Four years in the making,
Vertical Rush's sophomore album was finally recently launched. The launch concert took place at The Substation on Dec 19, a night to remember for local indie fans. Both the young and the young at heart arrived at 7 pm sharp to see a sea of ecstasy as eager fans of VR gathered outside The Substation's Guinness Theatre. Who would have thought that a party was going to get started in this sullen brick building?
Concert-goers were given a cool Wake Me Up Music tag to be worn on their left wrists in place of boring old ticket stubs (yet another fashion statement). Goodie bags also known as the Audience Participation Pack, were given to the early birds who had gotten the pre-sale tickets. The goodies which were meant to enhance the maximum experience of the rock show included Urban Junkie vouchers, a sing-along booklet, parachute men (those mini toy soldier figurines), a limited edition VR CD featuring acoustic renditions of a few of their songs and a paper airplane made from Switchfoot flyers (we dig novel recycling ideas). After all, Switchfoot is one of the band's muses alongside Jars of Clay, Jimi Hendrix and many others. I especially loved the funky artwork drawn on the cover of the packs. So much originality.
Door sales included VR merchandise such as plain white statement tees and VR's latest albums.
When the doors finally opened, they opened to a black box juxtaposed against a colourful backdrop that somewhat resembled a Halloween party. The decorations which were constructed using simple art and craft materials created the right ambience for a party/ rock show.
The thing about VR is that they keep things honest and real. Funky beats were being played in the background as the audience trailed in. It left me wondering what was in store for us that very sacred night.
"Welcome to our rock show," was the greeting we got upon our entrance. Every rock show-electric guitar and drum sets had already taken their places on stage.
The show kicked in as the house lights were dimmed. The boys from Trella opened the night with 5 rocking numbers followed by Jean Low from Suitcase Heart with VR's Esmond Wee lending his vocals to a more laid back performance that got the audience seated on the floor.
The likes of Priscilla Ahn, Jean Low presented a series of songs from her very 'rojak' project with only her acoustic guitar as accompaniment. Low also admitted to one of her insecurities-using minus ones because it made her look all 'pop-starrish'. I'm guessing that's another way of keeping things honest and real as with what indie's all about.
Vertical Rush kicked in at 8.45 pm. Clad in simple tees (and guitarist-vocalist Nicholas Chim in a Black Sabbath tee), the band started off with a little intro of themselves dating back from their secondary school days, which was around when the band was started. A lucky draw with a Manhattan Portage messenger bag as the prize and props were given out. It was raining poppers and Switchfoot flyers when the props were thrown around the room for the audience to use at their own discretion or when they felt like grooving.
"Today is the party we want you all to have fun!" was the line that shook things up and at around 9pm, VR rocked the night away with a headbanging first number. 'Your Last Song', the first song from
Of Real Dreams, (yes, the irony) was another headbobbing song that was a hit among fans which included friends of VR who came to celebrate the occasion.True to the indie/rock scene, "Punk rock a bit lah, you don't have to follow rules," was what the band instructed (yet again another irony) when we were told that we didn’t have to religiously follow the instructions in the sing-along booklet.
One of my personal favourites of the entire set, 'Baby', was a blissful, folksy tune that got the couples swooning and locking arms.
”If there's a chick next to you, sing it to her,” the lead singer said. That was the cue for the guys to serenade their girlfriends and wives and albeit not having someone to do that for me, I was swept off my feet with 'Standing in Your Shoes'. A song dedicated to a friend of VR who lost his dad to a heart attack, the song brought tears to my eyes. The crowd was dead silent with occasional sniffles. Time was at a standstill. The song left me contemplating and it probably moved many others too because it certainly was something everyone could easily relate to-the loss of a loved one.
'Spaceman', written for their newest band mate, Shawn, is one of VR's efforts to get aired on local radio.
Despite being a rock band, Vertical Rush is also fabulous with acoustic and slow tunes such as 'Angels', my all time favourite. And daring to show their soft side, 'Running with You', one of the last few songs of the night, was written for Esmond's wife and their baby. Awww, now isn't that sweet?
The gig ended with a bang, as 'Keep Telling the Truth' got the crowd wild. It seemed like we had no woes that night, as we sang our hearts out and jumped to the tunes. All in all, it was one hell of a party for true blue fans of indie music as VR had much to share with their unique blend of sounds. The band, incepted in 1998, is something we should all look out for in the bubbling local music scene (that’s alive and kicking!).
Singapore definitely has indie talents for staying true to their anthems and keeping things real and rocking. Vertical Rush left me infected with their rhapsodic tunes as I chanted “If I could see angels/ If I could see angels” all the way home.
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