Our scenester cup runner over Wednesday night when Hospital Ships and the Appleseed Cast teamed up for a homecoming show at the Replay.
Hospital Ships
The guys from Hospital Ships just got back from a short tour, and something must have lit a fire under their butt during that time because on Wednesday night they played harder than I had ever heard them play before. Even the softer melodies were no match for this new attitude, with frontman Jordan Geiger’s voice no longer delicate and precious, and Nick Stahl banging away ferociously on the drums. The saucy joking around between songs complimented this new abrasiveness onstage.
The band had just arrived home from tour the night before, but they didn’t rest for long. They played to what was nearly a full room of absolutely gorgeous women (with long, flirty locks of hair) at the Replay, some swaying their beer glasses with the music. They were all fairly chatty and excitable, with one of them yelling out “Woo! Sexy music!” after the band played “Galaxies.”
That excitement just about tripled when local indie goddess Katlyn Conroy (also back from a recent tour with Cowboy Indian Bear) joined the band onstage to provide luscious backup vocals. Considering how loud and raucous (albeit fun) the band played, it was nice to have a woman’s touch for the rest of the set.
They ended on a thunderous rendition of their popular, anthem-like song “Reprise.” I can only describe it as a drummer frenzy. There were extra drummers both onstage and in the crowd. It seems like they didn’t stray too far from that fun, boyish and spontaneous spirit.
The Appleseed Cast
Hospital Ships had joined the Appleseed Cast on this most recent tour, so it was a bit of a resounding homecoming for both bands. The venue had finally thickened out and was equal parts excitable men and women. It sure is nice to have the students back in town for moments like this.
Busy beaver guitarist Taylor Holenbeck pulled double duty, playing with both bands. But tonight he soldiered through the added difficulty of a broken keyboard stand, forcing him to use his creative magic and play while sitting on the floor (bravo, Holenbeck).
The crowd snuggled in for a cozy set with the ever popular band, gleefully absorbing their noisy fuzz. Those at the front gazed upon the sea of fancy, blinking pedals. The music felt like a sneak attack on your ears because you didn’t know they’d be ringing at the end of the night until you were walking out of the venue.
Towards the end of the set, I noticed out of the corner of my eye the Kansas flag draped over a speaker. So even though this was one heck of a homecoming for the bands, something tells me they never really forgot their hometown scene (and they never will).
Welcome home, boys.