REVIEW: Laveda, Sir Echo, and Stella and the Reptilians at No Fun
04/08 @ No Fun, Troy
Photos by Tom Miller
“They launched right into some tight and precise tunes that had a manic high energy, while remaining rich with elements of soulful ambience. Always staying ready to hit you with a catchy indie rock jam.”
There are just some places in the 518 music scene that turn out on a weeknight and No Fun is definitely one of them. On a chilly-but-not-too-cold early spring night, the crowd was already eagerly filling the River Street staple; awaiting a night of hard indie rock mayhem well before sound check had finished.
Everyone there was flush with an energy that made you feel that they knew exactly what lay ahead of them with this excellent trio of artists, and were absolutely up for the task. It was a fitting vibe to welcome Laveda home for a mid-week banger with support from Sir Echo and Stella and the Reptilians.
Stella and the Reptilians kicked things off with a bang, their powerful yet dreamy presence baked into the foundations of their music. Though that dreaminess doesn’t mean their songs lack punch. They hit with just the right attitude and energy whenever the music calls for it. They were the perfect choice to set the stage for a great night with infectious energy throughout their set. At one point, one of the members gave themselves a slight tear in their jeans and prompted some entertaining banter when the obligatory “Spongebob” reference was made; the crowd and the band then busted into a brief singalong of “The Fool Who Ripped His Pants.” Just one example of the mood in the room as the show rolled along.
Next up were some knights from the Hudson Valley’s court of hard rock royalty, Sir Echo. They hit the stage like a concussive force — raw, punchy energy powered by hard-hitting drums and some truly inspired stage presence, bobbing and weaving around the stage to the beat. That presence was especially characterized by powerful lead vocals delivered with authority and accompanied by true, hair-on-your-chest hard rock percussion and riff/bass combos that hit like artillery. Their set featured mostly newly released songs, including the rowdy closer “Vulture Man,” which featured a descent into the crowd and a poignant rally cry at the current state of American politics.
With that explosion of the rock and roll spirit taking hold, Laveda emerged as the triumphant vibes were reaching their climax. “We are Laveda,” frontwoman Ali Genevich greeted the hometown crowd, continuing: “We’re from… here.” They launched right into some tight and precise tunes that had a manic high energy, while remaining rich with elements of soulful ambience. Always staying ready to hit you with a catchy indie rock jam.
This set was a triumphant demonstration of how well rounded Laveda is, shifting from upbeat indie rock into high-intensity soundscapes like it’s nothing. The band is completely in sync with not a measure out of place, and Genevich can move seamlessly between spoken or shouted words as well as clean, pure vocals with equal prowess. The band is a dynamo writing their own rule book for indie rock, and they celebrated in their home region with a couple of new songs to the delight of the fans who stuck around until the very end.
It’s that kind of audience-to-artist connection that sets local shows at local venues like No Fun apart. The relationship between a crowd and a band that left to take another step in their journey, the catharsis of that reunion, always has the recipe for something special. On an early spring night in 518 music, you’d better keep your ear out for opportunities like this so you can come and throw down as part of the next one.
