'This is a special show’ said Derek Jordan on Tuesday night at the Roxy, ‘Because it is our first show.’ Really? I thought they all seemed totally at ease on stage for a first performance.
Decoded, a young four-piece band, brought their power pop-rock songs to the legendary Roxy, with Derek Jordan’s strong and bright vocals, over uplifting melodies. At times, they sounded quite classic rock, so that when they played the Vaselines Molly’s Lips’ (made famous by Nirvana), the song didn’t sound out of place at all. And since it was just one day after Kurt Cobain’s 45th birthday, it was a nice touch.
With layered guitars and bass, a pounding drumming, some catchy choruses, and a few guitar solos in the mix, they played an 8-song set, even managing to slip another cover, Superdrag’s hit ‘Sucked out’, which once again was totally matching their sound.
But if it were their first show, Derek Jordan is certainly not new to the scene, reading from his bio, he began playing in bars in Pittsburgh, PA at the tender age of 15, which can explain his ease on stage. Since his move to Los Angeles, he has released independently his first solo album ‘Identity’ in 2008, another ‘Humanist’ EP in 2010, as well as other more recent projects, but I believe that Decoded is his latest baby. This demonstrates how determined he is at pursuing his musical dream, which eventually paid, as two of his songs from his first album were even on the 2010 Official Grammy Ballot for two categories: Best Male Solo Rock Performance and Best Rock Song!
As the prolific songwriter he is, on Tuesday night he announced a new song called ‘You Don't Love Me (Like I Do)’, which had that Nirvana-ish guitar intro. If some of their songs may have had a poppier sound, than let’s say, the music of Clapton or Led Zeppelin, which are reported as early influences, Decoded may as well have declared that the Foo Fighters were an inspiration. I even think that the catchy power-pop chorus of one of their last songs, ‘Open Season’ may make you pop in a few old Weezer’s tunes:
Setlist
Lost No More
Imperfect for Each Other
Final Say
Molly's Lips (Vaselines cover)
You Don't Love Me (Like I Do),
Sucked Out (Superdrag cover)
Open Season,
I Really Hate You.