Middle Distance Runner @ DC9
Source: morecowbell.net
Everyone knows that the best cure for a hangover is another night of liberal imbibing of alcohol. This clearly was the logic behind last night’s DAM! Festival hangover party at DC9. After all, after an intense weekend of shows, why not have just one more?
Middle Distance Runner had the great fortune of being added to the bill just a few days ago, and I’m glad they did, because these guys need all the exposure they can get. I’ve been listening to their debut record Plane in Flames quite often over the past week or so, and I must say, damn…these guys can bring the rawk. They do a great job of blending some really familiar sounds into a unique blend. Plane in Flames opens with the single-esque “Naturally,” of which the chorus is so damn catchy it hasn’t left my head since the song first hit my ears. I’m pretty sure the melody is going to stay there for awhile too. I woke up this morning with the very Secret Machines-esque “That’s A Lie” rawking itself out my head. It’s a fantastic closer to the album, which I heartily recommend you check out over at CD Baby.
I managed to catch MDR last night at DC9 and these guys are a blast live. Fortunately, their last-minute-add to the bill allowed for only a very small group of people at the show (like 30 by the end). This only made these guys play harder and involve the crowd more. By the 3rd song they were jumping off the stage into the “crowd” (or small group of people standing near the stage). “That’s A Lie” had Steve, Ian, Allan and Jay dancing with some of the audience and rawking out in front of the stage for the entirety of the song.
Unfortunately, MDR don’t have many tour dates scheduled right now, but keep your eye on these guys. You bring the noise, they’ll bring the funk (well, rock actually, but you get my drift). Tour dates at the bottom.
Jay, Steve and Allan bringing the rawk into the crowd
Also, I would be remiss if I did not mention Hot IQs. Hailing from Denver, they’ve done a great job of blending smart pop elements with just a hint of fuzzy guitar and intelligent lyricism.
MDR Dates
12/10/06 - Live on DC101
12/16/06 - Black Cat with iForward Russia! & Snowden
