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In support of their third release, "This
Conversation is Ending, Starting Right Now," (Alias) "Knapsack"
took the stage in a jam packed Tramp's in NYC. Surprisingly,
they opened with the beautifully sweet, and melancholy, "Cold
Enough To Break," from the new album. They captured the
gaze of punks and skins and fans in general, as a hush fell over
the room - like the crowd said "This is a serious moment
guys."
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Swiftly changing the mood, the band immediately broke into "Courage,"
and set things off on the hard side. Now it seemed more like
a punk show. Following up with "Humming Birds," Blair
Shehan strummed along in typical shoegazer style, bursting with
hits of pain amidst the quieter, introspective moments of the
song. "Boxing Gloves" found Sergie Loobkoff
bouncing about a bit more, while Blair allowed the veins in his
neck to pop with strain as he soared and crashed with all the
grace of a tortured artist. It was clear that "Knapsack"
was there with something to say, and the fans were listening.
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Hitting and fading throughout the set, "Knapsack" came
off as masterful as ever, holding the crowd with gripping attention.
Yet, somehow the band seemed a bit preoccupied and distant, not
performing on the personal level I had expected. Perhaps due
to Blair's shy side, or perhaps not, there was a definite fish
bowl effect at Tramps that night. Taking the set through "Shape
of The Fear" and "Deconate," "Knapsack"
treated Tramps to tunes from their three releases, balancing
the set quite well. It's just too bad it wasn't a bit more personal. |
