Here’s the report from Thursday night (July 2) at Mohawk. HMS Foolhardy released their EP Grassrock and This Will Destroy You headlined outside.

Mohawk was packed after 11pm for This Will Destroy You, who were doing their best to live up to their moniker. Maybe I’m not sophisticated enough to “get it”, but man was I bored. They are a well-known band with a good draw but “epic, post-rock” is like viewing a painting of a landscape. The skill that went into it can be appreciated and there is a sense of beauty. However, at the end of the day there is a sense that it is incomplete. The set seemed like one, flowing song; a testament to the group’s skill. Yet, it was not engaging. The crowd stood there, comparing ironic mustaches. Somewhere on that musical landscape should be interesting subjects and something to catch your ear. Those subjects were inside, playing “American grassrock” to a handful of people.

Originally from Berlin, HMS Foolhardy moved to Austin in 2006. Their style of melodic pop with darker rock tendencies is definitely worth checking out live. That might be a problem at the moment, as this was the last scheduled show for the time being. The trio engaged the audience, handed out free CDs, and they looked like they were having fun on stage. They were accessible, engaging, and gained a new fan in me; here’s hoping they grab a few more summer shows.

To keep me entertained, you have to do two things as a band. First, have a tight live show. Play your instruments well, don’t take a whole lot of time between songs etc. The second, and more important thing, is to have fun on stage. Many Austin bands brood on-stage, playing the part of the serious artist. It’s unnecessary and don’t work for the vast majority of groups that try it. It just makes me feel like I am interrupting deep introspection and doesn’t engage me in any way.

But hey, that’s me.