Live records? Not really my jam. When browsing for new music, I tend to skip over them. But, when I saw Live In Oakland pop up, featuring a band (The Wind-Ups) and label (Dandy Boy) we’re pretty familiar with over at Add To Wantlist, I pressed play anyway. Plus, I was genuinely curious how The Wind Ups’ basement Tascam recordings would translate on stage.
After listening, perhaps I have to soften my stance on live registrations, because these lo-fi garage punk bursts sound chaotically tight and raw when played by a full live band. Having Jake Sprecher call out the song titles at the start of the songs, and immediately following with a 1-2-3-4 like he’s Joey Ramone is only part of the appeal. It is in Tell Me Again (How Pretty I Am) that everything clicks for me. Already a standout on the most recent Wind-Ups record, the massive pop chorus ignites with even more intensity in this live rendition.
If a successful live recording is one that captures the sheer power and skill of a band while leaving you longing to have been at the show, then Live In Oakland definitely accomplishes that. It is out now on Tape at Dandy Boy Records.
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