Trocaderos is tucked away in the warehouse district of downtown Minneapolis, only a few blocks south from the mighty, mucky Mississippi.  The venue’s sign that hangs over the entry way is small and unassuming (the Monte Carlo’s sticks out more!), but pretense lay beyond the threshold.  What is it about venues in this area?  Everywhere there seems to be a façade of high flutin’ culture that caters to an unknown gentry.  Perhaps they lurk in the shadows, or perhaps they’re all just too busy dropping cash at Déjà Vu?

Either way, Trocaderos’ employees are prepared, all decked out in metro-formal wear – black sports coats, white button-downs, and shiny polished shoes.  Not what one would expect from a rock n’ roll venue, and really, Trocaderos is not.  They once primarily booked local and national hip hop acts, but crowds proved too rowdy over time, and the live music emphasis shifted to rock bands.  But let us award laurels where laurels are due: Trocaderos has one of the best sounding rooms in town supported by an equally good sound system.  Even a really poor sounding band could have a good night here… maybe.

Lucky for me, I showed up on a night where the amateurs left their gear at home.  Were it not for the inactivity and lack of upkeep on the Dropping Daylight webpages, Pay Attention might be cast as a Dropping Daylight side project.   Instead, this seems full-fledged.  Members of this new band include Seth (vocals & guitar) and Sebastian (bass) Davin, and Allen Maier (drums), all members of Dropping Daylight.

Seth Davin (Photo by C. Pittman)

But Pay Attention is not Dropping Daylight.  Their sound is more mature, a slight turn away from 21st century influences and hearkening back to the three chord songs of old.  This vintage approach is evident in just about all things Pay Attention, from the names of songs such as “A Little Too Rock n’ Roll” to covers of classics like “Crazy Train”.  Their forthcoming EP is called Choke on Folk, a title that would seem fit coming from the lips of Bob Dylan, as he casually blows smoke in your face.

The Davin’s are well postured on stage, sure signs of seasoned road warriors who’ve paid their dues.  Maier is no slouch either; his beats are impeccably consistent.  Even in its infancy, Pay Attention’s potential soars – you should see this band if you are a fan of good ole’ fashioned folk rock with just a sprinkle of rockabilly.  And if you were not a fan of Dropping Daylight, do not discount this new band.  The direction here is that of the Jayhawks and Golden Smog, and colloquially put, it’s pretty freakin’ cool.

Sebastian Davin (Photo by C. Pittman)

SueCity occupied the middle roster slot after Pay Attention.  It’s no secret that SueCity gets the thumbs up, and it’s no secret that they deserve it either.  SueCity has a live show that kills.  But even that’s not what earns them their street cred.  It’s their tunes.  These guys can write hooks, and these always must come before the line and sinker of image and live show.  Three hours afterward I still found myself repeating the lines “High heels,  short skirt.  She’s got it all and it’s makin’ me hurt.”  (Read more about SueCity’s live show HERE.)

SueCity (Photo by C. Pittman)

Yet despite the fervor of the openers and their audiences, the night belonged to the headlining band Cocaine.  Looking as if they were plucked off the streets of L.A. in 1983, Cocaine feeds off the nostalgia of the masses, brought on by so many bands in the last ten years that failed to rock as hard as their antecessors.  And when you present rock starved crowds with a stage image that reminds them of early Motley Crüe and Guns n’ Roses, you had better deliver or die beneath the throng.

Throng pacified, Cocaine delivered.

Teddy Guns (Photo by C. Pittman)

With kerchiefs at their sides, Cocaine thrust their blues based rock onto the Trocaderos crowd.  They hung on singer Benny Caine’s every word, and many Cocaine addicts could be seen mouthing lyrics in tandem.  Guitarists Teddy Guns and George Shaffner traded lead rolls, but with different flavor; Guns stands like a mighty obelisk, just as Slash used to do – while Shaffner moves about like an Ozzy-era Randy Rhodes.  And much like their classic analogues, both can bust out screaming melodic solos like pin-pulled hand grenades.  The rhythm section of Andy Blackstein and Dane Tudors are perhaps what really set Cocaine apart from the pack.  On large stages, amateur bands crumble with distance and staggered monitors, but Blackstein and Tudors didn’t miss a beat.  They’re the glue that sticks that stuff to your ears, and really, you’re only tapping and clapping in time if they are. (Incidentally, I’ve seen plenty of crowds clap off beat, but not this one.)

People will be drawn to bands for many, many different reasons.  Some like an on stage stoicism and thoughtful lyrics, others an artistic flavor and unorthodox song structure.  The list only ends with the last listener.  Cocaine is not so much a recreation of a wheel as it is a renewal of one that works.  Give people good ole’ fashioned rock n’ roll, alcohol, and rampant sexuality to boot, and there’ll be plenty of fuel for fire to catch.  This band is all out live revelry, and should you be fortunate enough to see them, bring your best lighter and dancing shoes (but leave your cocaine at home).

(Note: all three of these bands are currently in the studio recording albums.  Look for them on iTunes or in your local record store later this year or early next.)

Ignite by: SueCity

Seth Davin of Pay Attention (Photo by C. Pittman)

Justin Peterson of SueCity (Photo by C. Pitmann)

Nick Dahl of SueCity (Photo by C. Pittman)

Kelly Hammerschmidt of SueCity (Photo by C. Pittman)

Symon Polley of SueCity (Photo by C. Pittman)

Cocaine (Photo by C. Pittman)

Benny Caine of Cocaine (Photo by C. Pittman)

George Shaffner of Cocaine (Photo by C. Pittman)

Andy Blackstein of Cocaine (Photo by C. Pittman)

Cocaine (Photo by C. Pittman)

Andy Blackstein of Cocaine (Photo by C. Pittman)

Benny Caine of Cocaine (Photo by C. Pittman)

Photo by C. Pittman

Links

Cocaine – Myspace

SueCity – Website / Myspace

Pay Attetnion - Myspace

posted June 3rd, 2009 at 9:56 am MN Rock, Reviews Cocaine, Pay Attention, SueCity