Company Of Thieves – Live at Mac’s Bar
By Jay Rowland
Company Of Thieves (Wind-Up Records); the quickly rising Indie Rock band from Chicago have been winning fans throughout the year whilst on their whirl wind American tour. The band consists of Genevieve Schatz (vocals), Mike Ortiz (drums), and Marc Walloch (guitar). Completing the live tour line-up are Mike Miamone (keys) and Bob Buckstaff (bass). Company Of Thieves is a perfect band to check out if you’re fans of artists like Eisley, Rilo Kiley, The Hush Sound, 1997, or Now, Now Every Children. I was lucky enough to catch this talented and energetic band on Black Friday (11/27/09) when they took the stage at E. Lansing, MI’s Mac’s Bar on their co-heading tour with the Annuals.
It seemed as though almost every one was there to watch Company Of Thieves because the crowd grew noticeably as Genevieve stepped up on to the stage to join the rest of the band. Right from the opening song she captured the audience. I don’t mean to focus on Genevieve, because the rest of the band is great too, but she really does take command of the audience with her amazing stage presence. Genevieve’s vocal talents blow you away with how she can hit a note and hold it like its second nature.
One of the things I look for in a live performance is the similarities and differences with the album version; whether the songs sound identical to the recordings or if there is something a little more to it’s live counterpart. These guys nailed the “something a little more”. The songs were easily recognizable and at the same time they had just enough of a difference to make it a real show and not just another listen of their CD while you sit at home. The energy on stage from the entire band could be felt like a presence in the room.
When the band began to play the song, “Pressure” the energy spiked even higher. I’m sure most of the people in the room have been watching the newly released Music Video for the song just as I had. This song has quickly become a favorite of mine so I was thrilled to see it performed live. Genevieve has perfected her live show to the point her entire body’s motion and facial expressions fit with every part of the performance. After playing “Fire” they came to their next single, “Oscar Wilde”. This song of course was another amazing one to hear live since many of their fans have already been playing this song on repeat for some time now. Songs like “Oscar Wilde” and “Pressure” really helped to showcase just how talented their live performance is. The third best song of the night was the unplanned, “Around The Block”. Some one in the crowd shouted out for them to play the song and they gave the fans what they wanted. They then continued on to still play their closing song, “Umbrella”, completing a well rounded and extremely entertaining show.
After the show the entire band made it a point to spend some time and hang out even though they had a long drive ahead of them to get to Chicago for an 11am practice for the big home town show. I was able to talk with Mike Ortiz and Genevieve and find out a little about their reaction to the show and being on stage. When asked how she felt while on stage, Genevieve had a sweet and simple answer;
“It’s my favorite thing. I feel free and honest.” It explains a lot; from her ever present smile to her energetic command of the stage. She just loves everything about it. While I talked with Mike Ortiz it was great to find out what we as a crowd gave them. He told me how this was the first time they had been to Lansing and that he had no idea what the crowd would be like. He went on to say it was the largest turn out of the tour.
Overall, I was amazed in every way possible by this performance. Company Of Thieves really know how to entertain. I was a little afraid that there might not be that much energy on stage, but I was happily proven wrong. The band is taking a little – yet well earned – break from the hardcore touring that took place this year, but they will be playing again at the 101.9 Holiday Extravaganza with Pete Yorn and David Gray in NYC at the Manhattan Center Hammerstein Ballroom on 12/6/09. If you check out one new band in the coming year, make sure it’s this one.
http://www.myspace.com/companyofthieves
Set list:
1. In Passing
2. Karen
3. Old Letters
4. Quiet
5. Pressure
6. Fire
7. Oscar Wilde
8. Around The Block
9. Umbrella
Fri, Dec 4, 2009
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