Red Jumpsuit Apparatus

Club Hell -- Providence, RI

4/10/2008

Admittedly, when I requested to cover the Red Jumpsuit Apparatus show in Providence, I had never heard of them before.  I was excited to meet Ronnie Winter, the lead in the band, and interview him, and I was excited to see just what they could to do once they got on stage.  I had a feeling I wouldn’t be let down from the minute I stepped in line to wait for the doors, as the band’s Elias Reidy (guitar and backing vocals), stood outside, hanging out with fans: taking pictures, answering some questions (“I see myself as an average guy” –something Ronnie Winter echoes in the interview), signing whatever people had at the moment (shoes, for example), and playing snatches of George Michael on his guitar for us (Faith, anyone?).  These guys, I thought, are into their fans. 

Their opening band was called Amaru, also from Florida. They had a bunch of energy and really got the crowd hyped -- a somewhat rare feat for an opening act; I’ve seen many an opener who can’t get more than a couple heads bopping.  But Amaru had a great stage presence and fantastic harmonies.  By the time Red Jumpsuit Apparatus took the stage, the crowd was buzzing.  Definitely look these guys up. 

The Unplugged and Unaffected tour is the brainchild of lead Ronnie Winter and clear passion of the rest of the band.  I had listened to their album Don’t You Fake It, so when they started the show with an acoustic version of Damn Regret, I was surprised.  (I know, you would think ‘unplugged’ would make me think ‘acoustic’, but sometimes I’m not that smart...).  I was also impressed.  Damn Regret, and every other song following (of which there were about a dozen), was it’s own brilliantly, carefully redone acoustic version of the DYFI originals.  And in addition to the obvious acoustic guitars, they used tambourines, a drum set as bongos (a la Guster, perhaps), a xylophone (or a very close cousin to it), and, most importantly: a tiny venue.  Between the venue size and their close relationship with their fans, there was more than enough energy that the band fed off of immediately (the crowd sang along to just about every song).  They may not be the Rolling Stones, but they know their audience and know exactly how to show them a good time. 

The music is a more alternative-rock-pop feel, but the acoustic versions RJA played gave many of their songs a much different, almost exotic feel as the band used their instruments to their full advantage.  They switched from that alt-rock-pop image to a much more jazzy-blues feel.  They used instruments most bands in their genre would not resort to as easily after only putting out their debut album, but RJA has no need to play it safe.  Say what you will, they are talented, versatile performers.  To change an entire album in such a way that doesn’t just take out an electric guitar and a drum set and call it acoustic takes a lot of time and dedication, and it was clear the fans appreciated it. 

Aside from the line-up of favorites from their album, RJA had several surprises in store.  Ronnie sang a solo called Getting By that isn’t on their current album and Elias sang a beautiful version of the Beatles’ In My Life. And I’m allowed to say that, I’m very picky about my Beatles covers in the sense that, generally, if someone covers the Beatles, I want them to stop doing so immediately.  But also, something you probably haven’t seen at any concerts you’ve been to recently: a Question and Answer session.  That’s right.  The guys of RJA took about five to ten minutes and passed the microphone around the audience and let the crowd ask them whatever questions they wanted.  How’s that for being connected to their fans?  They even hung around after the show until the venue closed so that each and every fan that wanted to say hi and get a picture, could. 

So to you, the music-loving masses, I say this:  I was not a fan, nor had ever even heard of Red Jumpsuit Apparatus before the 10th of April.  By the 11th, I was a fan.  They have amazing versatility within their music, range and harmony within their voices, fantastic energy, and a love for their fans that would put other bands to shame.  These five boys from Florida are not to be missed.  Look up their tour dates and mark your calendars!