I was quite looking forward to spending a quiet night at home last night, but I got an e-mail inviting me to go to The Stranger's Six CD release party with The Transit War, and I decided that it was time to finally check out these two bands who play all the time but somehow I've never seen. Plus, the show was at Lestat's, so how could I not go the 8 or so blocks from my house?
I arrived around 8:45 and there was a line outside of about 40 people. Maybe more, I'm not a good judge of that sort of thing. I went around back and after reading the blurt in the Reader (where Ken Leighton totally ripped off my blog), I listened to a couple songs in soundcheck. When they finally opened the doors to the crowd, I went back outside and introduced myself to Aaron from The Stranger's Six. He was super nice and accommodating, and made sure I didn't have problems getting in. He asked how my day was which evolved into a conversation about day jobs and what the band members do irl. (that's 'in real life' to you who don't know) Aaron is a graphic designer, and there's a waiter, two are handymen, and I think he said the last one works at a coffee shop. One shouldn't talk too much before performing, so I headed in and just then, The Transit War started their set.
I had no idea Lestat's could rock out like that...I've only been aware of acoustic or unplugged type performances there. It made me wish for a second that I was 17 so I could fully appreciate an intimate all ages venue with good lighting, great sound, and two bands I would've definitely had crushes on back then.
From the very first song, I was pulled in by The Transit War. I liked the contrast of the dual vocals, where one ventures just to the brink of emo the other pulls him back. They were just good, solid "alternative rock" which was definitely a change of pace for me since most of the rock bands I tend to see draw heavily from the 70s. I enjoyed them so much, I hadn't noticed how full the room had become or how hot it was in it. 
After cooling off outside and refreshing my beverage, The Stranger's Six started and I somehow managed to squeeze in up front, kneeling on the floor so as not to piss off the whole room of people I just cut in front of. Again, from the first song I was pulled into the music as was the crowd who seemed to know and sing along to a lot of the songs they played.
CityBeat called them "a gothy rock band with big, mainstream hooks, like Unwritten Law meets My Chemical Romance," and while I agree with the big hooks, I didn't get anything gothy from what I saw. On top of that description, I would add that they were a pleasure to watch, a pleasure to listen to, and after the show, a pleasure to have cocktails with at the Ould Sod. While their press photos are meant to appeal to MCR/P!@tD/Fall Out Boy types, I'm glad I reserved judgment until I saw them. I can see how they fit that audience, but they don't lose me like those bands do because the vocals never hit that whine that so many of those do. My CD is on its way, but if it's even half as good as their live show, I will have no complaints.
If you weren't at the show, you missed out big time, because Aaron got naked. 
Just kidding. He was wearing a tank top ("I'm bringin it back," he said) but I kinda like the naked look of this pic. Apologies to Luke, the other guitarist, I just didn't manage to get a pic of you.
