A few rising local bands, thirty or so kids, and Oklahoma City’s Tiger Lily found their way into a small, quiet backyard tucked inside downtown Las Vegas for a midweek punk rock show that was well worth a crisp five dollar bill. Contrary to popular belief, house shows still happen. And they’re awesome.
Calmosa, the new local pop-punk band loaded with baby faces and melodic jams, began the night impressively by showcasing songs from their Seasons EP, which is currently streaming on this very site. They had undeniable stage presence and confidence backed up by talent, and they’re yet another band to keep an eye on in the coming months as they build a following and benefit from further experience. Guts, the young local band on the come up, was up next as the crowd started to swell. Each member of the band has been around the scene in different capacities for a while now, and it shows. Featuring songs form their EP Hesitation, their set was bursting with energy and there wasn’t a note out of place. A great cover of I Am The Avalanche’s “I Took A Beating” never hurts, either. Their throwback style and honest message paired with their big aspirations for the coming year make them an exciting band to watch.
Tiger Lily was definitely the highlight of the night for me. It was my first time checking them out and they have a raw intensity that was really cool. They complimented the crowd for not leaving the show after their friends’ bands had finished playing, and while staying the duration of the show seems like common sense, towns and their scenes tend to become real clique-y, so to see a band show appreciation for staying the long haul was pretty awesome. The nightcap was local band Narrowed, who have been hitting stages steadily since the release of their debut EP The Valley. Stop me if I’m becoming a broken record, but this band has gotten better each time I’ve seen them. They are musically polished beyond their years and all the new stuff sounds like it’s going to be awesome. Whether it’s because of that musicianship or the young vitality Narrowed brings to the table, there is no doubt that the buzz they’ve generated around town is warranted, and I look forward to their next release.
This show was a great display both of a DIY attitude and that the standard for being a band in Las Vegas is slowly but surely rising. And thankfully, there are still people willing to open their backyards to any and all who would like to watch some up-and-coming bands do their thing.
– Felipe Garcia
Photos by Emily Matview | https://www.flickr.com/photos/holdfastnow/
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