There’s a good chance that by now you’ve caught “My Body”, the lead single off the debut album from Young The Giant. It’s now receiving radio airplay in Chicago and is found on the Irvine, CA band’s recently released self-titled debut on Roadrunner Records.
Playing their first headlining gig in Chicago after an opening slot last fall at Lincoln Hall and a supporting role for Kings Of Leon at the House Of Blues in January 2009 (when they were still known as The Jakes), Young The Giant held court in a jam-packed room at Schubas. Word is clearly out on these guys, as the “we’ll write your name down in case somebody doesn’t show up and then you can come in” list was several names in length at the door.
For a young band that has only been around for a handful of years, this group is honing their stage presence in a hurry. They delivered their catchy, melodic indie rock much to the delight of mostly emphatic early-20’s girls, plus some industry types like myself wanting to get a peek at them. Front man Sameer Gadhia is a rock star in the making, bellowing into two different microphones while flailing around a tambourine and rhythm shakers.
If you’ve yet to hear it, here’s the video for “My Body”:
Young the Giant – My Body
Young the Giant | Myspace Music Videos
And I shouldn’t fail to mention that the two opening acts impressed the hell out of me, as well. Chicago’s own Moxie Motive do a fine horn and violin-tinged take on the ‘loud-quiet-loud’ trail blazed by the Pixies, and were terrific. As well, Pomegranates from Cincinnati blew me away with instrumentation and moodiness that reminded me of both Interpol and The Chameleons, coupled with the melodies and energy of Franz Ferdinand, and vocals that are akin to Jónsi of Sigur Rós.
I couldn’t love Schubas more if I tried, but the lighting isn’t exactly a photographer’s dream, so I did what I could. Enjoy.
