Free Energy electrifies Local 506 with power-pop

Tuesday night was hot and humid and things were no different inside Local 506. A large crowd packed in to see a trio of quirky pop bands, Free Energy, Jukebox the Ghost and Miniature Tigers.

Miniature Tigers kicked things off, rolling through a short set of songs from their new album Fortress, due out on July 27, as well as a few tunes from their debut album Tell It To the Volcano.

Highlights included the new song "Goldskull," which features a solid groove punctuated with samples and a wispy melody. The "classic" songs "Cannibal Queen" and "Dino Damage" got the crowd moving which their carefree vibe and infectious melodies.

Frontman Charlie Brand said that the band will return to Local 506 on August 19 with The Spinto Band, so be sure to check them out.

Next up came the spunky trio Jukebox the Ghost. Like Miniature Tigers, the band delved into a lot of new material from a forthcoming album they said would be released on North Carolina-based Yep Roc Records on September 7.

One of the highlights of the set was a killer, an odd cover of Donna Lewis' "I Love You Always Forever." The band also played a few fan favorites including "Hold It In" and the set closer "Good Day." The crowd went nuts, dancing and singing along to the quiky, intricate piano-based tunes. They are certainly another band worth checking out on their own.

Last but certainly not least, Free Energy took the stage. The band launched straight into the song that bears their name. They played a short but electrifying set of songs from their debut album Stuck On Nothing. The sweat poured off of the band as they were inspired by the bouncing and dancing taking place in the crowd.

A new song listed as "C'Mon" showed off a little punk rock flare, while the b-side "Something In Common" was a groovy standout in the set.

The band left the stage briefly and then returned to close the night with "Dark Trance" and "Hope Child." The band was all smiles as they left the stage and likely a few pounds lighter.

The only downside of the night was that the crowd thinned out a bit after Jukebox the Ghost's set. For those who didn't stick around for Free Energy, you missed a hell of a show that was easily the best set of the night. Shame, shame.

Free Energy set list
Free Energy
Dream City
Something In Common
Light Love
All I Know
C'Mon
Bang Pop
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Dark Trance
Hope Child

I believe "Young Hearts" was somewhere in there too.

Free Energy





Jukebox the Ghost




Miniature Tigers