Pre-recorded synthesizer beats were greeted with cheers from the 25 people in front of the makeshift stage. Smoke clouded the area as figures appeared – the figures of Californian metalcore rockers Casino Madrid. The musicians shared a group hug with their backs turned before proceeding into "Robots," the opening track from the same-titled album.
With its graffiti stained walls, arcade games from the '80s and sticky floors, Broadway Joe's is not the most glamorous venue for a concert, but Casino Madrid was up for the challenge. After their last successful show in October, they decided to return to Buffalo last Friday and played tracks off their first EP and latest album to please both old and new fans.
After 20,000 single downloads from their self-produced EP For Kings and Queens in 2009, Casino Madrid was signed to Artery Recordings' roster. Their angst-ridden lyrics about heartbreak and moving on mixed with electronic accents secured the deal and led to their 2011 project, Robots.
"Being signed to Artery was a dream come true," said lead singer Joe Demaio. "I never knew we would come this far and to think we are just getting started is mind-blowing to me."
The audience heard firsthand the evolution of the band's sound since they formed, from the early sounds of 2007 to the more electronic, dubstep, "electro-rock" sound and expanded lyrical ability of "4:42 Reminds Me Of You" from Robots.
"For Kings and Queens we funded, wrote and produced it on our own," Demaio said. "Robots we recorded with our label and had a producer so it was a new experience for us. It's helped us get our name out there and helped our creativity for sure."
Demaio's deep growls mixed with his clean vocals were melodic and kept the crowd energized while lead guitarist, Armani Sanchez's, fingers strummed quickly. Drummer Johnny Cruz spun his drumstick, keeping the band in time.
Casino Madrid values their fan base, even welcoming the crowd to sing into the microphone or join them onstage, something most bands would never think of doing. They also took the time to interact with their fans in between songs and after their set.
"Without our fans, we would be nothing," Demaio said. "They're helping us more than we could ever help them. They're buying our music, merchandise, and giving us places to stay when the money is tight."
"Fightin' Words" was their final song of the night, but chants for an encore echoed in the barren bar. Casino Madrid, drenched with sweat, obliged to play "Pyramids" off of their EP as a final song before exiting the small stage.
Opening for Casino Madrid were No Sad Tomorrow, Tidings They Brought and Amyst. Unfortunately, they all failed to impress patrons with their generic sound and image, as most people took smoke breaks and even went elsewhere in while waiting for Casino Madrid.
Although the night started off slow, the concert ended on the right note, despite the disappointingly short length of the30-minute set.Drenched with sweat and exhausted, the crowd filtered out and could not wait for Casino Madrid's next tour to stop in Buffalo.
"Yeah, we love Buffalo," said Sanchez. "We are coming back in either April or May with Adestria. The fans here are so inspiring we have to come back."
Email: arts@ubspectrum.com
Photo: Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons | Lasse1974
Photo: Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Courtesy of Comecoquito | Wikimedia Commons
