REVIEW: Next Wave Teen Bands Showcase
03/28 @ Scholastic Talent Inc, Colonie
“This wasn’t some cutesy program for parents to post about on Facebook. This was a bonafide stage, complete with flashing lights, projected backgrounds, and a genuine sound system.”
The streets around the venue were buzzing with energy Saturday evening, as cars circled, looking for parking spaces, before giving up and parking at neighboring businesses. Scholastic Talent Inc. was holding a teen bands showcase featuring Radio Wave, QBall, and Tuesday Collective, all up-and-coming bands from the Capital Region.
Scholastic Talent is a nonprofit organization focusing on providing kids with a space to nurture their interest in art, music, and sports. The year of programming all leads up to the spring talent showcase. The New Wave Teen Band Showcase was just a peek at what’s on the horizon for the upcoming showcase, the date of which will be announced on the Scholastic Talent website soon.
Everyone was greeted warmly at the door by the women taking tickets while parents milled about and mingled. But don’t be fooled, once you crossed the threshold into the performance space, it was the real deal. This wasn’t some cutesy program for parents to post about on Facebook. This was a bonafide stage, complete with flashing lights, projected backgrounds, and a genuine sound system.
Up first was Radio Wave. The vocals were shared between two band members. The first singer had classic rock vocals and was able to hold his own, playing guitar while throwing in a few headbangs when the music moved him.
While it’s almost a universal truth that covers of The Cranberries’ “Zombie” are doomed to fail — mostly because almost no one can hold a candle to the late Dolores O’Riordan — the second Radio Wave singer proved herself to be an outlier to this trend. She nailed O’Riordan’s signature style, often referred to as a more melodic form of yodeling, which is typically impossible to replicate.
The band got comfortable, dancing with each other and smiling, even suggesting that the crowd open up the pit. While the parents danced in their seats, the younger attendees leapt up, eager to support those on stage.
Next up was QBall, a three-piece band from Clifton Park. QBall was perhaps the cheekiest band, launching into covers of Fountain of Wayne’s “Stacy’s Mom” (the 2003 hit with the lyrics “Stacy’s mom has got it goin’ on, she’s all I want and I’ve wanted for so long…”) followed by “What’s My Age Again?” by blink-182. The lyrics “No one should take themselves so seriously / With many years ahead to fall in line, why would you wish that on me?” seem to echo the ethos of the band. They’re having fun and they’re good at what they do, so why would they cover boring songs when they could push the envelope with a smile?
For their last song, the guitar player and bassist switched their instruments. Was it planned? Or a spur of the moment decision? Regardless, after some friendly ribbing about the height difference of where they hold their instruments, they reaffirmed their skills by playing as adeptly as they played their original instruments.
Lastly, Tuesday Collective, a five-piece hailing from Colonie, were called up. They took to the stage with comfort and ease, making a point to address the crowd. From the second the singer opened his mouth, it was clear he was made for rock. It was impressive that a voice like that could come from a high schooler (so you can get gruff, seasoned rock vocals without years of abusing your voice!) but even more impressive that their original work blended in so well with the songs they covered.
They introduced an original — aptly called ‘New Material’ — garnering laughs from the audience. Though they take themselves seriously — as they should! — their sense of humor was not lost on the crowd.
The band switched off vocal responsibilities throughout their set, the second singer utilizing a brighter, more pop punk style that could remind one of a young Bert McCracken, and the third singer introduced a more mellow, beautifully head-nod worthy element to their performance. The different vocals showed not only how adaptable the band is, but also proved their range of abilities.
Throughout the night, it struck me that most of the performers were wearing merch of the groups that came before them: Pearl Jam, The Clash, My Chemical Romance, Stone Temple Pilots, Banshee… You could hear their influences within their work, but each band brought something new to the table. Turns out, “New Wave” is the perfect title for the showcase. This won’t be the last time the Capital Region hears their names.
Follow the bands @tuescollective, @qball_001, @radiowaveband_ and find more about Scholastic Talent at @scholastic_talent, and scholastictalent.com.
