COLD WAR KIDS KEEP WARM IN NEW YORK

Words by: Martin Halo :: Images by Domenique DiCarlo

Cold War Kids :: 01.24.07 :: Mercury Lounge :: New York City, NY

Cold War Kids :: 01.24 :: NYC

A small chalk board leaning up against the front door announced the late set for the Cold War Kids was sold out. Hailing from Long Beach, CA, the urbane, 21st century blues ensemble has gotten huge national buzz and critical acclaim after the release of their debut, Robbers & Cowards, last October.

The band completed their three-week coast-to-coast tour in New York before heading to Europe for a series of dates in support of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. As the insulated steel front door of the Mercury Lounge swung open there was a rush of warm air mixed with exhaled tequila. The boys made their way into the Manhattan spotlight. They looked well-rested, which was a departure from the pictures from their autumn European tour.

Nathan Willett :: 01.24 :: NYC

With a cream colored Les Paul in hand, Nathan Willett (guitar/piano/vocals), supported by drummer Matt Aveiro, bassist Matt Maust, and guitarist Jonnie Russell, led his quartet through a showcase of tracks off their debut with casual confidence.

With the levels of sound adjusted to fit the acoustic dampness of the room and the crowd thoroughly warmed up, Russell moved to the piano for a “Saint John” that echoed off the brick walls in this intimate setting. “We Used to Vacation” followed with Willett on piano, which he remained at for most of the set, and Russell back on his thick-bodied Gibson 335.

The Kids tonal texture has matured in a way that leaves the compositions uncluttered. Aveiro keeps time on the snare while beating a maraca on a reverberating cymbal. Unlike the blues modernizers like The White Stripes and The Black Keys, Cold War Kids have focused on core musical nuances instead of bombastic spectacle.

As the thumping bass line of “Hang Me Out To Dry” surfaced the crowd’s excitement grew, creating an interesting dynamic between the band’s subtle stage poise and the fan’s jittery anticipation. The final two songs of the evening were “God Make Up Your Mind” and “Pregnant.” Just before midnight, the Cold War Kids said their goodbyes, casually walking off stage as quietly as they appeared.

JamBase | New York
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