Bars of Gold at PJ’s Lager House
I don’t know Bars of Gold, but I can’t help but feel like I do and why they’ve decided to become musicians is also riddled with unanswered questions, but they settle in my stomach, my feet, my chest, my arms. I think about them often, like old friends whose short-lived visits create the memories that last lifetimes. They leave me in awe. There is an excitement in the air when I know I can make it to a show. Hell! In honor of Black History Month I played Bear Vs. Shark and Wildcatting for my kids with the reasoning that this is a Michigan band upholding the spirit of Chuck Berry, Little Richard and all before them. None of them really gave a shit, but one of my older members said, “I like this. I can feel it.” That statement alone means more than most can understand and it will live with me the rest of my life.
Bars of Gold are hardworking people- they have to be, because creating such a dynamic between the audience and their music isn’t easy, if it was easy, most other bands would’ve accomplished the connection- they haven’t. There is an unrelenting core in Bars of Gold and its surreal to watch them perform; photographs and YouTube videos will never be able to capture what it’s like to be in the audience. I’ve seen them twice before- once as Bars of Gold and once as the Talking Heads and this review marks the third. And when Bars of Gold brought elements of Mandolin, Banjo and vocal manipulation I knew this would be a band I could follow for the rest of my life. I hope Bars of Gold are successful enough to create the music they want for the rest of their lives and are able to live off of it too. Maybe I am being selfish because in all honesty I don’t want to wait to be disappointed by a new Mars Volta album every year or continue paying money for CD’s that don’t live up to their expectations.
It’s hard for me not to break down with tears in my eyes and thank Bars of Gold repeatedly for motivating me to just “be”. All of my hostility, frustration and sadness is left behind after an evening of Bars of Gold. Sadly people reading this may believe I’m dramatic or exaggerating, but they are horribly mistaken. Music is what I find hope in; it’s what I use to make it through my day, just like others who find God at their bed sides or hope in their Presidents. Everybody needs something to believe in.
And like I’ve mentioned, I don’t know why Bars of Gold decided to become musicians, but with their decision they’ve managed to get a 325 lb. dude to dance with fever and spirit. And when I left the show this time I mentioned to my girlfriend that I needed to lose weight- not for her of course, but so that I can dance without fear of having a heart attack – we both laughed.
As a side note I wanted to mention that in 2009 I listened to over 140 CD’s and that maybe one-third of them were worth listening to again. Out of those listenable CD’s maybe only a dozen or so I would take with me for the rest of my life. It’s a problem for me because it’s really hard to say someone else’s form of expression isn’t good- it bothers me to do so; just like it bothers me when others dismiss Bars of Gold just because their singers is too abrasive or that the the songs don’t have a proper chorus. My eyeball usually twitches and I remind myself to just let it go. It’s as if people can’t appreciate the energy and emotion behind music anymore. Months ago I talked to another local band’s singer that I really enjoy watching and he seemed almost jealous of Bars of Gold, dismissing them by saying the drummer was going to leave the band and the singer is too monotone. If anyone can enlighten me on the validity of such things, please do, but in all honesty I don’t believe this people have a fucking clue. And it doesn’t really matter in the grand scheme of things. You can Catch Bars of Gold at the Hamtramck Blow Out at Smalls in Hamtramck at 10:40 p.m. (never trust the start time) on Friday March 5th. After this post there will be another about Loco Gnosis and their showcases for the event. I’ve never been and so that instantly makes me an asshsole or some dude without a clue.
Tags: Bars of Gold, Hamtramck Blowout, Loco Gnosis, PJ's Lager House
