(Rust Pocket EP Launch, 4.1.2017, Tippy's Bistro BCD)
Well, that Ringo. Or Richard Starkey. Ringo Starr dual handedly canonized the open
high hat slam to rock and roll highway. “How potent is that?” we may ask. The
answer rings as any hard hitting drummer could hit, and it is a reverberating answer
until 2017. So potent, as rock is alive and well. And it still pumps fists in the air.
Like the first of April, 2017
when we all convened at Tippy’s Bistro under the same ringing sound coming from a
unit us grunge-y as their name might sound. Rust Pocket may evoke an industrial
vibe – or even a steampunk visual- but it is neither of that. The quartet of
Matt Montalbo (vocals), Cabomon Villagomez (guitar),
Aldwin Alcantara (drums) and Larry Polvoroza (bass) packs that grit, making one swear this is a band from the
post-Nirvana era. And literally they are – as the Rusts (or Pockets, whatever
you may) began writing the tracks to their recently released EP under Drowning
Sun Records during that era. And here we
are, for their album launch.
Before the band steps in, opening
acts lie up armed with originals. Matt, for tonight, is the ad hoc emcee.
Yantra begins with an improvised
set of originals – and bravely, even portions in the dialect – accompanied by
her iPad. Ambient and tongue-in-cheek
triphop elements evoke Portishead and even Bjork. Influences aside, it is Yantra in
her element which keeps one amazed if it is her lost in the music, the
music lost in her, or both.
Next comes Uling, a punk trio reminding
us how most of us get into bands in the first place – wide eyed, defiant, and
human. They sing about exes, currency and broken hearts – in less than 4
minutes. I would just have to chime in
that despite the raw urgency guitarist manages to throw in a bag of tricks a
fellow guitarist can smell miles away. Neat-O.
There’s something about femme
fronted heavy bands. Spending Pendulum and Scroll Down. Both can careen of love
lost without coming in as pretentious. Yet vulnerability is betrayed as the
rhythm sections of these units come in with riffs like bulldozers. Don’t be
fooled – Pendulum and Scroll pack the yin and yang elements clean – yielding a dynamic
sound that treads on both ends of the sound spectrum. More angry guitars in
here, added to generous doses of whacked hi-hats.
Closing the front acts was the
amazing duo of Hush Hush, a bare bones unit of drums and guitar – similar to the Jack White’s
template with The White Stripes. The influence is not lost in this one, as guitarist
frontman El Cid Elumba liberally quotes White's signature riffs midsong.
Then comes Matt’s transformation
from hesitant emcee to the towering front man.
Rust Pocket begin with “Hole”, an exercise in exorcism of relationships
lost. Rust may be part of the band’s name, but it surely is nowhere to be found
in this power quartet tonight. Rust
Pocket comes as a well- oiled rock juggernaut that may have been transported
from Seattle scene circa 1990s, the heydays of hard alternative rock. Aldwin on
drums lays down sick grooves on shifting time signatures, tightly in step with
Larry’s bass. Despite the overall aggressive sound, their songs remain true to power
grooves reminiscent of S.C.I.E.N.C.E –era Incubus, Tool –worthy rawness and
even at times, Deftones. Tight enough
for Cabomon’s solo guitar chores, who deliciously provides chime-y arpeggios
one moment and churning power fifths the next.
But on top of all that is Matt’s low register drawl with that
back-of-the-throat vibrato channeling Eddie Vedder. When one hear him declare that he knows in “I Know”,
one senses the urgency and defiance to the powers and systems that be. “Quicksand” and “Blind Mute” remains true anthems
to isolation and loneliness, while the closer “Brain Dead” is the last
heave. Now the crowd has gathered upfront, singing along to
the words “never remember the pain, so leave my head and be dead”.
And what opened with the steady
prodding of the open hi-hats is closed with a cymbal crash – driving all the
inner demons away. Well, thank you, Sir Ringo.
TianoBM2017
RUST POCKET's EP is released under Drowning Sun Records.
FB Links:
There are no links available for Yantra and Hush Hush
Frac/tions were not able to perform due to circumstances
