Nearly 20 Years of Proudly Serving The Lou: The Silversun Pickups Deliver.
The Silversun Pickups, a band that has proudly served St. Louis for nearly 20 years, formed 24 years ago. They burst onto the radio and mainstream consciousness with their debut studio release, 2006’s brilliant, ground-breaking album, Carnavas, which featured the breakout alternative radio hits “Well Thought Out Twinkles” and “Lazy Eye.” Propelled by these two singles, extensive touring, and widespread airplay, the album achieved Gold status with 500,000 copies sold. Their first performance in St. Louis on October 22, 2006, at the now-defunct club Mojo’s marked the beginning of a strong bond with the city. A packed, enthusiastic mixed crowd of alternative music fans gathered at the spacious but intimate Hawthorn on Thursday night to witness their tenth show in St Louis. The band treated the audience to 20 tracks, including songs from eight studio album releases, culminating in their most recent release, “Physical Thrills.”
After a thunderous, booming, bass-heavy set from handpicked LA-based opener Rocket, which saw members of the Silversun Pickups shower the band with balloons during their last song, the rowdy crowd was primed correctly, eagerly awaiting the main event. There was an undeniable electricity in the air, and the anticipation was palpable. The Silversun Pickups did not disappoint, delivering an electrifying performance!
Bathed in red lights and fog, The LA-based quartet (Guitarist/vocalist Brian Aubert, bassist/vocalist Nikki Monninger, keyboardist Jon Lester, and drummer Christopher Guaniao) took the stage to warm applause and cheering and launched right into “Growing Old Is Getting Old,” The Silversun Pickups have been serving music lovers for almost 20 years now. The crowd was also treated to great live versions of cuts like “Panic Switch,” including a snippet of Radiohead’s “Paranoid Android” during the intro, deep cuts like “Circadian Rhythm (Last Dance),” “Little Lover’s So Polite,” and closer, “Lazy Eye.”
While drummer Christopher Guanlao and his acrylic kit were challenging to see in the darkness and fog, bassist Nikki Monninger and guitarist Brian Aubert were front and center. They interacted and played off each other telepathically. At the same time, keyboardist Jon Lester added soothing synth swashes and effects to create a spacey, echo-laden atmosphere that matched the fog and light show and heightened the overall vibe and impact. Aubert and Monninger took turns on lead vocals and backed each other. Hearing Aubert’s wispy, ethereal vocals and Nikki’s soothing delivery meld together is blissful. For the uninitiated, The Silversun Pickups’ music shares some of the dynamics, effects, and vocal delivery of Smashing Pumpkins or even the Pixies.
As with all Silversun Pickups shows, the affable, comical, and earnest Aubert took time to express heartfelt thanks to the fans and the city that has always welcomed them, he remarked that they’ve been coming to St. Louis for 20 years (actually 18) and that he remembers several shows here, including one infamous at the Leevee at the Arch back in July 2010. Aubert said, “I remember the last time we played here; it was a hellscape. It was pouring, and people were loading our gear and dressed in bathing suits.” He added, “We are deeply connected to this place and you. What a great venue this is. It’s like it (The Hawthorn) was built for us and this show.”
Between another song, Aubert told the crowd, “We’re going to take a trip back to 2005. Were some of you even born? Remember when your friends used to burn CDS? Well, one of those bands was us.” The crowd was full of young fans, including those with cool parents, hip couples, and more mature concertgoers.
After closing with “Nightlight,” the band returned to warm applause, stomping, and cheers for more and played five more tunes, including the closer, “Lazy Eye.” They played an extended version, and then the last notes rang out, echoing in waves of feedback, light, and space. The slightly dazed, sweaty, satisfied audience filed into the cool April night, their heads ringing with the majestic melodies, velcro choruses, and supreme experience in their collective consciousness. It was a great show, and we hope the Silversun Pickups return for their 11th show in St. Louis as soon as possible.
