Show review: Fang Island at Glasslands
Without the collective history of hair metal bands of the ’80s Fang Island probably wouldn’t exist. But yet. Imagine if every hair metal band was like Fang Island: a hugely optimistic outlook; no big, overshadowing asshole frontmen; no shitty makeup; still headbanging in unison and rocking out.
Wednesday night at Glasslands, Fang Island brought their best game. I was a little hesitant going into the small cramped space. With a mostly instumental band like this, so focused on the layers of guitars overlapping, (four dudes shredding at a time!) but it did work. Loud as hell, sort of coming across muddier than on record, but still able to tell everything that’s going on.
With a swell of feedback the band launched into “The Illinois” from last year’s debut, with a slew of hits following. There is something so perfect about five guys on stage playing original driving rock tunes and then all singing at once as a huge force. “The sun don’t set in the sky!” or “Oooh, that’s alright! Ooh, that’s OK!” just dont seem right written out without exclamation points. They told everyone to high five everyone, they shared beers with each other, they swung around phantom hair metal hair. It’s a big sound coming from a less than over-the-top band. (in a good way!)
The departures from the Fang Island LP tracks came in the form of a new song (just as heavy on the shred and just as driving as anything) and then the big suprise and payoff: a cover of Mariah Carey’s “Always Be My Baby.” the crowd sang along. Smiles all around.
This is what I want to come from every band. Not taking yourself to seriously, being sincere in your good vibes and a crowd of people all feeling the same thing and all smiling together while dudes just SHRED.
