecticut.” As true as it may be, it’s a good thing, because Connecticut seems to know how to play their guitars as good as the rest these days, and for The Guru to play into that stereotype in some respect is a great compliment.
At the end of it, I preferred their live show to their album, and it seemed to connect with a good portion of the crowd as well. When direct opener Calvin Love asked the crowd their opinion on The Guru, it was met with a very healthy applause. And just as expected, Mac took the stage around midnight and madness ensued. It was classic.
Photo Credit: Cheylsea Federle