During a dynamic set at the Studio at Webster Hall on Friday night, Sunday Masquerade claimed the space between psychedelic rock of the 1960s and punk rock of the 1970s: a form of pubrock without the blues.
For a half hour, lead singer Angie Ledesma growled simple declarative lyric while her rhythm section kept it nice and tight. Swift kick selling points abounded, "I want you, you want me" goes one chorus, "Whats' wrong with you? inquires another. These hard nose proclamations are interrupted by smart, simple guitar jams.
We haven't heard a sound like Sunday Masquerades in too long, they fall out of time entirely. Opening a four band evening, they are nothing like what is to follow. They aren't cool, they are hot, they aren't experimental, or noisy, or arty: they are straight up, honest roar of rock and roll stuff. Liu flip flops; as likely to play rhythm notes lockstep with Angie, as hold anchor, and drummer Andre is steadfast and hard as fuck.
But it is Angie who keeps on drawing the eye, a strong, sexy presence on the mic who constantly seems set on powerdriving the band with a beautiful sustained momentum. In black leggings and a stripped tee, Angie is a mess of jet black hair that falls over her face, and a tough gal but not too tough gal personae she wields her axe well, a child of Chrissie Hynde, and keeps it straightforward and accessible.
Angie also has an easy rapport with her well oiled band and they seem capable of following and leading her anywhere, Her rapport with the audience is less easy, and Angie is a touch too introverted, though I might be mistaking a certain taking care of business intensity for shyness, Liu is friendlier and has a great smile which he flashes all the time.
There was also a misstep in the set, a reggae number is a slower sizzle but misplaced as the penultimate song of the night. Also, I advise the band to work on a couple of two minute rockers just to change gears and the set faster from time to time.
But that's just me being a critic. Really, this is a perfect rock machine, a clean, clear, power rock band with jams on the right side of hubris. Sunday Masquerade are currently in the studio working on their first album. If they can capture their live sound, it will be well worth hearing.
Grade: B+