The Static Age

Glass House - March 22, 2007

Live Review and Photograph by Alexis Roberts

I am frequently baffled when I go to shows of fantastic bands like The Static Age, and there aren’t more people there to see them. Granted, the show was in Pomona—which isn’t exactly the hippest town in California—and it was on a Thursday, but there really wasn’t an excuse for the lack of turnout. The Static Age, hailing from New York and Vermont-ish, are about midway through their tour in support of their latest release, Blank Screens. Although the album came out in September 2006, this is their first cross-country tour in support of it. Prior to this they have mostly been milling around the Northeast, except for when they take time out to do things like open for AFI, or play SXSW.

They opened with the title track off Blank Screens—an album that is inspired by multiple genres, and difficult to classify.  Unless you are into being branded, classification is unnecessary anyway. The Static Age’s keyboard and guitar effects could be misinterpreted as a throwback to the 1980s if they weren’t done with such taste and careful construction. Frontman Andrew Paley’s voice, which resonated so nicely in the Glass House, also sets The Static Age apart from the masses. There aren’t other voices like Paley’s; you really need to experience it for yourself in order to understand it. It’s a deep, polished and remarkably handsome singing voice that every dude wishes he had.

Their set was, to my dismay, fairly short because it was a smaller show, and it is a shame because things seemed to be going so well and the energy was wonderful – and then Paley’s guitar took on a mind of its own (as instruments often do) and just stopped working during one of the last songs. Good musicians always carry a spare, though, so they were able to pound out one more song, which happened to be a brand new one. They did not mention the name of it, but it seemed written in true Static Age sprit and was successfully executed by way of the new guitar.

The band plans to spend much of 2007 on tour, so although this time around Pomona didn’t really get the memo, hopefully (should they play there next time around) there will be more of a turnout. This is the type of band that clearly loves performing, whether in front of 50 or 5,000 people.  They have a way of charming their way into their audiences hearts even those who are unfamiliar with their music. Plus, they aren’t bad to look at—and who doesn’t like to watch a bunch of attractive people playing good music?