Last night I traveled to Austin to see Denton's own Backside Pick at Momo's on 6th Street. I was interested to see how a popular Denton band would do in Austin, and I wasn't disappointed. Usually accompanied by an exceptional horn section and backup singers, Backside Pick was playing light last night with just four members: lead singer/guitarist Rocky Ottley, keyboardist Nick Groesch, bassist Cooper Appelt, and drummer Mike Hodges.
"Drink more, we sound better," Rocky joked to the impressive amount of earlybirds who were crowded into the small tables set up along the front of the stage. The dance floor was to the left of the stage, making it a little awkward to get people moving. It's difficult to be a 9 o'clock band, having to dive in headfirst into what could be pretty chilly waters. But the bar and back patio was packed, and the energy of the music slowly warmed up the crowd until there were a few tentative dancers and more people had elbowed their way to the front. The crowd last night was an odd mix, but somehow the classy, well-dressed upper middle class couples meshed seamlessly with the younger, college-aged crowd.
Backside's biggest strength is weaving each individual player's flairs into the greater fabric of the group's ensemble. Not only do they put out enough raw power to sound like a group of seven or eight, but they each play their lines with such conviction and gusto that each member is exciting to watch. Backside was one of the first bands I saw when I moved to Denton four years ago, and I've enjoyed watching their evolution as a band.I've especially enjoyed watching Rocky, who's developed an increasingly charismatic stage presence. His voice is stronger every time I hear it, adding little bits of a playful twang as he reaches the melody. Last night's setlist consisted of some new arrangements of some of their older tunes like "Do My Thang" as well as two new songs "Skin Tight" and "Solid Ground".
As one onlooker commented: "Live bands aren't just for your listening pleasure, but for your viewing pleasure". Backside Pick has set such a high bar with their music that they have a very casual presence onstage. This is great because it makes the audience feel at home, and their easygoing attitudes make the band very approachable after the show. Backside plays with such style and pizazz so effortlessly that there's nothing left for them to improve but perhaps their stage performance as a whole: we're already dazzled by what they're playing, why not be dazzled visually as well?
Perhaps something simple, like a little more visual cohesion or signature, as a band or as individuals within the band. For instance, singer Wendy Colonna performed right after Backside Pick. Each member of her band was dressed professionally: the guitar player wore suspenders and a tie, the keyboardist wore a headband and had an unusual beard, and Wendy wore black leather boots with sky-high heels. Even though her song selection and band arrangement left a little something to be desired, each member's personal style added just a little bit more stimuli for the audience to enjoy.
Last night's show was preceded by a date in Lafayette, and the night before that they hit New Orleans. Backside Pick plays this Friday, January 29th at Hailey's with Oso Closo and Big Rock Candy Mountain. If you must miss them, catch them February 6th at Lola's with Congratulations and The Effinays.
