Throw your fist in the air and be happy.
Such was the vibe at Saturday night’s show at Ace’s Basement featuring TigerBearWolf and Kudzu Wish – Guilford’s own alumni indie rock bands.
TigerBearWolf and Kudzu Wish, preceded by openers Skyline Awake and Fire Parade, put on performances that were not only fun and rowdy, but also impressive.
“Both bands showed their unique sound and how they’ve developed,” said senior Theodore Fetter, a longtime fan. “Both bands have worked really hard.”
And although a show featuring Guilford grads will no doubt be filled with the usual chatter, bear hugs, and general merriment, this night was all about the music.
“There was a lot of energy; people weren’t wasted,” said Fetter. “The atmosphere wasn’t a crazy party … People were there to see good music.”
TigerBearWolf, the younger of the two bands, put out their first self-titled album four months ago. They’ve been in the studio recently and are planning on releasing their sophomore album in September.
Senior Matt Shelton said of TigerBearWolf, “If the Allman Brothers and Hotwater Music had a child that grew up and kicked Geddy Lee (singer for Rush) in the balls, their combined wailings would sound like TBW.”
“The band is like a mixed drink of every rock music that has ever gotten you off the couch to stand up and shake your fist,” Fetter said.
Headliners Kudzu Wish released their first full-length album, “Reverse Hurricane,” last fall. The album, which most of the show’s songs came from, is “much more punk in its energy, more hardcore in its precision, and purely rock in foundation” (www.adequacy.net).
“If you’ve ever been listening to the radio, and the phone rings, and it sounded so good that you wished the phone ring was part of the sound, you should listen to Kudzu Wish,” Shelton said. “They always put the phone ring back into the song.”
It’s Kudzu Wish’s blend of hardcore and punk coupled with surprisingly softer breakdowns that makes their music so unique.
“Kudzu Wish has a very progressive sound,” said Fetter. “They’re charting new territory.”
Their shows are always high-energy, and lead singer Adam Thorn infuses humor into an otherwise earnest genre.
“[Thorn’s] crowd interactions are awesome,” junior Jared Knight said.
The show, however, wasn’t without a few kinks.
“I didn’t feel the dynamic I usually feel when I see them,” Shelton said. “I’m usually so astounded. I love their music so much.” He noted, however, that the band had just returned from a month-long tour.
But overwhelmingly spirits were high.
“It was an amazing show,” senior Emily Hulbert said. “Their music just makes me want to move.”
You’ve heard it. If you were lame enough to miss Saturday’s show, the bands are giving you another chance.
“People should listen to more rock and roll,” TigerBearWolf guitarist Noah Howard said. “One way they can do that is to go to the TBW show on March 20 at the Grape Vine at nineish.”
Kudzu Wish will play in Greensboro at 9 pm on March 9 at 551 Mendenhall. Visit their website (www.kudzuwish.com) for more information on this show, as well as their spring tour dates, including two shows with Against Me! in April.