[metaslider id=4360]
KRIS HARRIS
Staff Writer
Last Wednesday, swamp rock and outer space jams came together: Buxom and Aircraft were on the bill at BJ’s.
Blues rockers Buxom came onstage first and immediately put everyone into high spirits. Starting from a simple acoustic rock duo, the band is now a five-piece, featuring Maddy Curtis, senior double major in art history and graphic design, on lead vocals; Anthony Gucciardo, senior music industry major, on drums; Luke Wheeler, junior music industry major, on lead guitar; Bryan Williams, senior music industry major, on guitar and voice; and alumnus Joel Van Dick on bass.
The audience could easily tell that members of Buxom was thoroughly enjoying themselves during the set and giving their all. The chemistry between Curtis and Williams was pristine, as their vocal harmonies were always in sync with one another. Most of the melodies were crafted by ear, as both of them are self-taught musicians.
Wheeler started playing with his teeth midway through their performance, evoking a Jimi Hendrix feel, whom the band credits influence from along with Stevie Ray Vaughn.
As they went on, it seemed that the group gained more momentum, with a greater drive and intensity being brought to every new song. Members said that it has been a while since the band has come together, but that was not apparent at all, as they appeared completely in control of the bar.
When it seemed that all was said and done for Buxom, the crowd roared for “one more song,” which Buxom happily reciprocated after they got the okay from the event planner Pat Walker.
“We are going drop-D sexual” said Williams for the band’s last tune, dropping down the key and finishing their set with a bang. The band enjoys performing within the town immensely, not only downtown, but in house shows.
“House shows is what we built our band on,” said Curtis.
“You feel a lot more at home,” continued Wheeler.
Hopefully Buxom will appear more throughout the year after putting on an amazing show. Buffalo band Aircraft was next up, and the band did not disappoint.
In 2012, Justin John Smith started with playing with another band. He soon began to ask others to play along with him under the name Aircraft. This drew William Skelton on guitar, keys, and vocals; James Warren on bass guitar and vocals; and lastly Matt Cosmann — who joined in February — on drums.
“If you shake an encyclopedia of letters out of the sky down to the earth, they sort of arrange themselves perfectly to spell out our band,” said Smith.
The group had an amazing stage presence and took command of the crowd of with its wonky riffs and playful melodies. To add to their interstellar theme, each microphone stand was covered in bright LED lights and silver streamers, which was extreme eye candy.
The band played several tracks of its newest release “7 Gems from the Sparkling Void,” an EP full of songs that are a compilation of recorded songs over the past two years. Songs like “Space Euphoria” felt like a throwback to ‘70s psychedelia, but at the same time felt very modern. The set got the crowd moving and chanting along with the words.
A cover of Iggy Pop’s “Lust for Life” was thrown into the mix, and as soon as the track’s opening riff and line “here comes Johnny Yen again” was heard, show-goers in the bar were bouncing nonstop through the upbeat tune.
While picking up merchandise at the end of the show, sophomore music industry major Jonah Rosel said that “[Aircraft] was the tightest-sounding band I have heard in the area.”