May 12, 2013
New Brookland Tavern, Columbia SC
$12, all ages (buy tickets)
Doors at 7, Show at 8
Southern grown pop/rock band Cartel is making a stop in Columbia at New Brookland Tavern with support from State Champs and A Brighter Life.
Cartel rose to fame with their song “Honestly” off of their 2005 record Chroma and maintained it while participating in Dr. Pepper and Mtv’s Band in a Bubble series, the result of which was their self-titled, and arguably their best, album. The band released an EP in 2011 called In Stereo and recently released their latest studio album Collider, some of my favorites on which are “Second Chances” and “Disconnect.” This album doesn’t disappoint in the band’s consistency; they’ve stayed true to their pop/rock sound coupled with Will Pugh’s awesome vocals and lyrics. They’ve played with the likes of All Time Low, Boys Like Girls, Third Eye Blind, Forever The Sickest Kids, and Simple Plan among others.
I’ve been a big fan of Cartel since hearing “Say Anything (Else)” on their MySpace page in 2005 and have been waiting on an opportunity to see them live since then. They’re a band that sticks with you and while at times their music can be a bit repetitive and a little too familiar, they remain in my mind as one of the most underrated “one hit wonders” of the past ten years. It’s going to be a good show, so bring the important ladies in your life to celebrate Mother’s Day at New Brookland Tavern with Cartel and friends.
