The Appleseed Cast Live Review

“Tranquil Distortion” | The Appleseed Cast Live Review | Backbooth, Orlando, FL | August 8, 2015

by • September 7, 2015

BackBooth was packed on a busy Saturday night in downtown Orlando. Anyone who’s been in the venue when it’s at or near capacity knows that it can easily get very, very uncomfortable. Fortunately, everyone present was in the best of spirits, friendly, and just genuinely pleasant. I’ve learned that a band’s fan base actually does reflect that band, or at the least that band’s music. Meaning, frequently, the temperament of the band or the music tends to be that of the fans. Thankfully, the vibe was great from the moment I walked in.

The Appleseed Cast’s journey started in southern California and took them to North Carolina, before settling down and ultimately planting roots in Lawrence, Kansas. They have been signed to a number of labels, released 9 records, and toured extensively on and off for many years, having gotten their start back in the ’90s. The band really couldn’t have looked any more at home than on stage: they had a nonchalance that only comes from playing hundreds to thousands of shows. It was quickly evident that the mood of the audience did indeed stem from the band itself.

For those who haven’t had the opportunity to hear the Cast’s deep catalogue, this is the type of show you go to and just get lost in the sound of the music. The post-rock elements in the live set were pleasingly strong, with wave after wave of guitar tone just drowning your ears in a sea of tranquil distortion. At times, the bass lines created their own melodies, standing out from the rest of the instrumentation. During other songs, they undulated underneath the guitars like a school of dolphins just beneath the crest of the surf. The drums similarly fluctuated between a sharp piercing of the canvas and a soft caressing of the pallet. This was juxtaposed with band’s mature songwriting. Not seeming eager to pander or please, one gets a musical impression/feeling of utmost honesty. The loud-yet-soothing sound of much of the set made it easy to drift off into a musical euphoria and just…..let……go………

Everyone in the room seemed to be intonated to the brilliance they were sonically observing. And while the room had a lot of 30-somethings in it, there were plenty of young pups there, too. Matter of fact, one of coolest things about the night was this seven year old little dude in attendance (wearing noise-canceling headphones). He hung out right at the front of the stage for the whole show. Taylor Holenbeck (guitar) came over and interacted with him on a couple of occasions, even posing for a pic with the kid while in the middle of playing a song. (If that youngling’s parents are reading this: great job! You are doing it right!)

Having been a fan of The Appleseed Cast for quite a few years now, it was quite fulfilling to get to finally experience them live. I had waited some time for this opportunity and I didn’t leave disappointed. The band’s passionate, Central Florida following made sure that the band had all the support they needed to bring their best to the stage that night. Mogwai was the last band that I saw live that brought the same type of sound and, well, a specific type of emotionally driven energy (and I’m in no way trying to compare the two). Post-rock, shoegaze, indie: whatever. It’s just great music that happens to have guitars, bass, drums, and some vocals.

appleseed cast live review

After the show I got to chat with the guys in the band for a few minutes and get this cool pic:

The Appleseed Cast Live Review & Concert Photos

They were just as unassuming and down to earth as their laid-back stage demeanor portrayed. And, while I have no idea when they’ll return to O-town again, I can’t wait until they do.

The Appleseed Cast Live Review by Josh Juaz, edited by Matthew Weller. 

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