Having recently released the single “Calm Punk” off their forthcoming sophomore album, Brooklyn fuzz-pop trio Dead Stars played some wonderfully blaring songs at The Gutter Spare Room last night. Forming a tight triangle on the small stage, the Jeff Moore-led band blasted simple yet powerful tracks that reminded one of the sheer thrill of loud guitars and relentless drums. Perhaps “anyone can play guitar,” as Radiohead once sung, but it’s special when it’s done with the kind of focused passion that these guys brought.
While working in a completely different genre, Brooklyn-via-Colombia avant-pop duo Salt Cathedral exuded a similar no-nonsense energy at The Living Room. As guitarist Nicolas Losada strummed with poise, singer Juliana Ronderos hand-motioned and pulsated with a rapper’s swagger. Round light fixtures flashing different colors behind them, the band played an entrancing set of fidgety effects and gentle guitars that had the audience in silent thrall. Although the group mostly played their undeniably engaging original material, they did a cover of “Say My Name” by Destiny’s Child which, with its propulsive electronics and long guitar lines, was simply great. – Zach Weg