Beatdown at The Huntington Street Cafe

As people drove through Huntington Center last Friday night the beaming lights of the illuminated a full parking lot and an interior space filled with a lively crowd. For those who spent the first night of their weekend somewhere else, the café hosted the international band Beatdown along with local Hamden sensations Royal Swindle. While the café created the space the well-known promoter Fernando Pinto brought the band and worked the door. If you needed some air, Pinto’s stories of booking Nirvana and Phish in Connecticut back in the late 80’s and owning the infamous “Tune-in” club in New Haven before it burnt down left you entertained without even being inside. For a $6 cover, attendees were offered two or so hours of music and access to a full kitchen of food and beverages (the sangria is exceptional).

Royal Swindle opened bringing a moving energy that permeated the café and swung the audience into an incredibly good mood. The eight-piece band consisting of two saxophonists, a trumpet player, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, and singer seemed to love their music just as much as anyone listening. The wind instrument players grooved and danced to their more upbeat songs and in between jazzy solos. Royal Swindles sound is a melody of old school 50’s swing, jazz, reggae, and for those who know hints of older No Doubt. They played originals along with playful covers including, UB40’s “If it Happens Again I’m Leaving.” Make sure to check their Facebook page for upcoming shows in Connecticut or at the café for a future run.

Beatdown played after a short break and unfortunately to a bit of a smaller crowd. The Montreal-based band was following a short tour through the tri-state area and according to their guitarist would be back later in the year for a longer tour along the East and West coasts. Old friends that came together from different bands formed the, now two-years-old, Beatdown. As far as old school Ska is concerned these guys have the ability to step out of the genre and create something far more ingenious for current times. While their sound may alter slightly depending on the audience, the group played an interesting mixture of Ska, Reggae (imagine old-school Sublime), and Soul (who knew it was possible?) and had people up dancing at the front.

They started their set with an unfiltered cover of The Temptations famous song, “Get Ready,” which immediately had the audience singing along. The four-piece band includes two electric guitarists – one hollowed out Fender that created awesome jazzy/blues solos, a bassist, and a drummer. Front man Alex Giguere installed a soulful 60’s feel by adding harmonica solos into some of the songs. While remaining true to their reggae roots, some songs, like “Walking Proud” were reminiscent of that old-school Punk/Ska that found it’s beginning in New Haven back in the day. Although the set wasn’t the longest, it’s high energy left the crowd satisfied at the end—even for those who don’t necessarily find themselves listening to that particular genre.

For more information on the Canadian group, check out their Myspace at http://www.myspace.com/jointhebeatdown. Additional upcoming events at the Café can be found at here at their website.