Sync Or Swim

Tuesday was the first really cold day for November. This might explain the sparse crowd at the Lula Lounge for tonight's music. First up was Retrocity, an 8-member a capella band specializing in 80s songs. They started with Mr. Roboto and sang the gamut from The Cure (Close To Me) and Queen (I'm Going Slightly Mad) to Crowded House (Don't Dream It's Over). Some people loved the arrangements with complex parts while others enjoyed slow ones: hearing 8-part harmony live can be thrilling. They had some exciting news to share. 8 years after their debut album, they are finally recording a second one to be out early next year. Retrocity ended their set with some upbeat CanCon: a Parachute Club 2-parter (Love Is Fire, Rise Up).

The 2nd band for tonight was Synchronicity III, a Police cover band. Fronted by Dylan Bell (Retrocity) on voice/bass, Michael Occhipinti on guitar, and Ben Riley on drums. This was their first gig but they were tight and virtuosic. But it wasn't The Police Greatest Hits though: no Roxanne or Every Breath You Take. The most mainstream covers were Sending Out An SOS and Spirits In The Material World. Otherwise, it was lesser known tunes such as Tea In The Sahara and No Time This Time. Many songs let all 3 "noodle" around with jams or solos. It would be dated and obnoxious for current music, but all is forgiven for retro stuff. Given that Retrocity did a couple of Sting songs in their set, the night had to end with both bands joining forces on Synchronicity II. I'm not sure who did the better guitar solo: Suba Sankaran vocalizing or Occhipinti on an actual guitar. For all their fun with "niche" singing, I think everybody indulged their "play in a rock band" fantasy tonight.