"Twin Peaks" @ Music Hall of Williamsburg - Riley San Nicolas

5-2-15

Music Hall of Williamsburg presents: TWIN PEAKS

Late night. After a night full of wondering and pondering in the Williamsburg area of Brooklyn, I walk into the Music Hall. The floor is a big open space with a balcony above and the place is packed. The guitarist is tuning his axe and glancing coyly at the crowd. Wait for about another 15 minutes then they all come out together as a unit. The flag at the backdrop unfolds and the banner blows the stage wide open: Twin Peaks.

The dudes of Twin Peaks have come a long way since their start as a Chicago garage band playing house shows. Three of the members (guitarist Cadien, bassist Jack and drummer Connor) went to Evergreen for a year, 2012-2013, before dropping out once they got a record deal. In the Spring of last year they released their sophomore album, Wild Onion, to some critical acclaim. As the New Musical Express wrote in their review of the album, “Twin Peaks aren't interested in burning out, even if their lifestyle suggests they might. While they're here, they're just too good to miss.” After a 2014 American tour, a small European tour and some scattered festivals, including SXSW, they have embarked on another US trip and brings them to Brooklyn, where everyone is excited.

They open up with “Flavor” a searing, hyper party anthem that brings all the members shouting together during the chorus. Immediately, Twin Peaks’ energy is absolutely and totally infectious. I get the feeling that no more than half the crowd knew who they were getting into it, but they sure did after the first few songs. The drummer is barely staying in his seat rampaging like a wild boar as the guitarists are all in a fit jumping and shouting and head-banging in a whirl.  Men completely possessed by their craft and performance. But they are not just some whirlwind rocking party band. They slide into a slower tender psychedelic-leaning numbers such as “Irene” that grooves passively and puts the audience in a daze.

They end for about a minute, before the encore and cheers bring them back on stage for two more songs, when they send it off the right way: sweaty, dancing and completely free. As Clay sings in my personal favorite song "Making Breakfast"; "Nothing lasts forever/but don't let it get you down".