Karen Ponzio Photos
Sperm Donor.
“Give me a minute and I’ll say something entertaining,” said Phil of Sperm Donor, the second act of a three-band bill at The State House on Sunday night that gave everyone who wasn’t in the mood for Oscar speeches a reason to leave the house and experience the kind of live music you feel in your bones.
First to the stage was Glambat, most recently seen solo acoustic. Sunday got the full band out, of Emily Rose on guitar and vocals and John Romano on drums. With six songs that built up in intensity, beauty and plenty of feedback, Rose and Romano combined to create a sound that felt three times their size yet still retained its intimacy, thanks in part to their own playful interaction as performers and Rose’s always welcomed interactions with the audience.
“Do you guys like Battlestar Galactica?” she asked the crowd at one point and received cheers in response. “I just needed some validation,” she answered with a smile. In addition to originals like “Andy,” Glambat also performed a cover of the 90s pop hit “I Love You Always Forever,” by Donna Lewis — available on a recently released covers compilation comprised of all CT artists — that took the song to another fuzzy frantic level.
Next to the stage were local legends Sperm Donor — the trio including Phil on vocals and guitar, Warren on bass, and Dave on drums — for nine songs, during which the crowd both grew larger and closer to the stage. The sound grew more intense, but the mood remained light and friendly as the band interacted with audience members between each heavy and hard-hitting tune.
“I love you!” shouted one audience member.
“Is that Vechel?” said Phil, referring to friend and fellow musician Vechel Jaynes of Lord Fowl. “I love you too, Vechel.”
The song “Phone Numbers” was dedicated to another friend for his birthday. Another song was referred to as “the new song,” though the band dipped into both of their previous recordings — the most recent one being 2018’s sleight coincidence — for songs such as “Beast of Burden,” “Track Seven,” and “Brown Sugar,” as well as a song called “Dolly Parton” (“It’s about working nine to five,” said Phil). The visceral nature of the music, every beat and scream a release for everyone in its presence, was enough to make one less anxious about having to return to the workweek in the morning.
The final band to the stage, the New York-based Spotlights, also made mention of the week ahead. “Thanks to everyone for coming out on a Sunday, which means tomorrow is Monday,” said Mario Quintero on guitar and vocals, along with Sarah Quintero on bass and vocals and Chris Enriquez on drums.
“We don’t want to talk about it,” yelled someone from the audience.
There was indeed not too much talking during this set, as the house lights went down and the band, illuminated only by four bright-blue vertical lights outlining the amps behind them, shook every inch of The State House and everyone in it to their core.
With barely a rest between songs, the trio offered sternum-shaking bass lines and monster drum solos interlaced with fuzzy, dense and deeply resonating guitar and yes, even harmonies, finding the perfect balance of melodic metal and killer riffs. The audience couldn’t get enough, even screaming for an encore (and receiving one).
“Thank you to Glambat and Sperm Donor for shredding with us,” said Sarah. The crowd left grateful and smiling, body vibrating but feeling just a bit more alive.
