the excentrics (live)

The worst show they ever played was at a Macy's Juniors section fashion show in Springfield VA. Since then, The Excentrics have climbed up the ladder of rock and roll success. They now play up and down the east coast, and recently won a regional competition here in Washington so they can compete in a national contest in New York.

March 7 caught them at The Bayou in Georgetown. For two straight hours, The Excentrics (Todd Wright: lead vocals, guitar; Matt Micelli: lead guitar; Dean Millard: bass, vocals; and Spyros Pagonis: drums) played great rock and roll. With heavy guitar riffs, strong drums and a solid vocal performance, they (and this is without sarcasm) restored my faith in rock and roll.

The audience loved them. I loved them. Their sound live is a wonderful blend of straight ahead rock and complete knowledge of their instruments. They sound new in the sense that they invigorate the listener without eventually boring them.

They are grounded in the basis: good melodies, solid beats, leading guitars, perfectly placed and emoted vocals, and the fact that they have a good time on stage.

There didn't seem to be any "empty space" in the songs, a full sound was crafted all night. According to Todd, the "words fall out with the melody," so the songs create themselves, and sometimes The Excentrics don't know where they're going. Sometime they even discover something new in their songs a while later, as if listening for the first time.

Self-described as influenced by early 70's lo-fi pop, and worshipful of Elvis Costello, The Excentrics add something more. Todd's voice reminds me of Edward Kowalczyk of Live, using it to its full extent with soft speaking and long, drawn-out howls. His voice is masculine but solid, and handles a full range of notes beautifully. It conveys strength and conviction.

The bass and drums (Dean and Spyros) work together fluidly, leading you into choruses you didn't see coming, but that you find yourself needing as you are drawn into the song. Matt is a Keith Richards in the making with his dangling cigarette and his impassioned playing, almost challenging anyone listening.

If you got the time, go see The Excentrics. You'll leave already planning when you can come hear them again.