"We are Piebald and this is where we came from," yelled vocalist, guitarist and pianist Travis Shettel as the band made its way onto the plywood stage covered with a Persian rug.
The boys of Piebald have come home to Massachusetts, (via their vegetable-oil-fueled van) for its Accidental Gentleman record release party upstairs at the Middle East, a space usually reserved for lesser-known bands.
"They will be more parties than shows [during their week of home-town concerts] because it is celebration time," Shettel stated on the band's website. "I hope that it is like a sporting event and I am like a coach that gets the Gatorade dumped on him because we won the title."
Piebald's set was a balanced mix of older songs ("If Marcus Garvey Dies, Then Marcus Garvey Lives," "The Monkey Versus the Robot," "American Hearts") and new material. Piano-driven sound, surly rhythm section and upbeat guitars made for energetic dance rock. The audience bobbed and raised their fists without slowing down for a single breather.
Piebald's latest additions follow their usual formula: scattered wry jokes that fashion humorous love ballads. New songs such as "Oh, the Congestion" and "Getting Mugged & Loving It" showcased Piebald's peppiness, though they failed to get the same energetic reaction as the older classics.
The highlight of the show was the encore, when the band returned to the stage and agreed to the audience's unanimous request for "Grace Kelly With Wings." Instantly, the crowd became a mosh-pit; with a limited capacity in the upstairs venue, it was obvious those in attendance were dedicated fans as the room escalated into a frenzy.
No one left the Middle East soaked in Gatorade, but Piebald definitely scored and won the title.
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