Ted Leo is the Dave Matthews of the indie scene. That statement probably chills the blood of the average horn-rimmed, skinny-tee rocking crowd, but the similarities are undeniable.
Both have cultivated rabid fans writing pop-tinged versions of their respective genres, Leo in the punk/alternative scene, Matthews flirting in the jam band realm. Both have gotten by largely without radio play, with the odd college kid skipping classes to follow one band or the other around.
Both are also aging gracefully, and both are still two of the best songwriters of a generation. About the only difference between the two, aside from Leo's punk leanings and Matthews' violinist, is that Matthews has sold more CDs, t-shirts and concert tickets, a fact that probably endears Leo to his fans all the more.
These loyal fans descended on the Buffalo Icon on Wednesday to cheer, heckle and sing along with Leo and his band, the Pharmacists.
Local opening acts The Audience and La Cacahouette couldn't have been more different. The Audience sounded like new wave/punk acts The Bravery and The Killers, with their emphatic back-beats and chimey guitars. La Cacahouette started slow and droning, but each song's monotone lyrics escalated with pulsing drums and frenetic guitars. Unfortunately, the drums eventually overpowered every other sound, but the build-up segued well into Leo's set.
The strange thing about Leo's shows is that his audience is incredibly young, considering how long he's been around.
Leo first popped up on the indie radar in the early 90s in his D.C.-punk band, Chisel, growing from the same scene that spawned indie legend Fugazi. Since then, his sound has softened, moving into a realm bordering on pop-punk, only smarter, catchier and edgier.
These youngsters, like the songs, are also smarter than the average pop-punk kid and sang along with every lyric, starting show openers "Little Dawn" from 2004's "Shake the Streets" and "Where Have All the Rude Boys Gone?" from 2003's "Hearts of Oak" right through each ending teaser.
Leo's age definitely showed, but not in a bad way. Most young punk performances are uneven and peaky, but Leo was the consummate performer. Nothing, from a busted effect pedal to a raucous heckler, shook the show, and his well-versed banter played well.
As solid as the show was, Leo's age also worked against him. The best thing about young bands is that, as inconsistent as they can be, they play with an urgency Leo's show lacked. It's not a knock against him, but having been around the block more than a few times, Leo seemed to be running through the motions.
Leo no longer packs the emotional punch he did early in his career, but it fits the listener like an old, comfortable pair of jeans.
Photo: Courtesy of Matthew Messina, from the RMBERS' Instagram page
