"K-I-C-K-A-S-S. That's the way we spell success," chanted the synchronic crowd to the lyrics of Matt Good's song "Giant" in hopes of conjuring the band back for one last song.
The band busted out, hammering away at guitars and drums to the tune of "Giant" at their enamored fans' request.
It was only the start of the encore, but for those in the audience, the concert was already an unforgettable experience.
Western New Yorkers reap in many fruits of Canadian industries. Labbatt Blue is our beer of choice, no coffee can compare to Tim Horton's and our technologically based nation still can't put out a better Zamboni than our northern neighbors.
The latest invaluable import to come across the Peace Bridge is rock musician Matt Good. He and band members Christian Thor Valdson (guitar), Rich Priske (bass) and Pat Steward (drums) performed at Club Infinity this past Friday.
"I know Matt Good's from Canada. So, how many border jumpers do we have here from Canada?" asked the lead singer from the opening band Blue Jenny.
Judging from the subsequent silence, it was clear that Good's fan base was solid in Western New York.
Amidst intermittent "boos" from the crowd to shoo off the opening bands in anticipation of Matt Good, was a loud cheer at the announcement from Ordin's lead singer that it was their last song.
Matt Good walked out to an enthusiastic sold-out audience with just a guitar and no band at his wings.
He opened with a slow-tempo acoustic rendition of the dark ballad "Tripoli," thereby setting an intimate mood for the night.
Matt Good concerts ordinarily carry with them impatient drunken crowds of cheaply dressed women, and the characteristic lewdness of a male college audience who yell out for harder songs like "Weapon" or "Rico" between sets.
However, the audience was respectful Friday night, letting Good's acoustic melodies like "Tripoli" and "Apparitions" lull their ears while appropriately rocking out to jumpier tunes like "Oh Be Joyful" and "Hello Time Bomb."
"I haven't been in the US to play in a while but every time I come across, the guy at the border always has a ticket," Good said. "If it was like this, I'd be in the US all the time."
Good pecked at the microphone like a rooster in a life-or-death cockfight, delivering snappy, quick-hitting lyrics or airing out his lungs with more longwinded lines.
Valdson's sad, wailing guitar riffs augmented by Good's entrancing lyrics made the live version of "Avalanche" a beautifully moving piece that was more powerful than anything heard through the stereo.
The energy of the crowd was only as roused as the band members who didn't hesitate to skip across the stage, laying out jerky pop songs like "Load Me Up" and "Everything is Automatic." Good's shirt became darkly discolored as he amassed a considerable amount of back sweat.
Always outspoken with Canadian audiences on matters of American foreign policy, Good did not hold back Friday night.
"Anyone know what a yellow elephant is?" Good asked. "A yellow elephant is someone that supports the war in Iraq but is too afraid to fight it."
His political manifestos appropriately segued into thematic songs. After promoting the human rights organization, Amnesty International, he broke out into "Blue Skies over Badlands."
"Human rights are a tricky thing," Good said. "You don't really think about human rights until you lose yours. My country and your country set the standard."
Good gave the crowd their merited climax with an encore including the fan favorite "Giant," along with "21st Century Living" and "Advertising on Police Cars."
"No one can play so many songs that aren't hits and have so many people singing along. 14 songs and I was questioning my sexuality," said audience member Josh Pruyn.
Besides Good's ability to arouse what were normally heterosexual males, he similarly appealed to the fairer sex.
"If he wasn't married, I'd ask him to date me," said NCCC student Laura O'Connor.
Because the crowd was satisfied and the band gratified, hopefully Matt Good and company will make more frequent American tour stops in the future.
Photo: Courtesy of Matthew Messina, from the RMBERS' Instagram page
