Megan Reilly started the music-filled night at North Star Bar last Wednesday rather simply as the Memphis resident and her backing band showcased a series of songs from her latest release The Well. The set was a combination of singer/songwriter style material with up-tempo, twang-infused guitars and a complimentary rhythm section. The highlight of the set was “Old Man and the Bird” a duet performed with John Wesley Harding in which Reilly and Harding’s vocals captivated the audience.
Opening their set with the neo-retro-sounding “Lonely Lonely Night,” Juston Stens & The Get Real Gang took no time to fall into the accustomed groove. Demonstrating their knack for combining chunky guitar licks with naturally smooth vocal harmonies, Stens and company played at a relentless pace without breaking a sweat. As the song began casually amid a simple riff, a swaying bass line and crisp vocal harmonies added texture to the already multi-faceted song. A guitar solo appeared to sneak into the equation, and the group seemed to gel – clicking on all cylinders.
“When Fire Burns Out” demonstrated the polarity of the group’s sound. On one hand, dual guitar leads with a classical feel and unabashed percussion set the stage for a serious tone as did lyrics such as “Like a ghost without a soul.” However, while in the depths of its intensity, the groove took over and somehow lyrics that earlier seemed dark and heavy took on a new air which was light and energetic. Juston Stens & The Get Real Gang do share similarities to his previous venture as the drummer for Dr. Dog. Yet those similarities are basic ones: high-energy levels, a group of musicians who work together to form a powerful cohesive unit, and the ability to tap into elements of rock ‘n’ roll and reinvigorate them. Once this band gets up to speed, the ride that follows is a real joy.
Canadian indie rockers Zeus closed out the gig maintaining the bar, which had been set by Stens and the gang. The band brought a hard edge to pop-rock and as the musicians frequently switched hats throughout their performance impressively splitting duties on various instruments from guitar, to bass, to keyboards. Their set included earlier material like “I Know” and a rollicking cover of Genesis’ “That’s All” to songs off this spring’s release Bursting Visions such as “Stop the Train” and “Love in a Game.” Their musical aptitude and attention to detail made this evening a night of musical glory. (Photo by Mike LaVancher) – Michael Colavita