So, first thing’s first: This was definitely NOT a Silversun Pickups show. It was a solo show by Brian Aubert, singer and guitarist for Silversun Pickups. He, CROONeR, and Che Arthur are touring together playing acoustic sets, and they recently appeared at Songbyrd Music House in DC.
Solo act CROONeR opened the evening. CROONeR is a project by Silversun Pickups drummer Christopher Guanlao and is definitely NOT Silversun Pickups. In fact, CROONeR actually predates SSPU. All kidding aside, CROONeR played music from his new album as well as songs that he put out before he joined Silversun Pickups. While Christopher is most well known as being the drummer for SSPU, his solo songs were really interesting. The sound fell somewhere close to Jad Fair. There were songs about heartache and Martian probing where the sun don’t shine. It was a fun 30-minute set that made me wonder what some of those songs would sound like if a full band, oh maybe like Silversun Pickups, recorded them. Some of the songs pre-dated Silversun Pickups, said Brian Aubert when he began his set.
After a short break, we were greeted by Che Arthur. In the spirit of the evening, this night Che was a solo acoustic artist and NOT the Silversun Pickups sound tech. When Che started his set, it got intense. His music had the feel of acoustic punk rock. It was loud, energetic, and fresh. Che’s set was 30 minutes that just flew by but definitely left an impression on me and the rest of the audience.
After another short break Brian Aubert took the stage. Again, we were all informed that we were NOT at a Silversun Pickups show. However, Brian said that shows like these were a lot of fun because he could play a lot of the deep cuts that fans ask for that they can’t fit into their set. He opened the set with the songs “New Wave” and “The Wreckage” from the upcoming SSPU album, Tenterhooks.
Watch the official music video for “The Wreckage” by Silversun Pickups on YouTube:
After the first two songs, Brian started going back into his catalog. “Future Foe Scenarios” from Silversun Pickup’s debut, Carnavas, was not only a surprise but also sounded great played acoustic. “Panic Switch” was up next. When Brian announced it, he asked the audience if we wanted to sing it instead of him. Well, he did sing it but once the song got to the bridge (“Waiting and fading and floating away”), Brian stopped and the crowd took over.
Brian mentioned how much he (and the band) loved playing DC. The town has always treated them well and they’ve enjoyed playing some of the more historic venues in the area. This was his first time at Songbyrd Music House, and he couldn’t praise it enough.
Brian told some great stories between songs. Apparently, when he mentioned this tour to a friend of his before heading out. His friend asked “Why?” and then told him no one would show up. So, Brian told the full house to go ahead and give that friend the finger.
As the show began to wrap up, Brian admitted that he had one super power. He said if there was a X-Man for stepping in dog poo, it would be him.
The set finished up with the Silversun Pickups classic “Lazy Eye.” The song is just as powerful when played solo and acoustic as it is with the full band behind it. What this show reveals was that Silversun Pickups songs are so well written that they are just as good on one acoustic guitar as they are with the full band. It also put the spotlight on Brian’s voice and how good a singer he is.
Silversun Pickups’ new album, Tenterhooks, will be released on Feb. 6. The band hits the road soon after. They’ll be playing at Nevermore Hall in Baltimore on May 4, and I highly recommend seeing them. And if you get another chance to see Brian, Christopher, and Che in an intimate setting like Songbyrd, don’t miss that, either!
Setlist
- New Wave
- The Wreckage
- It Doesn’t Matter Why
- Future Foe Scenarios
- Panic Switch
- Sticks And Stones
- Ragamuffin
- The Wild Kind
- …All The Go Inbetweens
- Long Gone
- Lazy Eye
