I Just Read About That…

[ATTENDED: October 6, 2017] Nap Eyes

Sarah and I were excited to see Alvvays again.  We saw them open for The Decemberists and it is always great to see a band as a headliner–especially when you can get up nice and close.

We hadn’t heard of Nap Eyes but we wanted to make sure we arrived early to get a good spot.  And I’m so glad we did.  Nap Eyes is a four piece from Halifax, Nova Scotia consisting of vocalist Nigel Chapman, guitarist Brad Loughead, bassist Josh Salter and drummer Seamus Dalton.

Between the tone of the band and Chapman’s vocal delivery, there was a distinct Velvet Underground vibe.   But II joked it was like they had given up the heroin.  Because the songs had a faster tempo, a number of time changes, and some rocking guitar solos.

Lyrically, Chapman is from the Morrissey school of dark but wryly amusing narratives and observations.

Like this from Stargazer:

I have seen people go by me with such
Determination that it’s sick
I’d like to go the places they don’t know how to get to
But I can’t remember the trick
So I wait around and venomously crown myself
Serpent king of my sins
But if I go down I’m not taking you with me
It’s only myself in the end

I also loved that in this song Chapman and Loughead played the same guitar line for several verses but then the lead guitarist took off from here.

Every song had the same basic tone of mildly vibratoed guitar and Chapman’s undeniable voice.  But each song had its own distinctive component–a scorching guitar solo–or a really catchy chorus mid song, or maybe some rocking drums.

I’m inclined to say that Loughead made a lot of difference to the overall sound of each song.  His tone was distinct from the rest of the band.  So that when he played something unexpected or even just a very pretty, clean solo it would have a pretty big impact on the songs.  Which is not to detract from the quality of the songs themselves.

I don’t know all the song titles, but I know they played:

Mixer
Stargazer
Tribal Thoughts
Click Clack