Written by DCist Contributor Matthew Siblo
In a year when the District’s summertime rituals were routinely threatened, the mere presence, however abbreviated, of the Fort Reno summer concert series was comfort in and of itself. As the series’ truncated six week calendar came to an all too abrupt finish on Thursday, it did so on an appropriately gorgeous evening with the eclectic pairing of The Grendel Babies, Casper Bangs, and Title Tracks.
The Grendel Babies started the evening on a theatrical note. Self-described as “Vau de Chambre” (that’s an amalgam of Vaudeville and Chamber for those keeping score at home), the duo was dressed to impress, decked out in all-white May Day-esque outfits. Their sound could be lulling and serene, but the group’s downbeat arrangements maintained a consistent sense of tension throughout its brief set. Depending on your temperament, a cover of Ursula’s “Poor Unfortunate Souls” from The Little Mermaid soundtrack was the ultimate clincher or deal breaker.
The evening’s most pleasant surprise came from Casper Bangs, a new project from Rob Pierangeli, formerly of local faves The Hard Tomorrows. With feet firmly planted in a reverb heavy, distinctly British sensibility, the band’s songs were remarkably well-structured, ethereal indie rock tunes that perfectly offset the tranquil surroundings. Considering the band is still in its infancy, having only played its first show in May, I’d expect Casper Bangs to rise through the local ranks fairly quickly.
Title Tracks was this season’s lone connection to Fort Reno’s fabled, angular lineage. Since its inception last year, John Davis’ new project has made its presence known around town sharing bills with outfits ranging from The Budos Band to a recent slot supporting whatever passes as The Lemonheads these days. Having caught them only a few months ago with Cymbals Eat Guitars, Title Tracks continues to refine its sound even if it’s only a few sonic shades away from the more saccharine-tinged pop of Georgie James. Banter has never been a strong suit of Davis’s, and the band’s business like presence on Thursday was a peculiar match to the throngs of teens eager to dance in front of the stage. Title Track’s exceptional debut single, if not yet its live show, makes a convincing case against the exaggerated rumors of the city’s musical demise.
The beauty of Fort Reno has always been the unceremonious sense of community built around it. With a quick thank you to the venue’s volunteers, another year drew to a close. And then, presumably, it was back to work on next year.
