Ground Control Going Out With A Splash
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Fireworks, The Swellers,
Man Overboard, Transit
September 11, 2010
Review by Emily Bloch
Photos by Ace Noguera
On September 11th, six bands joined together to bid farewell to the West Palm Beach club Ground Control.
Transit, the third band to go on, was the first to draw a noticeable crowd. An entrancing intro and exchange of hellos lead into the song "Stay Home." Watching Transit interact with their crowd is like watching a boxing match; lead singer Joe Boynton and his fans spiritedly traded turns singing. The band's tour has been in promotion for their latest release, Keep This To Yourself.
While setting up, Man Overboard guitarist and vocalist Zac Eisenstein spent several minutes screaming angrily and strumming his guitar violently before sheepishly asking his soundman, “if you could make it as loud as possible? That’d be cool.” Once the action started, the band's new keyboard player and vocalist pounded out futuristic effects on the keyboard and swung his hips throughout the set. The turning point of the show was during their song “The Real You.” It seems like everything really clicked from that point. Man Overboard closed with the ultimate campfire sing-a-long, "Love Your Friends, Die Laughing."
Nick Diener - The Swellers
At 9:40, The Swellers began to set up. Drummer Jonathan Diener sat behind his kit and pleaded with sound to turn up his vocal monitor. As feedback hit he jokingly said, “Whatever, I won’t be able to hear anything anyway.” The Swellers brought their beach party vibe to South Florida. Cheerful, upbeat singer Nick Diener’s charismatic facial expressions set the tone for the show. The Diener brothers and bass player Anto Boro's vocals mixed well and the simple music made it easy to sing along. After Nick thanked the crowd and the venue, he announced that this would be the last show at Ground Control. Instantly hearts become heavy.
"Within a few minutes the water bottles were being chucked at the stage like artist seeking missiles from the audience."
As Fireworks took the stage, the raw energy dissipated by the somber end of the Swellers set slowly crept back over the room. Fireworks’ set was the first time all night every single person in the crowd participated in unison. A highlight of the first half occurred when a girl in the crowd hopped on stage and danced seductively for the band. Lead singer, David Mackinder shoved her off stage without missing a beat.
Diaz
While holding one of the elongated notes on the song "Michigan Boys Need To Get A Clue," Mackinder’s voice cracked so loudly that everyone else in the band could not hold back from laughing hysterically. During "Closet Weather," the sound guy for Ground Control began hauling cases of water on stage. Water bottles were being tossed to the crowd harmlessly, presumably to quell the accumulating body heat. Within a few minutes the water bottles were being chucked at the stage like artist seeking missiles from the audience. Water and plastic projectiles came from all directions. This was no longer a performance; it was a slip and slide with a pop-punk soundtrack. Photographers ducked to protect their cameras and the audience members were slipping all over the floor. At this point it was impossible to even point out the band; talk about ending with a splash.
The fountain that was the audience finally ceased once Fireworks left the stage, probably to get some towels. Everyone vacated the venue with a sense of bittersweet emotion. Despite having the time of your life you couldn’t help but feel sad knowing this was the last show at Ground Control.
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PJ Jefferson
Austin
Chris