Since saying goodbye to the Soapbox, Wilmington has be lacking in Heavy Metal and Hardcore shows due to the absence of a venue. What blows my mind is that what was once The Junction Pub, is now a decent venue. Yes, you locals who grew up here know what I mean. They completely revamped the interior, tearing down walls, heightening the ceiling, adding more pool tables and couches. Whoever is responsible for this change really stepped it up a notch because the stage looks great and the vibe is completely different there now. No longer is it a spot where 5 drunk red necks sit around the bar, mumbling until last call. The smartest thing going on here is the talent that is being booked. Quality talent brings a similar audience, making this venue the newest place in Wilmington to catch some decent shows. The night I went to check it out Open Wire, Susan Aquila, Fates Embrace, and Colton Leighton played with Tantric headlining.
My date introduced me to the guys of Open Wire and wrote a review that I'll post it below.
Not only did my date introduce me to the guys of Open Wire, he took me to one of their band meetings where I got to drink beers and hang out with them. They were so cool that when I asked if someone would teach me some things on drums, Phillip their drummer, who works as a drum instructor during the day, immediately offered to show me the basics. I sucked I think, I'm not sure I was like 4 beers deep. A break in between beers and mock sets gave me a behind the scenes experience as I sat in for their meeting. It reminded me of Sons of Anarchy with a long table set in the middle of the garage and all the guys around it in leather and jeans. As I listened to them talk about music, I realized they weren't just bullshitting about upcoming shows, but they were planning for their futures. I really think that's what sets a band apart from others- taking it seriously and living for it. If every show you play and every song you produce isn't a step ahead in your career pathway, you don't have enough faith in yourself. The guys of Open Wire have goals, they have a plan, and they have the confidence to make it in the industry.
My dates review:
Open Wire: A Band’s
Band
Written by: Tripp Allen
First and foremost, rock music is not for everyone. There’s
a certain mentality that comes along with listening to such tunes, much less,
being a part of the rollercoaster that is a live show. The music is loud, the
venues are usually not places you would find a church-going crowd and the smell
of stale beer and cigarette smoke is always lingering in the air. Thus was the
case of this particular gathering and it did not disappoint. This venue was a
local dive bar of sorts that I had never heard of. The crowd ranged anywhere
from comic-con types sporting turtle shell backpacks to big tit biker chicks
and frat dudes in polo button downs. It was the kind of crowd you would expect
to see anywhere with live music. However, unlike the rest of the mob, I was
there to see one band and one band only, local up and coming metal group Open
Wire. This would mark the first time I had heard them perform outside of computer
speakers and it was one hell of a time.
I first heard of Open
Wire through the grape vine of the local music scene. Upon catching wind that
they were playing a live show in my neck of the woods, I was eager to attend. The
next Tuesday, I showed up to the venue Cardinal Bands & Billiards. The
place reminded me of a pit stop you would take on a road trip to grab a beer.
It was not The Ritz by any means, but who the fuck wants to hang out in swanky
joints like that. I was ready for a face-melting rock show, which is exactly
what I got. The dimly lit bar had a laid back atmosphere and smelled of alcohol
fumes and maple syrup, thanks to the E-cig smoking cowboy a few tables back.
The venue had a good sound as well as reasonably priced drinks and some nice
pool tables that made it an enjoyable place to catch some live music. From what
I could tell, Cardinal Bands & Billiards has established themselves well
for such events.
The
headliner of the night was Tantric, a widely popular band that has certainly
staked their claim in the music world and would not settle for just any
openers. The first two acts were nothing to write home about. Sure, they were
plenty entertaining if not even ITunes purchase worthy at times, but they were
not the ear-bleed I had expected. A few sets later and a couple beers deep,
Open Wire came to the stage, but not before scribbling their set list on a bar
tab receipt—apparently a tradition of sorts for them that struck me as a cool
touch. At this point, the crowd was the biggest it had been all night and the
band did not let them sleep. The lead singers first order of business was to
demand into the mic that everyone grab a drink and step to the front, which we
all did. The band consists of four guys: Matt Thies, the lead singer, Eric
Leray on bass, Dan Wuensch on guitar and Phil Milligan on drums. Right away it
was apparent that these were the kind of guys you could hang out with, they
carried an energy that is necessary for such a performance and ran with it. Before
the music even started, the stage was set up for a good time. The drum kit was
one of the most extravagant I had ever seen, consisting of enough equipment for
a one-man show, it even donned the band name across the front which was a nice
and professional touch. All other equipment was wireless and sleek, which added
to the spectacle. It was obvious that these guys had done this before and were
not fucking around. After Matt, the long-haired, leather jacket sporting front
man, introduced the band and gave his opening speech, they kicked off their
first track with what can only be described as a “hell yeah” start. Right away
I knew this band had heart, all of them could hang and knew exactly what they
were trying to accomplish. The tunes were a welcome beat that everyone could
bob their heads to. Even if rock is not your scene, there is a spark in their
sound that anyone can vibe with. They had a remarkable stage presence that
ranged anywhere from synchronized headbanging to acrobatic backbends that all
felt very natural and synched up perfectly with whatever tune was being played
at the time. This band was obviously having a great time, which resonated with the
crowd; even the bartenders began to jam out in between servings.
The music held true the
entire set, reminding me of the soundtrack to an action movie of sorts and not the
shitty Michael Bay kind. It was the type of sound that I picture hearing if a
fight were to break out or if someone were walking slow-motion through a
crowded club ready to whoop some ass. The lead singer’s voice and the band as a
whole reminded me of equal parts Pantera and Danzig combined with their own
unique spin on the kind of music that anyone attending a show such as this has
come to know and love. About half way
through the set, I began to notice each individual’s stage presence and how it
added to the show. During an Open Wire performance, one would be doing
themselves a disservice to not observe each member showcase their own unique
persona. Whether it be Phil and his well-timed drumstick spin in-between beats,
which is a damn fine drumming signature, or Matt and his erratic use of the
stage space, which ranged anywhere from dancing on the speakers to swinging
from the rafters, one thing is for sure, this band knows how to put on a show.
It is quite difficult, however, to take note of each individual during the set
simply because they are so god damn entertaining to watch as a whole.
Either
way you slice it, Open Wire is the type of band that’s members play for the love
of music, rather than some fame-oriented agenda. It is the type of rock that
would be almost impossible for a music lover to listen to without a beer in
hand. These four guys look the part, sound the part and have an originality to
them that is a refreshing change of pace from the typical bullshit. I mean
hell, they were all even moshing in the crowd after their set while the rest of
the bands played. True and loyal metal heads. Open Wire is an ambitious band on
the rise quickly making a name for themselves in the established and
ever-expanding music scene of both Wilmington and North Carolina as a whole.
Their debut album, Naked Dreams, is currently available for free download on
Reverbnation and is highly recommended for anyone interested in some fresh
sounds. Don’t be surprised if you start hearing the name Open Wire with more frequency
in the near future, as they are a group to look out for. Open Wire, a true
band’s band.
