Pop Unknown, Schatzi, Time Spent Driving & Isabell

I remember, in my younger years, thinking that the old adage, "When you assume, you make an ass out of you and me," was the single most clever thing ever invented. Obviously, however, I did not take the advice to heart, as will be proven shortly.
My first mistake was making the assumption that since the posted show time was 8:00 PM, that I could safely arrive somewhere between 8:15 and 8:30 and still catch the majority of Isabell, who, besides Time Spent Driving, was the band I wanted to see the most. Unfortunately, this assumption proved to be off-base, as my arrival coincided exactly with the end of Isabell's set. Sorrow was felt.
Fortunately, this sorrow was to be eased (and simultaneously voiced) by the introspective yet simplistic music of Time Spent Driving. The musical flavor occupies a somewhat unique niche located somewhere between full-on poppiness and subtle thoughtfulness. They played a few songs I knew off their last EP, and added a couple from their new CD, before exiting the stage in favor of Schatzi.
Having never before heard, or even heard of Schatzi, I once again ventured to make an assumption: Schatzi would suck ass. The origins of this ominous forecast are unknown, but I think I just felt somewhat repelled by the name Schatzi, and somewhat bitter that Time Spent Driving were third on the bill behind a band with a name like Schatzi. Once again, however, my assumptions proved to be wrong, but this time in an entirely positive way. Schatzi was the happiest indie rock outfit I've seen in a long time. In fact, at times Schatzi toed the line of Bracket-like new school punk. Schatzi was also the loudest band I've heard in awhile, as their vintage Orange half-stacks created a din ill-suited to the cozy confines of The Catacombs. But none of those present seemed to mind, as those who did had already vacated the insides of the venue, leaving only those with pre-existing hearing loss and those who openly courted it.
After Schatzi, the only band remaining was Pop Unknown, a band that was equally unknown to me. Judging by the murmur amongst the black haired minions in attendance, they are a band that has earned a somewhat decent following within those who keep abreast of underground music. Someone said that their new CD reminded them of The Cure, and my interest was piqued. The band eased into their opening number, both guitars creating an ambient wash of melodiousness. The band kicked in and although it didn't sound much like The Cure, Pop Unkown did manage to integrate a few Robert Smith-like guitar lines into their thick sound. I couldn't really hear the vocals, but I was too enthralled by the music to really mind. After a couple of songs, the band eased into a long instrumental interlude, with the guitars again taking the fore. I was pleased and in this I was not alone. The majority of those in attendance were seemingly absorbed into the musical aura surrounding the otherwise callous looking members of Pop Unknown, making their set a fitting end to an educational night of rock music.
- Daniel Taylor
- photos by Myles Stenger

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