Buffalo's Soundlab Floored by Sunset Rubdown

Sunset Rubdown’s intense energy engulfed the room as soon as Camilla Wynn Ingr quaintly stepped on stage in the dank basement of downtown Buffalo’s Soundlab, carrying her synthesizer.

The band, from Montreal, consists of Spencer Krug on vocals, keys and guitar; Ingr on synthesizer, various percussion and vocals; Michael Doerksen on drums and Jordan Robson-Cramer on drums and guitar.
As band began to set up their equipment, sans roadies, Ingr quickly ran off stage, only to return with a handful of beers to distribute to the band. During her course of tuning up and tinkering around, and hitting an unpleasant chord, she exclaimed “Oh! I’m not drunk enough to do this yet!” And proceeded to chug a beer as the crowd egged her on.
Krug then stepped up to the mic and shyly shouted, “Hey, in the back, can you turn the stage lights down please? Thank you so much.”

The crowd’s spirit hung on the communal sense of anxiety, excitingly waiting for the show to begin. Some people enthusiastically shared stories of past Sunset concerts, while others just made small talk over a few beers.

But the very instant Krug’s fingers touched the keyboard, playing the first chord to “Winged/Wicked Things” off of their album Random Spirit Lover, released in October 2007, the crowd became still and silent, with all eyes permanently fixed on the stage.
What was truly impressive about Sunset’s performance, aside from the fact that their energy and passion completely swallowed each individual, was that their sound sounded so pure, so true. Most bands sound different live than in the studio, but Sunset manages to keep their originality and timbre intact, mainly because they are genuine when they record. Particularly Krug. The incredibly distinct timbre of Krug’s voice was preserved in the live show, because he embraces the unique abrasiveness of his voice and does not digitally alter it in the recording studio.

The band made it clear that they wanted the audience to focus completely on the music. Krug requested that the stage lights be turned off, leaving the stage illuminated solely by the small blue-light lamps permanently fixed on Krug’s keyboard and Ingr’s synthesizer. This effect, or lack there of, created an aura of passion and energy where you could literally feel the music.
“Wicked/Winged Things” was the perfect opening song; it begins delicately with a harmonic string chorus, produced by Krug’s keyboard, and pretty lyrics. Then about 40 sec. in, an electrifying rush of passion pierces your soul. The entire band joins in, with a complex, yet coordinating soundscape. The synthesizer plays a counter melody, the drums a commanding rhythm and the guitar a series of licks that tickles your mind. They begin to rock so vigorously that the stage resembles an earthquake, and the lamps on the keyboards swayed with fury.

The band proceeded to play an hour and forty-five minute long set, consisting of songs from both Random Spirit Lover, and, Shut Up I Am Dreaming, released in May, 2006, as well as a few unrecorded songs. All of which had equal, or perhaps more, passion and energy as the opening song. Krug’s once crisp grey button-up shirt quickly became dark slate with sweat.
The band upheld this energy throughout the entire show, even though as Ingr announced earlier on in the show, that the majority of the band was sick. The band was physically exhausted after their final song “The Mending of the Gown,” a Sunset classic, and after a sincere thank you, they left the stage. The audience screamed, whistled and hooted with the ultimate praise, begging for more. After a solid two minutes of cheering, Sunset resumed their places on stage and marched through their fatigue for a two-song encore.

Krug finally closed the show with a heart-felt message to the audience, “You guys deserved this encore, and I am sincerely flattered,” he said. “Thank you for your undying support, you guys are awesome."

I was absolutely floored by Sunset's performance. I have been to quite a few shows in my day, and this was by far the best. A+'s all around.