This is the second entry in this week’s Three Stars local music roundup. Click here to read yesterday’s piece on Death By Sexy, and be sure to check back tomorrow for our take on Full Minute of Mercury. Today, Amanda Mattos discusses Barakus.
Barakus
If we weren’t sure we were seeing a local band, it only took one sweeping glance at the audience to identify it as such. Rather than throngs of hipsters peddling for the front row, there was an all-ages audience, who all seemed to know each other and be happy to pass hugs around. From floral skirts to Hawaiian shirts, the fashion sense of the audience seemed more fresh-from-a-family-dinner than ready-to-rock. But every band has to start this way. Moms, girlfriends, and Bob from the next cubicle will be there to support as the rest of the crowd filters in.
Barakus, a four piece brought together by an ad in the City Paper in 2002, took the stage and started in with their set. Barakus isn’t punk or indie or blues or folk rock. The foremost thought going through this DCist’s mind was, “This feels like 1994.” Yes, the 90s. Much like VH1, we love the 90s. Barakus, clearly, also loves the 90s. And there’s nothing wrong with that. Loud, layered and practiced instrumentals, and big, soulful – if at some points overly dramatic – vocals were prevalent in each of their songs. Lead singer Code wore his sunglasses, only removing them to make eye contact with the bartender for a new pitcher.
Even when they seemed a little too aware of themselves, Barakus’ music kept the collective heads bobbing and toes tapping. The drummer, Michael Galante, is the standout musician in the bunch, Berklee-trained and the lynchpin that brings them together. Code reeled in the audience’s attention with some lead singer swagger. Guitarist Matthew Manos’ kinetic relationship to the music they play gave him a Vedder-esque stage presence. All in all, it was a good show by a solid band that would be selling like hot cakes if flannel were back in style. Which anyone who’s walked by the window at Urban Outfitters can tell you is coming.
