Universal Buzz Concert Review : Interpol/CALLA at the Harro East Ballroom 7/19/2006

There are certain shows that you go where you expect a form of theatrics. There are certain shows where you will experience a great deal of crowd participation. And then there are the shows that are all about the music. The Interpol/CALLA Show on July 19th at the Harro East Ballroom in Rochester, NY was definitely the later of those three.

Kicking off the night was CALLA. The Texas via Brooklyn trio performed a thirty minute set that felt like one big medley. Featuring music from their last two releases (2005's Collisions and 2007's Strength In Numbers), the boys steamrolled their brand of distorted guitar indie rock over the sold out crowd. As the boys appeared all in black, motionless with nothing but strobe-lights flashing behind them, the music didn't let up for a second. Just as things would appear to slow down, CALLA would kick it right up again. As the final note was hit, CALLA thanked everyone for coming out and we all got a quick breather before our favorite New Yorkers hit the stage.

At around 9:15, the lights deemed and out walked Interpol. Appearing in the usual black suit attire, the boys picked up their instruments and went right into "Pioneers of the Falls", the first track off their latest release "Our Love to Admire". With the exception of the occasional "thank you" from lead singer Paul Banks, it was all business as usual. They stood still and presented the music in its most straight ahead fashion. No thrills, no antics (pardon the pun), just five guys (they have a touring keyboardist) playing their songs as tight as anyone else could play them.

The hour and fifteen minute set covered a equal balance of material from their three albums. And while their third album was just released, you could not tell when mixed in with their older material. And while the audience was into the new material, it was their classic tracks like "Obstacle 1" "Evil" and "Slow Hands" that got the crowd going. And as Interpol finished off their set with the live staple "Stella Was A Diver", the crowd new they had just seen one of the most buzzed about bands in the music industry at the top of their game. And when it come to seeing bands live, their may be more entertaining shows, but in terms of musicianship, they dont get much tighter then Manhattan's favorite sons, Interpol.