Harmonic balance and bouncy pop electrified concertgoers Wednesday evening as Cambridge, Mass., band Drug Rug took the stage at DC9. The bar and music venue's narrow staircase leads to a second floor concert space - a dimly lit, red, L-shaped room that uses a raised platform as a stage area. This condensed layout, along with the small, involved crowd, created an intimate yet passionate performance.
Kashgar, a five-piece band from D.C., opened the show with a mix of modern indie and folk melodies and an upbeat acoustic sound. The young, all-male band, some donning baseball caps, some in suits, played buoyant pop songs and slower, delicate ballads to positive crowd reactions. Lead singer and guitarist Stuart Kottle's vocals were reminiscent of The Decemberists' front man Colin Meloy's - a bit on the nasal side but crystal clear - while a strings overlay, provided by violinist Nandi Chhabra, gave the songs a sophisticated twist.
It was apparent that the band is fresh to playing club shows. This performance was only their second. The crowd, consisting largely of friends of the band, showed their allegiance to Kashgar as they cheered and responded to band members' personal and plentiful stage anecdotes.
Following Kashgar's 45-minute set, people slowly trickled out of the second floor space, leaving nearly half the original crowd for Drug Rug's set. For those who left, it was their loss.
Drug Rug, fronted by the romantically linked Tommy Allen and Sarah Cronin, used every inch of their bodies and guitars to create an explosive, 1960s pop sound. Both Allen, whose lanky frame and shaggy hair bear resemblance to George Harrison, and Cronin, dressed casually in grey jeans and brown moccasins, played guitar, matching each other's skill perfectly. Cronin seemed to take the lead, playing easygoing guitar riffs while sliding exuberantly across the stage.
The couple's vocal harmonies wound tightly together, untwisting from the same root into complimentary divisions. Cronin's voice, which soared into upper octaves, intensified the song's melodies with a concentrated and piercing sound. On the flip side, Allen's voice added a balance to the harmonies, smoothing out the lower element of the vocals.
It was apparent to the attentive audience that this band was enjoying their opportunity to play. Cronin chose to dance throughout the set, while Allen occasionally turned his back to the audience, seeking the odd solitude that can only be found on stage. This relationship added a sweet and sour element to the band, which only endeared them further to the crowd.
Drug Rug, who previously toured with psychedelic rockers Dr. Dog, played for less than an hour, wasting little time in between songs with banter. They seemed appreciative of the small crowd who, in turn, appreciated them. Those who stayed for the entire show were treated to a first glimpse of a band that, with their solid vocals, fun beat and humble attitude, promise to be heard from in the future.
You can reach this writer at thescene@theeagleonline.com.
