Fang Island at the Memorial Union Terrace
Seeing the relentlessly fun Fang Island perform is like seeing a third grader’s ideal rock band come to life. All three guitarists relentlessly fire off sugar-rush guitar solos, the vocal harmonies border on joyous shouting, and every song is likely to inspire wide smiles and jumping in place. Such was the case Saturday night as the Brooklyn group hit the Memorial Union Terrace in between some head-scratching dates opening for Stone Temple Pilots in Minneapolis on Friday and in Milwaukee on Monday.
Performing a set heavy on jams from its self-titled sophomore album, Fang Island ripped through high-voltage should-be Guitar Hero anthems like “Careful Crossers,” “Sideswiper,” “Welcome Wagon,” and album standout “Daisy” with abandon equal to caffeine-jacked toddlers being let loose in a Chuck E. Cheese.
It wasn’t entirely wanton riffage though. When introducing the slow-burning “Davey Crockett,” singer-guitarist Jason Bartell—who looked hot as hell under his star-patterned cloak—quipped, “This one goes out to all the wedding parties. We’re so sorry,” acknowledging the tuxedoed masses assembled on the Memorial Union’s balcony. The band closed its set with a ridiculously perfect, cover of Mariah Carey’s “Always Be My Baby,” which featured a crowd sing-along and a guitar matching Carey’s dog whistle vocals. Perfect father-daughter dance material and an appropriate high to end the evening on.
