Last night, The Henry Clay People and Futurebirds played a show together on Delaware’s Ninth Ward, as part of a few shows they’re playing together along individual tours. The turnout wasn’t very large, but the two bands seemed not to care as they played through their sets with enough energy to fill up First Niagara Center.  In fact, the smaller crowd helped to better the experience for band and audience alike, creating an intimate feeling that really made the concert what it was.

The Henry ClayPeople picked a wonderful setlist, taking advantage of their most energetic songs in this smaller venue. Knowing their ballads wouldn’t work, they loaded their show up with as many of their more punk songs as possible. Their presence on stage was fun to watch, as well, particularly the interaction between lead singer Joey Siara and his brother and lead guitarist Andy. When discussing his band’s new album, Twenty Five For The Rest Of Our Lives, Joey said : “It felt good to write songs about giving a shit...so we’re gonna play like we give a shit.” They then played such songs as "Hide" and "Twenty Five for the Rest of Our Lives," showing how much they really do give a shit about their music.

Until last night, I had known nothing about the Futurebirds except for a blog post about them written by Cliff Parks. I left the concert last night knowing no song names or albums, but knowing everything about them as a band instead. These are six guys who are really passionate about their music, and they let it show in every song they perform. At one point they played a song that lasted about nine minutes, but I was put in such a trance by their spacy country sound that I hadn’t realized how much time had passed until it was over. I’m very glad I found these guys last night, because they are a band everyone should know. The impermeable wall of sound created by the three guitars, pedal steel guitar, bass and drums and three or four part vocal harmonies was like a punch to the face with a sock em bopper, and the band could be smiling the whole way through it.

The Henry Clay People recently released their newest album, titled Twenty Five For The Rest Of Our Lives, featuring their single, "Hide." For those of us Buffalonians, the California based Henry Clay People can be found only at the surface of the dense indie underground. Although they may come across a band destined for the obscure, this four piece indie punk group has made a substantial dent in the genre over the past half decade, touring with Silversun Pickups and Against Me! in 2010 and putting out numerous EPs and full length albums.

           

Amidst the growing trend of a more danceable electronic sound in the indie world, THCP have proved that there is still integrity in chiming distorted guitars and deadpan vocals that recall Steven Malkmus’ most tuneful moments. Songs like the title track hold true to the band’s choppy guitars and grimy sound, but tracks like "Hide" and "Backseat of a Cab" bring forth a newer, more musical sound as well. Vintage sounding synths layer themselves over more spacey guitar effects (like on the tune "Living Rooms"), and the vocals’ slightly more processed sound shows a pleasant change from their past albums’ more raw production.

           

This is not to say The Henry Clay People have lost their touch of energetic punk mixed in with the perfect blend of intellect and angst. The lyrics in this album pay homage to every early twenties post grad falling victim to the current world we live in, but all the while maintaining a veiled dark humor as well: “But we went to school because we do what we’re told and we found some jobs and payed off our loans/then we lost our jobs so let your parents know that you’ll be moving home”. All in all, Twenty Five For The Rest Of Our Lives seems to be THCP’s most interesting and ambitious album yet, showing a blend of sounds and themes that have become the staple of their sound. Yet I hope they continue in this direction of a more well polished sound, as well; With the way they are going now, this band may not make it out of the underground, but should find themselves a devoted fan base in no time.

The Henry Clay People will be opening for the Futurebirds tonight at the Ninth Ward.  Doors open at 7:00pm.