REVAMP Riffs: Electric Guest At Rock & Roll Hotel (5/5/2012)

H STREET CORRIDOR -- Fresh off an appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman, where drummer Matthew “Cornbread” Compton (who may be the most talented member of the group) broke his kick drum, Electric Guest came to D.C.’s Rock & Roll Hotel on Saturday night.

Photo: Frank Wilson / REVAMP.com.
The band has been picked as “up and coming” by several music outlets and their just released first album, Mondo (April 24th), has garnered mixed reviews. “This Head I Hold” is the release’s first single and will surely become a party favorite, as it gets more spins (and word on the street is a soon-to-appear Apple commercial).

Photo: Frank Wilson / REVAMP.com.
Saturday’s sold out Cinco De Mayo show was an early performance for the band, on their first headlining tour. And a sweltering, intimate Rock & Roll Hotel was a good venue for the timid, Los Angeles-based four-member group. The women in the front row were within striking distance of lead singer Asa Taccone’s skinny jeans, but wisely refrained from any ejectionable offenses, instead coyly choosing to be-bop back and forth.

Photo: Frank Wilson / REVAMP.com.
Asa looked so young during Saturday’s show and it was humorous to see him wearing an “Over 21” wristband in the club he was performing for. The crowd of mostly women in their late twenties knew Electric Guest’s sound, but nevertheless seemed underwhelmed by the performance.

Photo: Frank Wilson / REVAMP.com.
Mondo is ripe with funky beats and effervescent bass which surely lured the audience, but such sounds were largely absent during the show. Produced by Danger Mouse, the album’s tunes, as heard through a pair of headphones, might be more appealing to some than the live sound itself (although it could have been a Rock & Roll Hotel acoustic issue).

Photo: Frank Wilson / REVAMP.com.
You can’t fault them for trying though and Electric Guest played a solid set. Yet, the idea of playing a sold out show seemed surreal to the young band. It appeared to catch them off-guard; like an attractive person saying “hi” to you at the bank or during a ham. The band performed like it was on a first date, but the crowd wanted a third date performance.

Photo: Frank Wilson / REVAMP.com.
As the tour progresses, it is hopeful that the experience allows them to grow into the role of a true headlining band. With luck, they won’t lose the Buddy Holly glasses, Hendrix guitar straps, and brotherly camaraderie in the process. The sound on the album can be infectious and Electric Guest is gradually channeling themselves in the right direction.

Photo: Frank Wilson / REVAMP.com.
If they play it, they will come.