Finch perform What It Is to Burn at the Gothic Theatre
by Mike Montgomery
photo credit Amanda Presnell
Ten years after the release of their debut album What it is to Burn, Finch are celebrating the anniversary on tour by playing the L.P. from front to back, along with some surprises tossed in.
Fans lined up in front of the Gothic Theater in Denver Tuesday night, eagerly awaiting what the band stated will be their final tour. After openers Reason to Rebel and Dance Gavin Dance completed their sets, the crowd was ready for the headliner.
As the lights went down and smoke engulfed the stage, the crowd roared as the distorted opening notes of “New Beginnings,” (the same opener of the album) began to play. The lights came on, the rest of the band joined in, and the crowd erupted.
Finch’s musical style on WIITB is difficult to define. While the band is labeled as post-hardcore, many of the tracks widely transcend genres. Punk-influenced hits like “Letters to You,” and “Post Script” rang out early in the set. While darker, more emotional songs like “Without You Here,” and “Ender” remind one of musical styles set forth by alt-rock greats like Sunny Day Real Estate, or even The Smashing Pumpkins.
In between songs, the band would experiment with what seemed like improvised jams, each one different than the last. Half way though the set, a progression of what turned into a cover of The Pixies’ “Where is my mind” surfaced; a surprise superbly accepted by the fans.
The band rarely deviated from the music, but towards the end, lead guitarist Randy Strohmeyer (known to fans simply as R2K) took a few moments to thank the audience for all their support.
“This sounds so fucking cliché, but we would not be here today without all of you,” said Strohmeyer. “It’s been one hell of a decade, and there’s nothing we’d rather be doing than standing right here in front of you, playing this album.” Bassist Daniel Wonacott added that even ten years later, he sometimes finds himself popping in a WIITB CD, noting that he can’t help but sing along every time.
The sentimentals soon subsided, and Finch returned for an encore. First playing a cover of ‘90s grunge-band Hum’s song “Stars,” then finally ending with their L.P.’s title track, “What it is to burn.”
As the opening riff echoed out across the packed theatre, the crowd screamed with anticipation. The song crescendoed into its climax with singer Nate Barcalow’s torrid scream: “She Burns!”
Fans sang along to every word, and after the song ended the five members linked arms and gave several bows, thanking the audience for joining them in a memorable night.
No one knows for sure if this tour is it for Finch, but if it is, I think it’s safe to say they ended with a bang.
Category: National News
Subscribe
If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it.
 |
 |
