Rooney
W/ The Crash Kings and Tally Hall
The Glasshouse, Pomona, CA
I have seen Rooney maybe eight times over nine years now, and it seems that only drummer Ned Brower and singer Robert Schwartzmann have the ability to age. While the band HAS gotten progressively better at playing their instruments, only the previously mentioned two, and Guitarist Taylor Locke, have gotten better at being showmen. Bassist Matt Winter is probably THE most boring bassist I have seen in years…probably since the last time I saw Rooney. Whereas Ned and Robert appear to actually enjoy themselves on stage, Winter looks like he can’t wait to be done. Keyboardist Louie Stephens seems only marginally more interested in being a part of the group.
While plowing through songs new (they have a self-produced EP out now) and old (Pop Stars, Blue Side), I just couldn’t help but to be distracted by Winter’s apparent disinterest in being there. Schwartzmann (YES, he has that famous relative…Nicholas Cage is his cousin, poor dude) at least worked the largely teen-chick crowd to his advantage. Locke’s guitar prowess was offset by his emotionless rock star guitar stances/solos. Overall, I am terribly disappointed in the night’s show, but I can’t pretend this will be the last time I see them.
–Jonathan Yost