POND BLOWS THE MHOW AWAY

I got to catch Pond’s two night run in NYC right on the heels of their new psyched-out album, The Weather. Familiar with the band’s earlier work, but never having seen the kind of live show they bring, I was certainly curious. Knowing the Tame Impala pedigree that comes with the members of this band, I was wondering if they would be going for a more subdued, fuzzed out show like Tame. But then I thought, “nah – they go pretty crazy on their records. I bet this gets wild.”

Kirin J. Callinan kicked things off by walking out in chaps and a cowboy hat while his backing band (two brothers) silently took the stage looking like bald vaudeville versions of the twins in the second Matrix film. One takes the keys, the other sits at the drums, neither break focus/character. One thing I value in music above all else is full commitment. Kirin & Co. certainly are that.

Kirin

The whole show wound up this unexpectedly smooth 80s crooner piece where Kirin only built momentum and charmed the entire room with his baritone and their full commitment. The brothers switch instruments, one picking up an accordion, and they invited their new bass player out – someone they had met recently in Toronto – and it just keeps working until Kirin has finished performing his last song with imaginary instruments (which also worked).

Kirin

Within 45 seconds of Pond getting started, I already think Nick Allbrook might be one of the the most engaging frontmen I’ve had the chance to see in a long time. By the end of the set I am positive. I can’t tell if he is goofing around or really needs to rock this hard whilst delivering their brand of arena-ready psych rock tracks.

I don’t care. Doubt he does.

Pond

P

From start to finish, the crowd was eating out of the palms of Pond and they did not waste this. Stage dives, audience grabs, a brilliant guest appearance from Kirin – all while Nick is gnashing his teeth, wrecking the guitar and losing his mind to the sound coming from this talented group of Australian total rock n rollers.