The pull of Netflix star Joe Keery, who plays Steve Harrington in the hit show “Stranger Things,” led many curious students to Memorial Union’s Der Rathskeller to see Keery’s band, Post Animal, perform Saturday night.
The Chicago-based band is a six-piece unit of talented musicians, but typically the band’s media coverage, and even audience turnout, are almost comically focused on Keery’s involvement with “Stranger Things.” Despite this attention, not all six boys were present Saturday—take a guess which one was missing. Keery’s absence wasn’t detrimental, though initially it was disappointing. Luckily, the band’s talent backs their hype and no one could have said the night didn’t rock.
This was my first time seeing a concert in the newly renovated Der Rathskeller in Memorial Union and, I have to say, the venue doesn’t do performers any favors. The horizontally long room packed with tables, cushy armchairs and even a fireplace is a better hangout/study lounge than it is a concert venue. The stage itself stands too low to accommodate any crowd members not standing directly in front of it. I’ve never consciously wondered if our beloved, dowdy Der Rathskeller could go hand-in-hand with prismatic, heavy psych pop music, but the answer is remarkably yes when Post Animal is in the room.
It’s got to be a challenge for performers to command the stage in an environment set up more for socializing than taking in performance art. Post Animal easily could have been reduced to background music, but their sound and energy resonated. They kept great pace and even their slower songs came across as jams. It was a ride to hear their modern twists on classic influences—they take cues from Black Sabbath, America, Fleetwood Mac and Joni Mitchell, among others.
Post Animal’s personality and substance are perhaps best represented by the crowd favorite song, “When I Get Home.” This tune’s laidback Mac Demarco vibes and kaleidoscopic, Tame Impala guitar/effects took me on a fuzzy trip. “Lonely Jones” was another standout, with Beatles-esque familiarity and a boppin’ rhythm that kept me on my toes.
The only thing missing (aside from Keery) was vocal texture. For a band whose members can all sing, oddly enough there weren’t quite enough harmonies or backing vocals. Regardless, Post Animal put on a top-notch show. “Stranger Things” might have brought me there, but the music made me stay.
