The Futureheads @ Metro (6/10/2005)

Full Steam Ahead At Metro: (l to r) Ross Millard and Dave Hyde of The Futureheads (Photo By: Chris Castaneda)

There was a buzz inside Metro that you could almost touch with your fingers. For the Futureheads, a return to Chicago meant proving themselves, again, but this time it would be on the stage of one of Chicago's most prominent club where bands such as R.E.M., Nirvana, the Smahing Pumpkins, Oasis, and Pearl Jam made their marks early in their careers. Now it was time for the Futureheads to either carve out a niche for themselves, laying the seeds of a promising career, or be forever trapped by hype.

With names like XTC and the Jam already being associated with this band, the Futureheads attracted an all ages crowd that in strong numbers filled Metro. To an average person in the crowd, whether or not the Futureheads were the next Jam might not have really mattered. What did was this band from Sunderland, England that just blew a gust of sound like some explosion going off on stage. The opening song, "Decent Days And Nights," was an earthquake of shifts and shakes, something that really defines the style of play the band creates on stage. The band mixed up their self-titled debut album which kept the energy level of the crowd on a high. Bassist Jaff and drummer Dave Hyde were interlocked the whole night. Next to the band's extraordinary tightness was their vocal attack. The call and return movements that singer/guitarist Barry Hyde (older brother of Dave) shared with guitarist Ross Millard, and sometimes the whole band, were aggressively melodic--reminiscent of the vocal tag team of the Jam's Paul Weller and Bruce Foxton.

"Robot" and "Trying Not To Think About Time" rattled the crowd with its several spastic twists. There was nothing linear to the band's songs. Each instrument, be it vocals or guitars, took the crowd into ten different directions that all led back to same destination. The confidence the band performed with was equal to their humble nature, constantly thanking the crowd for their support. All the praise and recognition that they have gained thus far doesn't appear to have gone to their heads.

A moment where the band had to stand back and soak in the night occurred with the song "He Knows." What could have been another crowd participation opportunity turned into something very genuine, which the band highly enjoyed. After the song, the crowd began singing back the simple chant of "Ohh" that band had haromized during the song. What began small in spots took over the entire club. It must have made the band feel like they were back at one of their local English pubs. If there were ever a clearer picture of how much the crowd was hanging on every note the band played, it was right then and there.

From the insecurities of "Hounds Of Love" to the rawness of a new song "Area," the Futureheads passionately proved how wide of a range their songs and sound have. Behind the manic delivery was a joyfulness that served as the bridge between the band and the crowd. It was about having fun on a Friday night. It was far more than just a decent night for the Futureheads.