City of Ships at Will’s Pub
Every Monday, Will's Pub does its special "Low Dough Mondays," with a $3 cover, $1 Pabst and $2 Domestic beers. I don't drink, so I don't know, but judging by the name, I'm guessing that's quite a deal. Last Monday, June 14, Low Dough featured 3 bands, Copper Bones, Nights on Fire and City of Ships, who played the tightest set I have ever seen. The way the group layed down such a heavy groove was really exciting and engaging.
The show was definitely for Orlando's 30-something crowd, which made me feel a little out of place, especially when Copper Bones made a "... wouldn't know that band because he's only 28" jokes. The stage banter was much more interesting than most shows I go to, and the music was still was pretty nice. Copper Bones and Nights on Fire were more like 90's pop punk bands, not my kind of thing, but perhaps I'm just a little young for it. Both bands were tight, good and entertaining, and I'd say they're worth an ear if you get down to punk rock.
The opener for the night, City of Ships, were stopping in Orlando on the last of 4 Florida dates before they lave for their US Tour with Rosetta and Battlefields on July 3. They were the band I really went to see. City of Ships is almost shamelessly similar to Thrice, but they play so well that it's really easy to forgive them for it and wonder why Thrice isn't better. Their live set was super groove-laden and kept heads banging constantly. The entire show was high-energy without moshing or hardcore dancing. It was an experience based on the energy radiating from the stage.
Anybody who's been to Will's on Mills knows that it's a tiny place with a cramped stage, and a lot of the bands I've seen there look like they feel awkward playing so close together, but it's clear that this band is confident on stage, emotive and powerful and even the way they set up, all next to each other on the stage of Will's Pub was really cool. The drummer wasn't setup in the back back; rather, the guitarist/vocalist and the bassist were both right next to the drummer. The dynamic there added a lot of energy and motion to the stage... the drummer was really exciting to watch.
City of Ships know exactly what they're doing. The songs are more heartfelt than technical, but the stripped-down 3-piece keeps its sound full and heavy. The vocals feel truly heartfelt and the lyrics are beautiful. These guys are highly recommended both on stage and on album.
Check out City of Ships' 2009 release, Look What God Did to Us and check them out on tour with Rosetta and Battlefields this summer. If you would like to hear a track off the new album, look for the stream on our Tumblr, and click here for their tour dates. Pictures taken by Nicole C. Kibert at the New World Brewery in Tampa. Find her at elawgrrl.com or check her out on Flickr.