Before Running from Wolves and Triage came on stage, Plugged Inn, a concert venue in Sunderland, is filled with the sounds of a repetitive rock track. One could imagine listening to wordless alternative rock music with an electric guitar playing the same notes over and over again, as if the guitarist knows only those notes. After two hours of drinking, socializing, and becoming restless, guests are finally greeted by Running from Wolves with lead singer Chris Storey announcing, “We’re Running from Wolves from Atlanta, Georgia!”
The template starts immediately with a catchy guitar rhythm and Storey screaming out the lyrics. A baritone voice that only belongs to bass player Matt Pearson sings out while Storey screams out the surprisingly understandable lyrics. Their whole set is Storey screaming while Pearon’s baritone vocals sing out the meaningful lyrics.
The way they perform is unique, with Storey jumping around the venue and singing literally to the audience’ faces. It’s almost as if the band wants the audience to understand what they’re singing, even though at times, it just sounds like someone is screaming in your face. What was most interesting and appreciated is the fact that Storey and the rest of the band would explain what inspired their next song, while making jokes, eliciting a few chuckles among the audience.
An hour or so later, Running from Wolves exits the stage with a “Cheers!” to the audience. The audience gets back to getting more drinks and waiting for the second band of the night, Triage. Just when the audience was getting comfortable, Triage emerges to the stage and starts off with their first song of the night. Their music is more understandable and a bit more tolerable since lead singer Dean Wiseman’s tenor voice smoothly flows along with the guitars, bass, and drums. Using a synthesizer, Wiseman stops every now and then to change the beats and rhythm of the song. Merging technicality and melody seems to work with the distinctive voice of Wiseman. The audience seems more involved with Triage than they did with Running from Wolves, especially when Wiseman jumps from one place to the other around the venue and singing to the audience with a passion that could only belong to the meaning of each lyric that he sings. At one point, Wiseman runs up the stairs of the venue and stops just right at the top to sing to the people below him. Triage’s sounds are similar to those of Tool and the high spirits of Wiseman makes their set enjoyable and unique.
The whole night was a new experience, especially to those who have never attended a rock concert before. The night was flamboyant and absurd, but also enticing and unique.
Media Raid 