PAPA @ Constellation Room, Santa Ana 7/22/13

July 31. 2013 | By Andre Cruz

Ladies and gentlemen, PAPA has officially arrived! The band has been on a relentless tour schedule for the past year, opening for bands like Of Monsters and Men, Grouplove and Matt and Kim. In between these tours PAPA has managed to squeeze in a headline their own tour which made a stop at the Constellation Room in Santa Ana, CA.

The sounds of The Notorious B. I. G.’s “Big Papa,” was playing as the duo appeared as a four piece with touring guitarist and keyboardist. PAPA began with a solid intro while lead singer/drummer Darren Weiss danced around stage, waving around a chain of jingle bells in hand like a wizard would his magic wand. When he took his seat behind his drum kit, which was positioned front and center next to bassist Daniel Presant, they began the night with new song “If You’re My Girl Then I’m Your Man.”

Papa @ Constellation Room, Santa Ana, Ca 7/23/2013
Papa @ Constellation Room, Santa Ana, Ca 7/23/2013

The band commanded every minute of the audience’s attention from the first song to the very last. During the first song, a puddle of stagnant water fell from the ceiling onto those standing center floor. This got the crowd going, drawing many to the waterfall to dance around in the puddle that remained. Without stopping the song, Weiss first responded with “What the fuck?” then saying “I guess we’re getting wet tonight.” At the conclusion of the song Weiss exclaimed, “If you’re my girl then I’m your man. And now that I’m your man, let’s make you pregnant,” which led into “Let’s Make You Pregnant.”

Papa @ Constellation Room, Santa Ana, Ca 7/23/2013
Papa @ Constellation Room, Santa Ana, Ca 7/23/2013
Papa @ Constellation Room, Santa Ana, Ca 7/23/2013

The evenings recipients responded ambitiously by freestyle dancing, not caring who was watching. In the midst of this song, Weiss came from behind his kit to hold up a sign that an eager fan had made. The acknowledgement of fans comments continued throughout their set, even taking off their shirts at the request of a female fan. The songs played off of their previous EP, A Good Woman Is Hard To Find, were played with such excellence, while the new songs had a sound of great accomplishment and growth. Weiss’ soulful voice led this perfect blend of instruments, while Presant’s bass created the grooves for us to move along with.

Papa @ Constellation Room, Santa Ana, Ca 7/23/2013
Papa @ Constellation Room, Santa Ana, Ca 7/23/2013

Amongst the new songs, Weiss announced that these songs would be released on October 8th, on their first full length album Tender Madness. The band’s set also included, “I Am The Lion King,” “Ain’t It So,” “Young Rut,” and “Put Me To Work” amongst many new tunes. They ended their set with “Collector” before coming out to play a cover of Patti Smith’s “Because The Night.” They ended the night on a high note by again playing “Put Me To Work,” which concluded the night in a climactic wave of sound. There is no denying that PAPA could and will appeal to most people. With this perfect formula of sound, they’re on the cusp of being on everyone’s playlist.

Papa @ Constellation Room, Santa Ana, Ca 7/23/2013

Check out more badass photos HERE!

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