Scream Therapy

Friday night, a couple of local bands played at the Silver Dollar. First up was Hands & Teeth. It was an early slot but there was a good turn-out. I haven't seen them in a while and there were some changes. Jeffrey Pinto was missing from the line-up and the songs had a harder edge with more prominence given to guitar riffs and solos. They played entirely new songs tonight and though the vocal harmonies were still there, the new tunes were more muscular and jammy. Perhaps as a nod to Spring finally arriving, Natasha wore a light, colourful asymmetric maxi-dress.

Next up was Nicholas Doubleyou and the B-Squad. Their young fans crowded the stage to listen to their brand of earnest, shout-sing indie music. As always, the singer threw himself into every song. But having heard them a few times now, I'm no longer so keen of their one-note style. Compared to the book-end bands, their repertoire were definitely lo-fi.

Henry Fletcher of Henri Faberge And The Adorables also did a lot of shout-singing, though he reserved it for emphasis. But the variety in their music from latin-inflected groove, to oompa-loompa folk, to 50s pop made it very enjoyable. With a better mix than at The Garrison, the sweet harmonies of Julianne Wilding, Dana Snell and Robin Hatch (both grinning throughout the set from Fletcher's antics) were wonderful. But don't let the twee-esque vibe fool you. With ample participation from Fletcher, the area in front of the stage turned into a mosh pit for the last few numbers.