DOROTHY & CANDY AMBULANCE HIT HARD AT THE LOW BEAT IN ALBANY

Walking into a free show on a Monday night in a small low-lit club, you never know what you are going to get. You could have one of the best nights of music that very few other people are being turned on to, or you could be let down and walk out thinking why did I waste my time to get ready to go out for a show on a Monday. Luckily at Albany’s The Low Beat, two hard hitting rock bands filled the tiny room with music that put such a smile on my face that I could watch every night of the week and be content with the choice.

Candy Ambulance, based out of Albany, started the evening off with lots of grunge filled tunes that had a slight injection of Courtney Barnett to them. Caitlin Barker’s vocals go from zero to 60 in mere seconds as she has so much energy coming out of her she can’t help but scream the words from time to time. Jesse Bolduc pounded the drums relentlessly and Jon Cantiello constantly moved around the floor as he added the low end to each song with perfection. The band is working on a new EP that should be out by the summer and just got back from South by Southwest, where they played a bunch of unofficial sets. They are also opening up for Speedy Ortiz next month and with the energy they have, more great slots should open up for them soon. Keep your eye on them.

Candy Ambulance

Dorothy is a no frills, straight up rock and roll machine. They have the looks, the attitude, and the music to back it up. The crowd broke out in head-banging joy from the second the music started, while the band did the same from the stage. Though everyone was head-banging to the music, they were also dancing along. It’s unusual to see the two happening at the same time, but it just felt right. Dorothy’s vocals are a constant powerhouse and the rest of the band behind her keep right up. Right now these guys are going to blow away the festival crowds this summer mid-day, but down the line they could be the ones on top of a bill with a field full of people watching them kick ass. When a week starts out like this, you know it’s going to be a good one.