I first heard of Ace Monroe in a clip of Guns N’ Roses bassist Duff McKagan shouting them out as up-and-coming talent. After listening to their new album, Wild Card, I decided Duff might be onto something, but I had to investigate for myself to be sure. So, when I heard they were coming to Mohawk, I knew I had to show up and get a read on what these modern day rock n' rollers were all about.
Let me set the scene. Mohawk, inside stage, 8pm, I already got my beer, and it's time for the opener. The crowd is still moseying inside, sparse at first but filling in as De Casa kicks things off with some slick guitar work. Their mix of smooth lyrics with a distinctively beachy beat really got the people moving! Their percussion was elevated by some entrancing work on the congos, adding another layer of interest to an already excellent performance. My favorite song they played was definitely AGAIN&AGAIN (VIRAO). Overall, De Casa had a really unique sound and did an amazing job getting the crowd warmed up.
But on to Ace Monroe—can they live up to the hype? Well, they started out by slamming into the set with a high-energy track, If You're Gonna Swing, and didn't let up on the pace for the rest of the show. The crash from the drums was so loud it shook the blood, and the rapid rhythm of both guitars commanded the show goers to rock. And really, they didn't quit! There were very few, if any, pauses in between songs, which kept the crowd engaged and on edge. Another wonderful moment was when the band pulled out a surprising genre switch, My Chemical Romance's, Teenagers. But it really worked! The audience went crazy; it was a great number.
My favorite parts of the show had to be the instrumental breaks the band would take. The singer would run off stage and the guitarists would take over, ripping through drawn out solos and back and forth duels. Both the drummer and bassist had their own moments too; everyone's talent was highlighted without interrupting the flow of the performance.
So, what's the verdict? I think Ace Monroe rocks! Besides having such a classic sound, reminiscent of that bluesy style of early Aerosmith (before they got all weird in the 80s), this band has great chemistry and a powerful stage presence! I'll definitely be seeing them next time they're in town, and if you have any affinity for classic rock, you should too!
