In the Whale–Hi Dive Review

Jenn Cohen | June 2, 2013 | 0 Comments

by Tim Wenger

In the words of their own drummer, Eric Riley, “Not many other bands in Denver can bring the energy like we do.” In the Whale proved that statement to be true at the Hi-Dive on May 31. It was made inherently obvious, as if it wasn’t before, that this dynamic duo is making their mark on the Denver music scene, because I found myself singing along to a handful of their songs as if I knew them like I know my own, but I’ve never owned a single recording by the band, and have only seen them a few times—clearly they are driving their sound in from all angles, local radio included.

Throughout their extended set, which included sardine-can like explosions of the crowd (picture a lake full of sitting frogs simultaneously leaping into the air) during their single “Girlfriend,” In the Whale made it almost impossible to believe that only two people were making that much of a scene up on the stage. The packed house at the Hi-Dive let loose song after song, spilling beer after beer, as they moved in sync with the music of one of the Mile High City’s ground-breaking bands. Their energy level is what makes an In the Whale show worth catching–two tall, lanky dudes up there making full use of a stage that could fit a band five times their size, throwing out tunes more catchy than anything on the radio, all right here in our hometown.

Also more than notable was the performance by the Yawpers. We’ve been playing their songs on Music Buzz LIVE Radio and have had Nate Cook in studio twice, but this was the first time I’ve been able to catch their full set, and it blew my mind. The raw talent of the three guys in the band exceeds any other group I’ve seen come out of the front range, making it very evident why they have ascended the local musical ranks so quickly and been able to push their music outside of Colorado.