Editors Headline the 930 Club

July 27

Recommended Beverage to go with this show:

Bass brown ale (in the absence of acid)

Editors are a welcome newcomer on the post-punk scene. Their 2005 debut album, The Back Room, went platinum in the UK and soared to number two on the British charts. It featured the debut single "Bullets," followed by "Munich," perhaps the catchiest on the album, and "Blood," which would hit the UK top 20.

The band tackled their album with incredible energy at the 930 Club. Live, in particular, they sound like the New York-based band Interpol...on speed, though singer Tom Smith's rich voice probably sounded even more like Joy Division's Ian Curtis, if that's possible. Smith certainly emulated the late Curtis with his state of unnatural euphoria, which was particularly distracting during his two stints at the keyboard.

Yet another similarity between Interpol and Editors is the amount of commentary during the show, which was equally non-existent, except for the "thanks for coming." Often newer bands, even despite thick accents, will try a bit of small talk to connect with the crowd, perhaps explaining the inspiration for a song. I, for one, would love to know the story behind "Munich."

Editors have a much more fast-paced sound than the more shoe-gazing Interpol. On certain songs, Editors' guitar hooks were reminiscent of early U-2. Most fun to watch was Editors drummer Ed Hay, who had great stage presence and did a fine job keeping the beat. Many heads bopped to the beat at the packed club as the British foursome sailed through their hour-long set. Editors have had an incessant touring schedule since their album's release and are just becoming known in the States. In DC, they got a boost as the opener for StellaStar* at the 930 Club earlier this year.

Opener Lake Trout played an eclectic, ethereal set that provided the perfect complement to the Editors show.