Head Automatica - Great Scott (Allston, MA; Jan. 10, 2009)

“We want head! We want head! We want head!”

After several hours of dancing to the aural musings of DJ Carbo, the surprisingly non-indie-hipster crowd (an anomaly for Great Scott shows) broke out into this mildly clever chant. Soon thereafter, life began to appear on stage. One by one, members of Head Automatica took their place: first, Jessie Nelson (keys/backup vocals), then, Craig Bonich (guitar), followed by Jarvis Morgan Holden (bass) and Sammy Siegler (drums). Each appearance worked the audience into more of a frenzy. When lead vocalist Daryl Palumbo finally stepped on to the now packed stage, the crowd couldn’t contain itself, with whoops, cheers and cries of delight echoing throughout the packed bar.

Energetic and charismatic, with flowing wavy locks and magnificent eyelashes, Palumbo is an ideal frontman. It wasn’t long before Palumbo leapt off the stage onto the monitor supports and into the crowd. He repeated this throughout Head Automatica’s set, as the audience surged to surround him and yelled into his mic. Behind Palumbo, Bonich and Holden moved around the tiny stage; though no match for Palumbo’s energy, they clearly enjoyed themselves and didn’t hold back. Sonically, Head Automatica proved much different live than in recorded form. While their albums provide bouncy, catchy polish, their live sound is much more raw, without sacrificing tightness. Together with their never ceasing energy, Head Automatica provided the excitable crowd with an extraordinary show. Having only seen live clips from much larger venues, we wondered how they would adapt to a small, dark club. They adapted admirably. If you have a chance to see them in a comparable environment, do it.

Radio 4 was scheduled to open for Head Automatica, but upon entering Great Scott, a printed notice blared “Radio 4 Cancelled.” Hence the two hours of DJ Carbo for the kids. Palumbo explained Radio 4’s absence midway through Head Automatica’s set: the two bands were traveling on the Jersey turnpike, when Head Automatica noticed that the Radio 4 van had flipped over, with the band members in distress. By the time they looped around to join their tourmates, a “giant SUV” had crushed the van, destroying all of Radio 4’s instruments. Thankfully no Radio 4 member was badly hurt in the accident, and we wish them the best on getting back on the road.

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