Images: Lemuria, Red Oblivion, Burning Agrestic, Dreamcatchers August 22, 2013 at Backstage Bar and Billiards

Last time Lemuria came through Vegas it was the same night as Bridge 9 labelmates New Found Glory. This time around, the competition was about 300 miles away, but comparably stiff, as many Las Vegans were already planning on catching Lemuria at their set with the weekend’s FYF Festival in Los Angeles. Unfortunately, this left Backstage Bar and Billiards undeservedly sparse with a crowd made up mostly of the bands playing that night and drunken, rapidly aging hair metal guys who wandered in by mistake from the neighboring venue’s Skid Row show.

I feel bad for everyone who passed on the show, as Lemuria absolutely killed it. It doesn’t matter if the trio is playing a punkier, uptempo number like “Pants” or a mellow, indie track like “Wardrobe,” Bassist Max Gregor is always thrashing about on stage like he’s blessed with a continual loop of Slayer’s “Reign in Blood” blaring in his head. Not that the other members are slouches; far from it. Guitarist/co-vocalist Sheena Ozzella’s sugary voice always sounds awesomely cheerful no matter the subject matter, and she contrasts perfectly with the cool, steady voice of drummer/co-vocalist Alex Kerns, especially on one of my favorite new songs of the year, show opener “Brilliant Dancer.”

An eclectic mix of Vegas locals opened the show, with lots of parents, spouses and siblings showing up as the largest section of support. The Title Fight-esq sounds of Dreamcatchers got things off to a good start and their mix of originals and Smiths cover “There is a Light That Never Goes Out” had the small crowd buzzing with positive chatter. Burning Agrestic were catchy as ever with their three part screams and melodic shreds. Brian Cantrell is a great frontman, self-deprecatingly joking with the crowd between taking swigs of beer and doing what’s essentially Conan O’Brien’s patented string dance minus the string. Red Oblivion brought out the biggest local crowd. The band is very classic rock influenced, which to be honest really isn’t my thing, but they played well and I wish them luck for their upcoming east coast relocation.

-Emily Matview | https://www.flickr.com/photos/holdfastnow/