94.1 The Zone offered a pep rally for Bills Mafia and a cure for a holiday hangover for alternative music fans on Friday, January 16 at Anthology in Rochester.
Three of the four acts on this featured bill currently possess songs in the Top 40 Alternative charts, while the fourth landed at number one on the same list in 2019. The Paradox headlined, with The Unlikely Candidates, OUT IN FRONT, and Edgehill rounding out the loaded lineup of heavy hitters.
A curious crowd filtered in early to get out of the cold after a pre-game meet-and-greet sponsored by the alternative radio station. They anticipated a scorching show with several up-and-comers, and no one was left disappointed.
Edgehill
Leading off the night was Edgehill, an indie pop rock trio formed at Vanderbilt University in Nashville. Quickly making an impact on radio after signing with Severence Records, Edgehill is Chris Kelly (lead vocals/guitar), Jake Zimmerman (lead guitar, vocals), and Aidan Cunningham (drums).
Edgehill came out ready to impress in their first visit to Rochester. Kelly snarled as emotion poured from his lyrics, giving off 90s alternative vibes. They ended “Something (Practically) with a hard rocking solo by Zimmerman and finished the song with heavy bass and swirling guitar distortion that segued into “Innocent”.
Their set was short but sweet. Big cheers came from the new fans as the band played their current ear candy on the Alternative charts, “Doubletake,” now up to #13 and still climbing.
Setlist: Love To Go, Something (Practically), Innocent, Doubletake, Lookaround
OUT IN FRONT
With a growing crowd already near full capacity, DJs from 94.1 The Zone were able to whip the people into a frenzy with a rousing chant of the Buffalo Bills’ “Shout” song before the next day’s AFC Divisional Playoff matchup with the Denver Broncos. With music fans at a fevered pitch, OUT IN FRONT followed with lead singer Madie Renner leading the way in a Josh Allen jersey.
The band came out swinging right off the bat, with their hit song rising up the alternative music charts, “fLoAT”. Renner’s powerful voice paraded with pigtails twirling and fell to her knees for a fearlessly thrashing guitar solo. Ryen Wagner on bass and drummer Isaiah Volk round out the Los Angeles-based garage indie-rock trio.
After incessant cross-country touring in support of their debut EP Straight Up to Space and a recent debut performance at Rochester’s iconic Bug Jar, this was a hometown ballgame of sorts for the drummer born in nearby Fairport. OUT IN FRONT included previous releases, “oxygen.” and “Around We Go” before they got the crowded room to sing along to “Sugar, We Goin Down” by Fall Out Boy.
OUT IN FRONT kicks off an extended national run in support of alternative/indie rapper Bryce Vine’s Let’s Do Something Stupid! tour from February 19-March 6. Earlier in the morning, they released “In Another Life” to the digital universe before performing it in person to the captive audience in Rochester. Tonight, OIF moved things along and set the table for the meat of the lineup yet to come.
Setlist: fLoAT, WAKE UP, Sugar, We Goin Down (Fall Out Boy cover), In Another Life, oxygen., Straight Up To Space, Forget July, AROUND WE GO
The Unlikely Candidates
In the three-hole was prolific veteran mashers The Unlikely Candidates, the most improbable entrant to the lineup, laden with relatively inexperienced but talented heavy hitters. Formed in 2008, they are no rookies to the alternative music scene. TUC has generated millions of streams, views, and downloads, dwarfing the combined totals of the three others on this bill. With catchy, hook-driven songs and a rabidly loyal fanbase, TUC continues to create new music despite a reduced touring schedule.
The Unlikely Candidates meant business and owned the room, right from the minute OIF cleared out of their way. All members of the band turned every inch of the stage into their territory as the opener, “Violence,” kicked off. TUC performed several of their well-known songs, which continued to resonate with concertgoers. Tunes like “Your Love Could Start a War and “Oh My Dear Lord” made it easy for attendees to sing along as part of the show.
Lead singer Kyle Morris showcased his vocal range, delivering a forcefully fierce falsetto on “I Believe In a Thing Called Love” by The Darkness. The dude can sing and commands the stage and beyond as if it’s his world we are visiting as guests. Near the end of their set, Morris set his body adrift amongst the sea of onlookers, floating as he surfed until security helped him to solid ground. Guitarists Brenton Carney and Cole Male were a current of constant motion, and bass player Jared Hornbeek added to the visual interest with his masterful movement.
Earlier in the day, The Unlikely Candidates released their first new single in nearly a year, debuting “Steady As It Gets” for the appreciative throng. But, they left their biggest hit for last, “Novocaine” — the #1 alternative bop from 2019 — as their antidote to the holiday hangover in Rochester. After fans recited every lyric, drummer Josh Montez commented after the show, “It’s good to know we still got it!”
With renewed focus, commitment as life allows, and a little strategery, The Unlikely Candidates can still compete for attention on the music scene on a part-time basis with their talented, professional cast.
Setlist: Violence, Your Love Could Start a War, Call My Name, High Low, I Believe in a Thing Called Love (The Darkness cover), Roses, Follow My Feet, Oh My Dear Lord, Bells, Steady As It Gets, Novocaine
The Paradox
Cleaning up to close out the night were the holders of the top spot on the Alternative charts with their current release, “Get the Message”. The Paradox held on to the #1 ranking for two weeks until Tame Impala knocked the champ off their throne. It was fitting for the young band to open their set with the chart topper. After getting the crowd properly hyped, they busted into “Bender” and got the full room waving their arms side-to-side. Unfortunately, their famous friend, Travis Barker, failed to make the trip to the Roc.
The Paradox is Eric Dangerfield (lead vocals/rhythm guitar), Christopher “Xelan” Bernard (lead guitar/vocals), Donald Bryant (bass), and Percy “PC3” Crews (drums). With boundless energy, they spent so much time in the air, you’d swear they were on a giant trampoline.
Soaring highest in complete control of the concert hall was lead singer Eric Dangerfield, 120 lbs soaking wet. After a successful run during last year’s Warped Tour, the frontman was at ease in front of a large gathering of people. Self-aware of their unique position as an African American punk-rock band, the slender singer leaned into it when he introduced their cover of “My Own Worst Enemy” by Lit, referring to his own band as Dark.
With a funny tale to tell about every song, Dangerfield asked if anyone felt like hearing some mosh music. As the band hit the opening notes to a cover of “Linoleum” by NOFX, the crowd quickly formed a circle of teen aggression to mirror the music. The Paradox walked it off after a slamming set with the crowd singing the chorus to “Do Me Like That” in unison.
Setlist: Get The Message, Bender, Imani, Happy Birthday To You, No Strings Attached, Do It Again, My Own Worst Enemy (Lit cover), Leave My Room, Kaitlyn, Linoleum (NOFX cover), Ms. Lauren, Do Me Like That
Holiday Hangover at Anthology was a home run. These bands are just scratching the surface of their hitmaking potential as they refine their talent in the minors. That includes veteran group The Unlikely Candidates, who are adjusting to a new reality as indie artists on a part-time touring schedule. While TUC is retooling, The Paradox, OUT IN FRONT, and Edgehill are ascending alternative prospects. One of these hot acts with major talent will soon get the call-up to the big leagues.
Photos by Jamie Mohr
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