Show Review, Photos: L.S. Dunes Thrill San Francisco Audience With Powerful Rock Performance
L.S. Dunes
w/ Pinkshift
August 9th, 2023
The Fillmore
San Francisco, CA
Review and Photos by Derek Simmons-Tobias
San Francisco’s legendary Fillmore, on a quintessential foggy summer evening, played host to L.S. Dunes. Despite the event taking place just a couple of days before the mammoth Outside Lands Festival, a decent-sized crowd gathered, eagerly anticipating the quintet’s live magic. L.S Dunes, the supergroup formed last year by Anthony Green (Saosin, Circa Survive, The Sound of Animals Fighting), Frank Ireo (My Chemical Romance), Travis Stever (Coheed and Cambria), Tim Payne and Tucker Rule (Thursday), brought along Baltimore based punk rock group Pinkshift for a night of emo madness.
Before L.S. Dunes captivated the audience with their emotional odyssey, Baltimore's very own Pinkshift graced The Fillmore stage, bringing with them a storm of raw energy, punk authenticity, and heart-rending vulnerability.
Pinkshift singer Ashrita Kumar, right from the start, was a veritable powerhouse of vibrant positivity. The singer, a dynamo of emotion and action, took charge, not just performing but living each song. With every jump, scream, and passionate movement, the audience mirrored the intensity.
Though normally known for their fast-paced punk anthems, Pinkshift showcased their versatility with a touching interlude. As Kumar, armed with a guitar, soulfully serenaded the crowd with 'Hope' and another track from their upcoming EP. The calm moment was short-lived though. As the bass pounded fiercely, heralding the beginning of the next track, Kumar unleashed a cathartic scream. Ensuring the crowd was in tandem, they initiated a playful scream countdown, encouraging the crowd to yell it out after "1-2-3-4!" "San Francisco, I want to see you go bat shit crazy right now!".
As the set neared its climax, the singer orchestrated a poignant moment of unity, guiding the sea of fans in a synchronous wave, their hands flowing back and forth, resembling a living, breathing organism. And with a final burst of energy, Pinkshift dove into their final song ‘Rainwalk’, leaving the crowd wanting more, but also perfectly priming them for what was yet to come.
Walking onto his raised drum platform and opening with 'Bombsquad', L.S. Dunes drummer Tucker Rule sent waves of rhythm through the concert hall with the first few beats of his drums. The atmosphere was instantly charged with anticipation as the rest of the band joined him on stage. The song's frenzied energy and probing lyrics hinted at themes of chaos and resilience, setting the stage for the explorations to come.
Anthony Green was somewhat subdued compared to past performances, however 'Like Forever', showcased his astonishing vocal dexterity, as he oscillated between the fragility of falsetto and the raw power of his screeches. Slowing things down a bit Dunes rolled into 'Blender', a song deeply rooted in the tumultuous churn of emotions and Green took advantage of his natural ability to connect deeply with a crowd, encouraging them to come closer at every vocal break. At the end of the track, Green stated “This is a great venue, and we’re a great band, Thanks for coming out!” The brief and humorous acknowledgment of the band and the iconic venue served as a poignant reminder of the symbiotic relationship between artist and audience.
A particular highlight was the performance of 'Benadryl Subreddit'. The band’s newest single hints at the modern juxtaposition of reality and virtual existence. A shared microphone moment between Green and guitarist Frank Iero only added additional spice to an already amazing moment. As Green continued to bounce around and whip his hair back and forth, 'Permanent Rebellion' served as the perfect backdrop to highlight the perpetual struggle against the status quo. An exceptionally humorous moment came at the end of the song when Green motioned to an audience member and stated, “This is my favorite person of the night, the person who didn’t time it right and is now crowd surfing to no music” (which would appear to be a theme throughout the night).
Before the heart-rending 'Past Lives', an impromptu crowd chant for drummer Rule stood as an emblem of the cyclical nature of life and memories. The song, with its contemplative lyrics, nudged listeners to reflect on their past and the lives they've touched and been touched by.
'2022', set the stage for the pre-climax of the evening. As the band left the stage, the crowd started chanting “One more song!” but alas, their efforts fell on deaf ears. The crowd’s ensuing chants of “LSD! LSD!” created an aura of unity and nostalgia, intertwining the band's initials with an ode to San Francisco’s hallucinogenic path, finally prompting the band to come back on stage for “one more song”.
Concluding with 'Sleep Cult', L.S. Dunes encapsulated the shared trance-like state that music can invoke. The famed Fillmore disco ball twirling, reflected the collective dreams and desires of those present, combined with Anthony's rallying call to “sing together, real loud”, was a testament to the shared human experience and the power of music to connect us.
In the end, L.S. Dunes' performance was not just a display of their musical prowess, but a masterclass in evoking emotions. The melodies, lyrics, and interactions seamlessly interwove to tell a story of human existence, resilience, and shared experiences, ensuring that the night at The Fillmore would be long remembered by all present.
L.S. Dunes Set List
Bombsquad
Like Forever
Blender
Grey Veins
Benadryl Subreddit
Antibodies
Permanent Rebellion
Grifter
It Takes Time
Past Lives
2022
Encore:
Sleep Cult
