speed of dark

There are things I like about the Echo and things I don't like. I like that it is tiny, which allows a degree of intimacy with the performers that is not possible in bigger venues. My big peeve is the lighting, which is best described as primitive. If the band members don't stand in certain areas of the stage, they are in the dark. The air circulation is not up to the challenge when the place is full, as it was last Thursday for the French Kicks. And I've never heard any band sound good in there, although I'm willing to accept blame for that because we always stand at the front instead of in the magic spot at the center of the room.

In spite of my complaints, the French Kicks gave a worthy performance last Thursday night. Lead singer Nick Stumpf and songwriting partner/lead guitarist Josh Wise dressed their feet for the heat in flip-flops. I didn't expect the live sound to match the perfect blends on the studio albums, and it didn't. It was still a good show however, and I saw with my own eyes how Josh Wise gets that mandolin sound--he moves his pick hand at light speed back and forth over the strings, of course, but it's pretty amazing to this non-guitarist.


Nick Stumpf stays near the front of the stage


Josh Wise on lead guitar

The Kicks started off with an older song from 2004's Trial of the Century, "Following Waves," before heading into five songs in a row from this year's Swimming. The only other time they went back that far was for the delicious "One More Time," the song that first turned me on to the French Kicks in the first place. It was not surprising that the Kicks stayed with their most recent three albums; this is where they began crafting the signature sound that they feel they have perfected with Swimming.

I did not realize that Josh sang lead on "Carried Away" and "Atlanta." Both songs came off quite well live. "We're really proud of 'Atlanta,'" Nick told me after the show when I complimented them on the song.


Nick and Josh harmonize

Although the Kicks are like most bands in not providing much chat, Nick Stumpf does something I wish more bands would do: he introduces the band members to the audience. This simple gesture is gracious and generous and allows the audience to feel a personal connection with the band.


Nick's brother Lawrence Stumpf on bass


Aaron Thurston does the percussion


Setlist: (photo, right)

1. Following Waves
2. Abandon
3. Over the World
4. Carried Away
5. Love In the Ruins
6. Said So What
7. England Just Will Not Let You Recover
8. New Man
9. Atlanta
10. Trial of the Century
11. Sex Tourists
12. So Far We Are
13. One More Time

Encore:
14. Keep It Amazed
15. Go On

MySpace | Website | Label: Vagrant Records | Merch
Buy at Amazon.com, iTunes, and eMusic

Show Schedule:
The French Kicks are touring small venues in the U.S. through mid-June. See them now because they will start filling bigger places soon.