The New Regime, The Bots and Dead Sara played to a packed house at the historic Maxwell’s Tavern in Hoboken, New Jersey Tuesday night. Ilan Rubin’s solo project, The New Regime opened the night with a diverse set of alternative and electronic rock.
Rubin, who is best known for playing with Nine Inch Nails, Angels & Airwaves and briefly Paramore, crafted his newest LP, Exhibit B, around themes of overcoming adversity, abandonment, war and dreams. All of these themes are evident in the way Rubin played each song. He was slow and methodical with softer tracks and once he lured you in, he changed speed like a man possessed.
The New Regime
The New Regime
The New Regime
The New Regime
The New Regime
The New Regime
To close the set, The New Regime played “Tap Dancing in a Minefield.” Rubin became completely consumed with the song and mesmerized the crowd with a five-minute guitar riff. Rubin is joined on tour by his brother Daniel Rubin (bassist) and Hayden Scott (drums).
The New Regime
The New Regime
The New Regime
The New Regime
The New Regime
The brother-duo, The Bots, kept the momentum going after The New Regime. Mikaiah Lei (guitarist, vocalist) and Anaiah Lei (drums) combine garage rock with hints of electronic and blues. The band has talent beyond their years, with each sound and lyric perfectly constructed to create jams like “Blinded.” More importantly, they genuinely enjoy performing and often encourage the crowd to have as much fun dancing as they are having playing. If nothing else, The Bots are just cool and they were the perfect segue into Dead Sara.
The Bots
The Bots
The Bots
The Bots
The Bots
Driven by their soul-crushing intensity and make-no-excuses attitude, the alt-rock outfit Dead Sara delivered a performance that never disappoints. The four-piece band from Los Angeles launched their much-awaited EP, “Pleasure to Meet You” in March and has since been on the tour circuit conquering those cities that are worthy.
Dead Sara
Dead Sara
Dead Sara
Dead Sara
Dead Sara
Lead singer, Emily Armstrong, seduced the crowd with the gentler melody of “Whispers and Ashes” and then rolled right into the heart pounding and drum heavy ”Test on my Patience” and “Monumental Holiday.” As notable as Armstrong’s vocal variety was lead guitarist, Siouxsie Medley’s guitar range. Medley made it look easy as she shuffled through complex arrangements and rock ballads. Equally as talented, was the rhythm section of Sean Friday (drums) and Chris Null (bassist). Both men add to the intoxicating energy and at times Friday plays like he is trying to bring the house down.
Dead Sara
Dead Sara
Dead Sara
Dead Sara
Dead Sara
Dead Sara played with a loaded-gun passion that made you believe they were on their farewell tour. They set the bar for live performances and unfortunately it is a bar that not many rock bands will reach.
Article: Alx Bear
