Maryland melodic emo celebrate ten years of debut full–length ‘Reach for the Sun’
L.A. alternative indie quartet Arms Akimbo are the touring support for The Dangerous Summer.
The rain may have been falling outside October 21 in the F–M, but the sun was shining in The Aquarium as The Dangerous Summer played “Reach for the Sun” in its entirety ten years after its release.
The 21+ event put on by Jade Presents kicked off with Fargo country rock act Home State. The group combines the rural storytelling of country with a beefed-up sound thanks, in part, to three guitars.
Another local act High Hopes took to the stage next, sharing their brand of pop punk with the Monday night crowd.
Los Angeles alternative indie rock band Arms Akimbo followed High Hopes to the Aquarium stage. The quartet finds a way to make west coast indie fresh and unique, an impressive feat in the area’s saturated indie rock market. The trademarks of soaring harmonies and bright guitar are left intact.
The band played through most of their current discography, which is a slim 16 tracks. The group released their first single “Little Insensitive” in 2016 and their second EP “Seven Dollar Paycheck” in 2018.
For such a young band, two EPs in four years is actually pretty impressive. Arms Akimbo explores topics that college students and the recently graduated can relate to. The band itself formed during the bandmates’ time at Loyola Marymount University.
The title–track of “Seven Dollar Paycheck” is a prime example. “I’ve got a seven dollar paycheck and an 11 dollar bill,” vocalist and guitarist Peter Schrupp begins, “Yeah, if we’re ever gonna make it, I think we’ll probably have to steal.”
Headliners The Dangerous Summer brought the midnight sun when they took the stage. The quartet played through their 2009 debut “Reach for the Sun” front to back in celebration of its 10th birthday.
North Dakota became lead singer AJ Perdomo’s 49th state visited, leaving only Alaska, he told the crowd.
The band wasn’t satisfied with just “Reach for the Sun”, however, taking a quick break before returning to the stage and playing a selection of tracks from their latest album “Mother Nature”.
It was apparent both Arms Akimbo and The Dangerous Summer wanted the crowd to enjoy the concert as much as they were themselves.