Saturday night I finally
accomplished something I had been trying to accomplish for almost ten years. Ten
years people! I finally saw Harry and the Potters in person, a WRock (Wizard
Rock) band made up of two brothers Joe (the keyboardist) and Paul DeGeorge (the
guitarist). As the name suggests they center on the Harry Potter universe while
playing shows as two different versions of Harry, the boy wiz himself.
Back to the story. The first time I
tried to go see them was in ’02-’03 around Christmas time I believe. Two
friends of mine, one that I went to high school with and another that I had
only talked to online, were dead set on seeing them in our kick ass Hogwarts
costumes. I even had started carving a wand from a small fallen branch that I
found in the woods near my house. It would have been amazing.
This concert was suppose to be the
first time that I was to meet my now life-long best friend, Trish, but sadly a
sodding blizzard came out of no where and ruined our plans. Over the years I
have tried unsuccessfully twelve times to see them. One time I was stuck in
traffic and missed them by five freakin’ minutes. Another time the car died
while yet another time I got food poison the day before.
Almost ten years later I was
finally able to see this legendary band ironically with Trish no less and was
it worth it? Yes, we had come full circle. All this pain and frustration to see
two brothers rock out in their Hogwarts uniforms and singing about a special
time in a magical castle. You are all probably wondering, was it worth it? Was
it worth almost a decade of failed concert going experiences and the almost
blood lust like need to be around nerds like myself.
The
answer is a simple: Hell yeah! This show had it all and more. It included great
music, great energy, bad puny jokes and hilarious as well as bountiful
interactions with the audience. There even was a point where a certain
brother’s string broke. Did the rock stop? No, Joe and their drummer, who was
affectionately named ‘Bill Weasley’, kept going while Paul tip toed to the back
of the stage, quickly fixed it before joining right back in and knocking our
socks off.
Firstly their music is well put
together, funny while being catchy as all hell. Trust me, you will be singing
their songs for a few days to come. My co-workers probably thought I lost it
when I was singing the Draco Malfoy inspired song. A few of there songs are
really short and joke like. For example they have a song about that lovable
Hagrid and how he’s full of love while being a great hugger. It also has a word
of warning to not get stuck in his beard, which results with everyone in the
audience screaming, slapping their cheeks not unlike what’s his name from Home
Alone.
Next I just have to mention their
energy. Either they run on pure magical crack or are half sprite. Not entirely
sure but they did not quit. Joe kept doing sidekicks while continuing to the
play the keyboard over and over again while singing. If I did that well can
anyone say concussion with a possible side of hospital trip? Paul didn’t do
anything so acrobatically hilarious but he did jump around like a spring wound
bunny for 95% of the show. Boy has to have legs of steel at this point.
If I ever do see them again I want
to give them both the largest Red Bulls I can find and sit back to watch the
hilarity. Pretty sure the whole club/concert hall would spontaneously combust.
So probably not a good idea but that’s never deterred me before. Only concert I
have ever been to that has beat these two boys energy level, and not by much
mind you, was Sum 41. For anyone that has seen them in concert know exactly
what I am talking about. Leader singer Derek Whibley: Kitty on Crack with an IV
of espresso running straight to his heart. Just saying.
The only part of their performances
that made me kind of want to smack them was the puny jokes. I will grant them
this: Some of them were actually cute, not funny but cute. I would reiterate a
few but to be perfectly honest I can’t remember a single one. I do remember the
audience reactions to said horrible puns that all centered around Harry Potter.
Shocking I know. The audience including yours truly reacted in one of three
ways; a short chuckle, a loud groan and the eerie silence of incomprehension
with only the faint whistling sound as it passed over everyone’s head to accompany
it. Less puns more rock pretty please.
Granted, I shouldn’t rag on them
too much. They opened up the platform for audience interaction to be upped a
lot. My favorite part was honestly when one or two of the brothers stepped down
from the stage and walked around the crowd. Also they are beyond magical since
they got all on the dance floor to sit down with them all hippie-like. It was a
magical hippie circle until they upped the ante and had everyone lay down. So
it went from a hippie circle to a hippie
circle if you know what I mean.
If you are a HP fan I highly,
highly recommend going to see these two whenever possible. They are possibly
coming back to Cambridge, Ma. around Christmas time and you know I will be
there. It was stupidly muggy this past Saturday and not a single bone in my
body wanted the hassle of dressing up but December is cold as hell. Who knows
you might see this little blogger in a full-blown wizard costume. Only way to
find out is if you follow Harry and the Potters and my new love affair.
Seriously why wouldn’t you follow all this awesomeness?
If you want to learn more about Harry and the Potters go to: http://harryandthepotters.com/ or follow them on twitter at @hatp
No comments:
Post a Comment