Friends and Romans
The Watershed
CD Release Show
“The Becoming”
Friends and Romans
The Watershed
CD Release Show
“Friend or Roman”
Concert Review
This is the first rock concert I have ever been to that I have been asked to sit down. I was quietly leaning on a support beam in the left front center of the room with my camera ready to go while Friends and Romans were setting up their equipment when a gentleman asked me if I could sit down. My reaction was, wow he must be joking and I kind of laughed, when he looked at me, like no seriously don’t stand there anymore. I was courteous and moved over to the wall.
I love The Watershed and think it is a great place to listen to music and check out bands, but people have to learn to stand up every once in awhile. There are times when it is appropriate to sit and listen and there are times to get up and clap your hands and dance.
I also jumped to the assumption that since it was Friends and Romans CD Release show and they were the headlining band that me standing up might induce others to do it. I didn’t succeed in leading the charge.
Mike Mewborne opened up the night with a semi solo set, with songs featuring members of other bands and also his trusty mac.
I felt like I was in a VH1 episode of storytellers and it was great in every way. Mike has a great way of connecting with his audience with pure honesty. He let us all know where he was in his life with his fairly recent engagement, his faith and the stories behind his songs.
This brings the audience to a personal level with the artists and a sense of trust is bonded. I’m not sure how many people were in the crowded room when he played, but I’ll bet that they feel like they met a new friend and someone they can trust.
The Dirt and the Flood– I usually don’t have good things to say about people from Clemson, but I guess there are exceptions to everything. TDATF put on a very versatile show, switching instruments and each member taking over lead singing duties from song to song.
There were some minor technical difficulties with keyboards and a little bit with the guitar, but as I watched I was thinking that these are some of the things that make shows memorable and exciting and not in a bad way.
During one of the first songs when the keyboard didn’t work he just picked up a guitar and started playing. Oddly enough he broke a string right after this. When it rains it pours right.
The Dirt and the Flood showed poise and moved straight through their set and kept on sounding great. When you go see The Dirt and the Flood July 24th at The Channel in Greenville, make sure to pay extra attention during their last song. Just for the sake of comparing they have an Anathallo moment and really take over the stage. It is an exciting thing to watch.
And how about Friends and Romans. I’m really looking forward to seeing where this band goes, because they seem to have everything it takes. I’ve listened to “The Becoming” so much that I already can’t wait for another album. When five songs just aren’t enough…
They had the audiences complete attention from the first note all the way through the last. Nick Bays voice is smooth and deep and commands attention.
The band was well rehearsed and their show gave an accurate portrait of what the album was going to sound like when you put it in your car for the ride home.
If you missed this show we’ll give you a second chance.
Friends and Romans
July, 23 2008
New Brookland Tavern w/ Farewell Flight and Bear Colony
Columbia, South Carolina
Cost : $7
