Recap: Bishop Allen and Miniature Tigers at Triple Rock Social Club
Throughout Bishop Allen’s set at the Triple Rock on Monday night, guitarist and vocalist Justin Rice was surprised at the fervency of his audience; at one point he mock-dramatically covered a set list with his hand when fans tried to peek. Later, he announced they were about to play “a real old one,” which was met with cheers, followed by a look of complete surprise on Rice’s face.
This Brooklyn-based band, with its catchy pop songs and winning stage presence, have seemed poised for indie stardom for a while now. They were recently featured in the film Nick And Norah’s Infinite Playlist (and on its soundtrack) and profiled in the New York Times, raising the quintet’s profile even higher.
Though the band is still a bunch of underdogs, Bishop Allen’s set was as professional and well-rehearsed as they come. The songs, primarily from the band’s new record Grrr…, were tight and unforced, full of energy and spontaneity. Band members’ individual performances—from guitarist Christian Rudder’s flurry of strumming on “Empire City” to drummer Michael Tapper’s melodica solo on “Butterfly Nets”—equaled the band’s songs in quality and precision.Glockenspiel and mallet player Darbie Nowatka sang a lovely lead vocal on “Butterfly Nets” and “True Or False,” giving the set a few moments of quiet intimacy. Generally, however, this was a show full of rock and pop prowess by a band whose stubbornly melodic songs want only to please you. Judging from this all-ages audience—singing along, clapping to the beat, and having the time of their lives on a school night—Bishop Allen succeeded.
Miniature Tigers, hailing from Phoenix and carrying some indie pop hooks of their own, played an opening set that perfectly introduced what was to follow.
