The Dreaming at Whisky A Go Go on November 2, 2011.
At a packed Whisky A Go Go, The Dreaming celebrated a work almost four years in the making, their second full length album, Puppet, by throwing a cd release party/concert. Playing to a typical blase Hollywood crowd on a Wednesday night, Christopher Hall and company blazed through a plentiful helping of tracks from Puppet while throwing in songs from their debut album, Etched In Blood, plus a couple of cover tunes from Depeche Mode and Hall’s previous band, Stabbing Westward.
What separates The Dreaming from most bands is the translation of their songs on cd as opposed to live. Lyrically, the band tackles many inner demons, mostly about love lost and the conflict between outright hate for the situation and the beckoning of the heart to repair the damage, and on cd, you are drawn into their angst. Live, such as tonight’s performance, everything Hall and fellow bandmates Johnny Haro, Eric Griffin, Carlton Bost and Nick Quijano performed took on a rousing, almost anthemic, ear bursting, scream ’til your throat gives out, shock to the system. Making their performance special, Christopher Hall seems much more comfortable with the pounding amalgamation of hard rock and new wave that dominates their material from Puppet than he was with material from their debut disc. Even a crowd as jaded as one in Hollywood couldn’t resist chanting and fist pumping to Every Trace.
Something else that is seemingly unique to The Dreaming is their ability to be engaging and utterly friendly with each other and the crowd while tackling sensitive and dark material. Whether it be the heartbreak of There Will Be Blood or the pity of Solo Crucifixion, Haro on drums is twirling his sticks and smiling at familiar faces, and Hall is busy laughing with his mates as they get tangled in cords. The songs may be painful, but as you watch them perform, you can’t help but be drawn in by the boundless energy they put into each song.
The Dreaming will be embarking on a U.S. tour beginning in December. This will be a great opportunity to experience the struggle between the prodding examination of heartache and the complete inability to walk away from their show feeling anything but exuberant.
Listen to the new album here:
http://www.revolvermag.com/news/exclusive-listen-to-the-dreamings-puppet-in-its-entirety.html
Photos By Lan Nguyen
2 comments
Karen Mandall says:
Nov 4, 2011
Great band and great write up Rob! Love your photos Lan! Everyone go buy Puppet from The Dreaming and get on board
Heidi says:
Nov 4, 2011
Great review for a incredible band. I think you really explained what a live show is like with them. You feel the emotion that Christopher’s lyrics address in his voice. (I’ve even been brought to tears at a show, my own demons of course) That powerful voice backed up by such talented musicians makes for a great live show. They have fun on stage and are really fun guys if you get the chance to meet them. You can’t help but get caught up in that energy and have a good time as well. Puppet is an awesome album leaving Etched In Blood in the dust. Go out and buy it asap, you wont be disappointed!