...aaaand we are BACK! Welcome to 2025! It's a new year so time for new music and new bands! Last night's show at Funk 'n Waffles was the album release party for local band Paper Rabbit, as well as the first show ever for opener Reality Television.
It may have been their first gig, but Reality Television sure didn't sound inexperienced. They got the party started with a set of songs that sounded heavily influenced by early 2000's emo/pop-punk, and bands like Manchester Orchestra. In what was to be a trend for the night, they weren't much for small talk. They had a job to do and got right to it. They played a solid set. While my knowledge of music is far from encyclopedic, only one song (Harvey Danger's "Flagpole Sitta") stuck out to me as being a cover. If this was truly their first show, then Reality Television is one to keep an eye on for what they do next!
Next up was Rochester's Shy Tooth. Their set was more straightforward rock, with a sound more reminiscent of bands like Weezer, and Tom Petty, and a voice like John Rzeznik. The crowd responded well to them, swaying and heads bobbing along until their time was up. Their set was solidly "good" but had a couple of odd moments, like when they twice tried to make a joke about them being at "Franklins Waffles" (maybe it was an inside joke for the band?) and their set ended with a song that, while good, seemed to bring the energy down a bit instead of the more usual choice of a song to bring things a climax and "end with a bang." That said, my colleague said it was her favorite song of the set.
Finally the moment had arrived, Paper Rabbit took the stage. On Spotify they describe themselves as indie-pop, and their sound reminded me of The Breeders or a less dreamlike Mazzy Star. The party was for the release of their new album "Havre de Grace". I have a sneaking suspicion that the other acts had run long, as their set felt shorter than the other two bands, and had so little banter that I had to look to their website for the album title. Their songs were heartfelt; dealing with love, loss, conflict, and points in between. Frontwoman Brenna Merritt's voice is in turns both strong and gentle, and always emotive. This is a band for introspective emotions, not vocal fry and aggression. In particular, their song "Letters" reminded me of José González's song "Heartbeats." Their songs are the type of music that got me through college: energetic enough to motivate and sustain without burning too bright like metal or EDM, and hooky enough to get stuck in your head walking across campus. Their set was that perfect zone where you can dance if you want, but would also sound great while chilling with a beer and friends by a campfire or a lake. I highly recommend checking them out if you get the chance!
More from Paper Rabbit at Funk 'n Waffles:
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