It’s a Wednesday night. I’ve just left the MEISA meeting, and I’m walking away from Donatos, having introduced one of the board members to Trevor the bar manager.

I’m walking to my car, and for whatever reason I’m really curious whats going on at Bernies. There’s a poster. I see the words “Free Show” and “Australia” and I’m hooked.

I step in from the High Street entrance, down the staircase, into the old familiar Bernies space. Past the flyers, past the counter. There’s no door-guy. I can see Charlie.

I ask him about the band, “That’s them on stage” he says.

I start texting people, sending them pictures of the stage urging them to come down. There’s about ten of us in the room, staff included. While I’m on my phone I realize my stolen laptop has just been located in Grove City. I decide to stay for the show. 

I used to hang out at Bernies a lot, I know most of the staff. I put in an order for a customary PBR. My friend Alia showed up.

They won me over with a Massive Attack cover. Raj, lead singer, was super cool after the show. We did an audio interview I may post later.

What struck me was the number of shows (70) that they’d booked on this US tour. Clearly a very ambitious and driven band. And their stories about cheap rent in Berlin, touring around Europe, getting tips on the relative ease of converting electricity nowadays. All very cool. Makes me want to check out pad prices in Berlin. 

The crowd was at times 3 deep, at times as large as 15. People meandered in and out all night. There was no opener, no closer, no local support. I’m not sure there was a local promoter.  It didn’t seem to matter. They still played, with good attitudes, and immense skill and precision. 

You could tell they really wanted to win the crowd over, and in many ways, they did. If you signed up for their mailing list, you’d get access to free downloads of their latest album.

A four piece, an insane lead guitarist, awesome drummer and bass player (completely locked in) and wailing singer. They played like a band that knew the songs inside and out. Raj later told me they typically busk while living in Berlin to pay the bills.

Again, it was rock and roll. At times the guitarist would wail, at times the singer would wail. The bassist and drummer provided a sturdy backbone for every song. Sometimes jazzy and bluesy, other times stadium rock, always entertaining and always high energy.

Follow The Sunpilots here:
https://thesunpilots.com

They’re currently amid a US tour, playing Howard’s in Bowling Green tonight.