Concert Review/Photos: Strand of Oaks @ Union Transfer
Please note: This article is published as an archive copy from Philadelphia City Paper. My City Paper is not affiliated with Philadelphia City Paper. Philadelphia City Paper was an alternative weekly newspaper in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The last edition was published on October 8, 2015.
This year was all about watching established musicians transcend their pasts for an even more exciting present.
[ 12/3 ] This year was all about watching established musicians transcend their pasts for an even more exciting present: Lydia Loveless, Hurray for the Riff Raff, Shovels & Rope… There are many others.
The one that towers above the rest is Strand of Oaks. Timothy Showalter’s tale of rising out of the muck of the past on HEAL is certainly one of the year’s finest. And his current Philly zip code makes every local show special. Their largest Philadelphia show of the year (the fourth time I caught them in 2014) at Union Transfer last Wednesday. With his passion, his lion’s mane and beard and his showmanship, Showalter and his band commanded the stage like they were always meant to be there.
“Goshen ’97.” “JR.” “Shut In.” These songs span such a wide expanse of musical interests and abilities. To hear Showalter and company — bassist Deven Craige, keyboard player and harmony singer Eliza Hardy Jones and drummer Michael Sneeringer — make songs like “Goshen ’97” feel like the audience has sung along to it for years while also jamming extensively in the confines of “JR” (with guest lap steel player Mike “Slo-Mo” Brenner) is to hear rock at its summit of possibilities, where any sound and emotion can be mixed to order. And the covers of Ryan Adams’ “My Wrecking Ball” and The Replacements’ “Alex Chilton” fit into set perfectly, calling attention to influences and how well Strand of Oaks fits into the canon of top shelf rock ’n’ roll.
Gushing with praise for the city, its occupants, local radio and most especially the fans, Showalter has a lot of love to give. So when the show concluded with “For Me” he jumped into the crowd and hugged anyone who was willing. Genuine, raw and determined, Strand of Oaks will undoubtedly branch out further and further into musical glory 2015 and beyond.
The night began with the one-woman powerhouse of Mackenzie Scott, aka Torres. With just a guitar and minimal lighting, she crafted heartfelt rock out of complex emotions like jealousy (“Jealousy and I”). With 2013’s self-titled debut still scoring critical attention, she is sure to win over many more ears and souls.
