May 21, 2013 – LumberJunk played C’est What? last night and featured songs from their newly released second EP. LumberJunk is Matt Weidinger on lead vocals, keyboards and on some songs, rhythm guitar, Darryl Romphf of guitar, Darius McKinley on bass and Jamie Alegre on drums. They play a soulful brand of generally mellow blues/roots rock that’s strong on melodies, radio friendly choruses and exquisite guitar. Front man Matt Weidinger’s strong vocals and the band’s sound as a whole, evoke Hootie & The Blowfish.
We first caught LumberJunk at the Horseshoe Tavern back in February when a disturbance caused their set there to be delayed. We got there expecting to see In My Coma well underway and were fortunate enough to catch LumberJunk’s set first. That night they played to packed enthusiastic house, last night it was the cozy confines of C’est What? on Front Street East. C’est What? is a photographer’s dream because of its perfect lighting, which is by far the best in the city and the great exposed brick backdrop. And it’s a beer lover’s paradise with a huge selection of premium craft beers. I can recommend the St. Ambroise Pale Ale on tap, a great hoppy, citrusy beer with great creamy foam.
OK, getting back on topic… Sadly the world lost a keyboard legend in Ray Manzarek on Monday and LumberJunk chose to honour him, who Weidinger said was one of the influences that got him into playing the keyboards, by playing three Doors songs, LA Woman, Break On Through and Light My Fire. It was eerie how Weidinger was able to pull off Morrison and Manzarek at the same time, while Romphf’s playing was completely indistinguishable from Robby Kreiger’s. Like the Rival Sons’ Scott Holiday, Romphf plays a Gibson Firebird guitar on stage and just like Holiday, Romphf’s incredible warm guitar tone and brilliant playing are hypnotic. Can’t say how much of the tone actually comes from the guitar itself (versus using the same pickups/amp/effects with another guitar body) but it’s a really cool looking instrument that is still (but probably not for long) a bit of a rarity.
At the Horseshoe, Weidinger played a Hammond organ but getting the extremely heavy Hammond and the accompanying very heavy Leslie speaker down the flight stairs to C’est What? led to the prudent decision of using the ubiquitous and versatile nord electro 3 instead and I doubt anyone not in the band noticed the difference. If it would have been noticed, and it wasn’t by me, it would have been on Stick It Out For More when Weidinger turned to Romphf and said, “We’re going to church!!” and then adding, “…But not for long” before using the trademark Hammond sound for a brief intro into the bluesy song.
The EP is:
Someday
The Day is Coming Soon
Procrastination
Fade Away
Homeless Blues
Stick It Out For More
Someday starts out reminiscent of early REM and builds up, like most LumberJunk songs, to a strong chorus. The Day is Coming Soon was for me the highlight of the night when they played it live. This is a very precise band in every way, but this one rocked out the most on the night with Romphf playing a scorching guitar solo. This is a song that has hit written all over it if it gets the right exposure. Procrastination has a great groove. Fade Away features Weidinger’s powerful vocals. Romphf takes a half step back on this one to let McKinley play some funky bass while Weidinger goes crazy on the keys. Homeless Blues is actually built on a catchy reggae beat. The EP closes with Stick It Out For More, which on the EP has the feel of a Michael Bolton ballad but live is a show highlight. Drummer Alegre, eyes closed throughout the song, along with Romphf put every ounce of passion and emotion they have into their backing vocals. There’s more seering guitar from Romphf throughout but this one is ultimately Weidinger’s showcase song, from the lyrics, vocals and keyboards.
The rhythm section of this band cannot be overlooked as it’s probably the best around. Drummer Jamie Alegre might be the most technically proficient drummer since Neil Peart. Bassist Darius McKinley is rock solid and always in lock step with Alegre. This all allows Romphf’s usual single guitar, the freedom to accent the song with numerous fills that enhance the melodies without needing to hold hold down the rhythm. But Romphf did get some assistance on guitar on a few songs. On the their most rocking songs, Someday, The Day is Coming Soon, and their newest song, Carry You Home, Weidinger took a break from the keyboards to play guitar.
Set List
1 Someday
2 Till The Morning Comes
3 Won’t Be The Same
4 No Need To Care
5 The Day is Coming Soon
6 LA Woman
7 Carry You Home
8 Stick It Out For More
9 Break On Through
10 Procrastination
11 Fade Away
12 Spotless Grin
13 Light My Fire
14 The World Out There
This is an extremely talented band that has flown somewhat under the radar but I expect that’s going to change as word gets out about how good this band is. I wouldn’t be surprised to hear a lot of their songs on the radio, starting with The Day is Coming Soon.
Read our Emerging Artist Spotlight on LumberJunk here.
LumberJunk website: http://lumberjunk.com/
Review and photos by Steve Mallinson
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