Tuesday night I watched the Cults, Twin Sister, and Morning Benders perform at Portland's Doug Fir Lounge. With the widespread use of computers and electronic effects in modern pop, I find it especially interesting to see how bands transfer their sound to a live format—and that interest is magnified even more so when it's three of the most buzzed-about bands of the year. While Twin Sister was plagued all night with high-pitched buzzing from the monitors and barely audible vocals—due in part to the sound engineer and the fact they simply had too much going on instrumentally—the Cults set the room abuzz with their small but infectious repertoire of songs. Comprised of couple Brian Oblivion and Madeline Follin and a few supplemental long-haired guitarists, the band's sing-along Supremes-esque choruses matched perfectly with their "we're just happy to be here" smiles and stage presence. It's amazing their only real release so far is a 7". And the Chris Chu-led Morning Benders? At this point they're savvy veterans, casual between songs and energetic during, nailing every riff and vocal line throughout the night to that squishy faux-Doug Fir wall.
Cults - "Oh, My God" (Daytrotter)
Twin Sister - "Meet The Frownies" (Shaking Through)
Morning Benders - "Virgins" (La Blogotheque)
