Shadow Box CD Release Party at 400 Bar on 8/16/03
By: David de Young
 Shadow Box in a photo from their website. |
| Shadowbox is: Dan Lichty - vocals, guitar, piano; Dmitry Iyudin - guitars; Matt Uttech - bass; Andy Blessing - drums Website: http://www.shadowboxband.com |
It was apparent at last night's CD Release Party for "The Distance" that Shadow Box has come a long way in the past 12 months. Adding bass player Matt Uttech was a definite plus and the new chemistry has the band looking like a band rather than Dan Lichty and Dmitry Iudin show backed up by bass and drums. Through the entire show last night smiles abounded on the faces of all band members, either because they knew the set was going wonderfully or because they were just plain having a good time.
It was probably a little bit of both. After opening with a brand new song (yet untitled), and blazing through poppy rocker "Circumstances," Lichty introduced what he called the first single from their new record before launching into a reverent, albeit slightly slower version of The Cars "Just What I Needed." Drummer Andy Blessing was clearly having an absolute blast. And adding to the lightness of the moment, Lichty deadpanned after the song that it really was on the record. (I don't need to actually tell you it's not, do I?)
More songs from the new release followed, the anthemic "Little Angel", and the ballad "Stars Fade Out." "This is our fucking CD release party," Lichty said, "Thanks for coming." And speaking of the turnout, the crowd had swelled from a handful to quite a good sized bunch, many of whom had clearly come to see he opening act.
"Fuse" found Lichty screaming oddly at the end, and a couple of songs later came the band's signature song "One Promise."
Shadow Box just keeps getting better, and if you haven't seen them yet shame on you. Seasoned with a year's worth of live experience, they are relaxed and cohesive. Their brief break from live appearances earlier this year had them appearing to have improved leaps and bounds while they were away.
Finally, an excellent sign if I ever saw one: After closing the set with the new album's title song, the applause and whistles of the adoring fans actually led to an encore sanctioned by both the soundman and second band Friends Like These. (And this was even after the band had started putting their instruments away.) If Lichty seemed a little surprised, by the overwhelming response, he probably shouldn't have been.
Location Info:
400 Bar
Artist Info: Shadow Box
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