*Footage & photos by Kenny Howell

WBRU-FM celebrated its 40^th anniversary Saturday night at Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel in Providence, RI and they invited a couple friends – CAGE THE ELEPHANT and SILVERSUN PICK UPS.

Kentucky-bred CAGE THE ELEPHANT kicked off the festivities with an hour long set and they kept true to their Southern roots with bluegrass twang and gritty undertones. Lead singer MATT SHULTZ was in constant motion with his maniacal vigor and magnetism and I cannot recall seeing a band rock so enthusiastically as this five piece.

They kicked out tunes from their self-titled debut including the bass-propelled groove of “In One Ear,” the instantly addictive “Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked” and the surge-n-stomp single “Back Against The Wall.”

CAGE THE ELEPHANT displayed enough raw talent and passion to suggest they can outlast many of the musical trends.

I was anxious to see SILVERSUN PICKUPS because SWOON is definitely one of my favorite albums of 2009 and I was curious to see how it would translate live.

The set opened with “There’s No Secrets This Year” and included the Pixies-ish “Well Thought Out Twinkles,” and the overdosed treble and layers of distortion of “Panic Switch.” The highlight of the set was “Catch and Release” one of the album’s finest moments – both lyrically and sonically.

SSPU’s played like a melodic wall of noise with a surge of guitar squalls highlighted by the beautiful and sometimes haunting harmonies of bass player NIKKI MONNINGER. I will admit I often thought that BRIAN AUBERT ’s vocals on the CD might were overdubbed to achieve his sound but after seeing them live there is no doubt those  robust  and atmospheric rousing vocals are legit.

It was apparent that the majority of the sold-out was here to see the SSPU. Often the breaks between songs were extended to accommodate all of the rambunctious applause and the band seemed primed to adore every minute of it.

For more information  visit SILVERSUN PICKUPS & CAGE THE ELEPHANT

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