moving mountains performing “lights and shapes” in houston, tx

so i’ve basically been in love with pneuma since late 2007 and foreword was my favorite EP of 2008. so to say i was excited about seeing a band that’s yet to step foot in texas was an understatement. moving mountains, accompanied by all day holiday set up a show a few weeks ago, and there was little chance of me missing it.

hit the jump for the review, more videos and a setlist.

-moving grizzlies

all the day holiday performing “cheers” in houston, tx

i showed up late and arrived just in time for all the day holiday’s set. i’ve heard a couple of songs by these guys, but they most definitely got buried in the pile of all the new shit that’s come out this year. after seeing them live, i’m completely sold. their live show was on point.

all the day holiday performing “the things we’ve grown to love” in houston, tx

as you’ll see from the video, one of the coolest things about their set was that their drummer (whose profile strangely reminded me of michael cera) was set-up in the front of the stage. being as close as i was, i was able to see a drummer from behind (*insert homoeroticism here*), so that was really cool. after seeing the show, i listened to their album, all the things we’ve grown to love in it’s entirety, and i definitely am kicking myself for not getting into these guys sooner.

there was good news, though. the band is going on tour with lydia, who is stopping by the same venue sometime in mid-september. i got the chance to talk to the lead singer (daniel) after the show, and we exchanged information. so look forward to an interview in the least, maybe even a spotlight.

all the day holiday on myspace.

all the day holiday – cheers (you still love me)

moving mountains performing “ode we will bury ourselves” in houston, tx

next up was moving mountains. when they were setting up, i saw two hollowed-out amps that became stage props; giant beaming lights (you’ll see in the video.) like i said before, pneuma and foreword are still in constant rotation for me, and i had heard good things from northerners who were lucky enough to see this band beforehand.

considering they’re such a young band, it’s bewildering to see a group of guys give such a huge shit about putting on a performance. judging by the lights, along with the overall tonality of their music, they were really into the aesthetics of their production, especially after the band asked the house crew to turn off all the lights so that their giant light-amps would be the only source of light in the entire venue.

well, to their dismay, the sound guy had absolutely no clue what the fuck he was doing, and guitarist/singer gregory dunn was getting pissed. i mean, the band had to start “armslength” about five times, and i’m pretty sure that ended up having to axe off a song from the setlist. despite the obstacles, mov mou did what they could and completely tore the stage up in their 35 minute set. i really can’t wait to hear what the dudes have cooking up for their next release. no more gushing, though.

and hey, remember our spotlight?

i’ll end the review on a quote from gregory dunn.

“so when you write your review, you better say we’re the best band ever or something hyperbolic.”
-g. dunn

moving mountains on myspace.

moving mountains – with one’s heart in one’s mouth

moving mountains setlist:

armslength
lights and shapes
ode we will bury ourselves
cover the roots, lower the stems
with one’s heart in one’s mouth

-grizzly

note: going to the incubus show on friday and the lil wayne show on saturday (don’t judge me, i bought the tickets for my girl.) reviews to follow shortly.