Children Collide

As our car winds over the hills of rt. 3, New York City’s Skyline emerges from the fog.  The day is humid and dreary, due to the effects of tropical storm Nicole, rain is looming.  My anxiety about the approaching weather is only combated by my excitement for a night out to see some music.  Getting into the city is easy enough, construction and the usual volume haunt our commute, but it’s nothing to get angry about.  Easily finding parking, we stride down Houston Street towards Bowery, making a quick pit stop at Ray’s pizzeria for a famous slice and the ATM for some loot.  Making a right on Ludlow, our final destination is in sight; Pianos, to see the up and coming Aussie band, Children Collide.

The trio from down under was recommended to me by a friend who also hails from Kangaroo country, who accompanied me on the endeavor.  Their sound is distinctly Australian punkish-indie rock, a breath of fresh air in a sea of mediocre talent washing up on the shores of the great Island of Manhattan.  In for only one night before heading back home, the band is showcasing throughout the states to further their climb to stardom.  Children Collide have played at giant venues such as Big Day Out in Australia and the legendary South by Southwest in Austin, Texas.  Pianos is a small space for them, but you can’t beat experiencing a new band in a tiny NYC bar.

The band is obviously Aussie; it is tough to nail down exactly what the difference is, maybe it’s the attitude, or how they walk, or the slightly different apparel.  Either way these guys tear it up on stage and that…is universal.  The drummer Ryan, is a massive person and a skilled drummer, he was sporting some gelled down hair from the likes of John Travolta in grease.  The bassist had the whole curly fro thing going on, with some skinny Jeans and pointed boots.  Heath appears to be the character in the group.  Finally, Johnny the lead singer, had the whole understated rocker thing going on, long hair in his face looking all Kobain-esq.

Opening with my favorite song from the newest album Theory of Everything, the band unleashed  Jelly Legs on the unknowing crowd.   It starts with a tri-fold groove which explodes into a punk rock chorus.  From there, the show was short, but entertaining.  After a song or two, we were informed that American Airlines had very kindly lost all of their equipment.  All three members were using borrowed gear, and Johnny was sporting a guitar he had bought down the street a few hours before.  Regardless of the hang-ups, the gig was successful, although the crowd was expectedly small, there was no doubt that all were satisfied with the show.  My only wish is to see them at a bigger venue for longer.

Breaking into the U.S. scene is very difficult, but if there is any one band that is my favorite to make it here, its Children Collide.  With witty lyrics, a good sense of punk rock mixed with unique guitar sounds, I wouldn’t be surprised to hear these guys on the radio when their next studio album drops, it only takes one song to get famous.  Seeing them at Pianos is something that I will hopefully be able to brag about.  I will be that guy who always says, “I soooo knew about them before everyone liked them.”  Walking back to the car through the Bowery area, all the clubs are rocking with live music, the streets are alive with early weekenders hoping to jumpstart into Friday and bands trying to make it big.  I guess it is true, “if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere.”

Anyway, the band is great, both studio albums are stellar and definitely worth a listen.  Be sure to check them out the next time they visit us stateside.