Two Humans + Friends Pulaski Club New Britain Saturday, July 5, 2014 Reviewed

Two Humans (RIP)

Two Humans’ last show was a gig to remember.  Six bands total, CTers from all around the state flocked down to the Pulaski to pay homage to the guys who’ve made us all think that maybe our state isn’t too lame.  Though incredibly bittersweet, there was too much good going on for it to have been anything less than the best night of the summer.

Will Pratt opened up the show, a singer songwriter whose incredible guitar ability and moving voice had us start the evening slowly but passionately.  I was captivated by him, and wish I’d listened to him more beforehand.  He’s got a lovely voice, strong and powerful.  Every aspect of his music deeply appealed to me, and I’m not the biggest fan of guy-and-his-guitar stuff.  I was genuinely impressed.

Pupppy was up next (yes, they’ve got an extra ‘p’), and they were a group I’d heard nothing but good about, but never truly had the chance to sit down and listen.  However, this quartet had a complexity to their sound that I loved.  The bassist was phenomenal, and the electric acoustic and electric guitars worked so well together, especially with the vocals.  The drummer held it all together, keeping things moving and pulsing along.  All in all, their set was tight and well put together, and I really enjoyed it.

Cactus Arms, a really heavy trio, was next and by far the odd man out of the lineup.  They’re really *really* hard, with loud punky screamy vocals, fast bass, and the drummer beat the kit like he was mad at it.  But- it worked.  Apparently they had broken up and still technically are, but played the show as a request for a friend who had passed.  Their energy was intense, and everyone in the room was a bit taken aback, but pleasantly surprised with the change of pace.

Pinegrove followed, NJ natives whose fascinating hooks and flawless musicianship are just some of the praises sung to the heavens of various social media platforms.  I’d heard so much good about them, and was finally seeing them live.  Their versatility was great, covering a lot of aspects of the genre and in some songs, including a female vocalist.  They were catchy and fun and clearly living the dream.

Tawny Peaks (RIP also) played their last show.  It was both the first and last time I saw them, which was a bummer because I really really love them.  However, I couldn’t have asked for a sweeter farewell.  The guys have a serious following both in their home state of NJ and throughout the country, thanks to the Internet.  They deserve all their recognition because they’re one of the most unique and wonderful bands in the scene, and I’m glad that they both met and exceeded my expectations.

Two Humans closed the night, with their last show ever.  I can’t even express how heartbroken I felt.  While setting up their equipment, Taylor Swift’s “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” played, a silly but gut wrenching reminder that our fav CT heroes were really over.  Jason Rule, frontman, shirtless with a guitar strapped onto his body like an extension of himself, stepped up to the mic to start the end of the band he didn’t go to college for.  Kevin O’Donnell, bassist extraordinaire, was smiling the whole time and it was so sweet to look over to him and see him really enjoying himself.  Lucas, the drummer, gave it his all and I was really impressed, as always, with his musicianship.  The trio played to a crowd that was spilling over each other and crowd surfing and dancing all around.  It was truly and utterly crazy.  It was our last chance to go hard at a Two Humans show, and dammit we did.

What was a show putting two bands to rest ended up being the greatest show of the summer, and a fantastic way to say goodbye.