COVERAGE

The Aquarium is the New Brunswick haven for math rock, which has hosted shows featuring local bands like Neur, Sara, and Captive. Monday night, Algernon Cadwallader of Philadelphia was added to the mix.

Even Cap’n Jazz can be heard playing between sets at Aquarium shows, and any fans of Cap’n Jazz can detect their heavy influence in Algernon Cadwallader’s music. Peter Helmis confirmed this in a Punknews interview, also citing Braid and the Beatles as influences.

The most unity I think I’ve ever seen at a basement show was during the first notes of “Some Kind of Cadwallader” when everyone threw themselves forward in a pyramid towards the microphone, their arms and fists stretched out in front of them.

Bandname also played as part of the Philly Away Team at this New Brunswick show, with a style coincidentally not much different to Algernon Cadwallader. Though they do have more of the punk affectation as opposed to the (for lack of a less ambiguous term) indie feel that Algernon brings to the table.

Neur,  Aquarium regulars, banged out an awesome set to open the show. If they weren’t always the ”band that played first” then I think they’d be a little more appreciated by the New Brunswick underground community. Either that, or people really need to start showing up on time for shows because Neur is a real gem. Not only are the guitar riffs explosive, but they’ve got a fucking light show going on along with it. That is a way to play a show.

Coping from Chicago stopped by on their spring tour. Classified as ”Midwest Emo” on their Facebook page, Coping fit in nicely with indie/experimental/punk/math rock lineup. After this, they’ll be headed to New York and Boston, then back to Chicago on the 23rd. Cool dudes, cool tunes.

It’s amazing how quickly a basement can clear out after the last band’s done. It’s a shame a majority of the crowd had to miss some spoken word by Pedro Angel Serrano, who shared some “can’t make this shit up” stories with us.

I think the shows at the Aquarium bring some nuance to the scene. I always see fresh faces, and among the music played there are always a few acts that will tickle my eardrums. Some houses can get monotonous, but not this one. Go to more shows at the Aquarium. And go listen to Neur. NOW.