I was intrigued by BOBBY, and seeing them actually perform hasn’t done much to quell the mystery behind this band from Western Massachusetts. Even Pitchfork recently and aptly described them as “un-Googleable.” Prior to the show, I scoured the interwebs for band photos; there were none. Even at the show, only NPR’s cameras were on hand for headliners The Low Anthem, save for one irritating rebellious audience member whose bright camera screen could be seen in the front pews of the sanctuary at Sixth & I Historic Synagogue.
I happily confirmed that BOBBY wasn’t just an ephemeral mist, but composed of real-life persons, although Molly Sarle’s (Mountain Man) soaring melodies could have been something out of a dream I once had, that I couldn’t hold onto. Her voice twisted and filled the cavernous space, which was dimly-lit with fluorescent candles.
I was also pleasantly surprised that BOBBY sound as good live as they do on their recordings. “Sore Spores” was instantly recognizable as their second song, but, keeping with their elusive aura, frontman Tom Greenberg (Twiglet) did not announce any of the song titles during their short five-song set. There were long pauses between songs, but I will forgive them for this one minor criticism because I was still left wanting more at the end of the performance.
BOBBY was at times effervescent, sparkling like the stained glass on the walls; at other times Roby Moulton (Keyboard), Paolo Menuez (Guitar), and Martin Zimmermann (Drums) rocked out to an uptempo swing. Perhaps though, what struck me most is when BOBBY was restless, wandering on a journey, as the guitar’s haunting and plaintive notes channeled the ghost of Bobby the man, the elusive, long-gone, past frontman and namesake of the band. BOBBY is already becoming a hazy memory, but perhaps I can hold on to it a little longer if I keep playing this song.
BOBBY is releasing a self-titled LP on June 21st on Partisan Records.
