LIVE REVIEW: Sea Wolf @ The Constellation Room, Santa Ana 7/12/12
Sea Wolf has always been generous when it comes to touring, and in May, 2010, a tearful goodbye (ok, maybe just tearful on our end) marked the beginning of a very long, 2 year hiatus that allowed for the creation of their 3rd studio LP.
The anticipation was palpable in The Constellation Room as Geographer took the stage. Before, we go on about Sea Wolf and their new songs and new line up and old guitar strings, let us just say that Geographer are a trio of outstanding performers. Even with technical difficulties, they played with a deep energy; the kind that can only come from talented artists who have used their heart to find their way around their instruments. They’re cohesive and each instrument concedes nicely with the electro sounds and vice versa. We bow down to the mind that put these two acts together on one bill.
Basking in the afterglow of Geographer, we watched as one by one, each Sea Wolf member made an appearance on stage. We first see drummer Joey Ficken; then keyboardist, Lisa Federlander; then come the whispers about the cute preggers girl who turns out to be a new cellist; then new guitar player Zac Rae; cheers from the crowd when frontman Alex Brown Church steps onto the stage, and finally veteran Sea Wolf bassist Ted Liscinski.
With everyone on stage, they commence with a respectable shuffle of the band’s first two albums. Church may be a bit rusty after 2 years away from live performances and the new line-up as a whole may not have had much time to coagulate. Backing vocals and lead vocals were not as smooth together as we’re used to, lyrics were boggled by both Church and Rae, and the set was afflicted with feedback and other sound issues, but this Owl still gives this show 3 thumbs up (can we borrow a thumb?) and we’ll tell you why.
There are moments in life when one look says it all or one touch heals your pain. Those are the moments that define you. This set was rich with defining moments.
Federlander’s familiar, sultry poise behind the keyboards, Church’s sheepish admission to playing on year old guitar strings, the romantic performance of “The Rose Captain” that compelled couples to cuddle, the exquisite performances of two spectacular new songs (lineup newcomers seemed visibly more comfortable with these songs), the frequent exchange of smiles among bandmates…do you have another hour so we can continue this list?
Their message reached a keen audience. They’re back and chances are, we haven’t seen nothin’ yet…as confirmed by a sleeker, warmer performance on Friday night in LA — welcome back, Sea Wolf!
Set List
The Traitor
Winter Windows
Dew In The Grass
Black Leaf Falls
White Water White Bloom
Miracle Cure
Middle Distance Runner
Rose Captain
Old Friend
Turn The Dirt Over
Wicked Blood
Black Dirt
Encore
Orion and Dog
You’re A Wolf
Check out more pictures of Sea Wolf at the Constellation Room here.