Chicago native band, Danger Is My Middle Name, infused doses of pop-punk electronic music at a local coffeehouse, Bean Counters, in the sleepy town of Highland, IN on Feb. 9. Parents, teenagers and several young children packed the small venue among the citrus-colored walls and one-foot-tall stage. Without a doubt, the talented quartet inspired numerous bored bodies into dance mode with their 30-minute set.
After stealing an opening act on Night 2, Q101’s Twisted 14, — Danger continues to plunge into the rock scene with explosive rock hits that were too big for suburban Indiana. Acoustically, the tiny venue muffled the differences between the overpowering instruments and Gabe Atkins’ vocals/guitar. Clearly, the band’s energetic sound did not match the intimate setting of coffee cups and biscotti. Atkins’ talents as lead vocalist and guitarist impressed the crowd next to William Cox’s technical, hypnotic guitar talent. Mickey Molinari on drums, was wedged in a corner between an orange wall and a steamy glass window pane; however, his powerful rhythm was not off by a single second. On bass Craig Miller’s creative antics matched his hilarious personality on stage. Jokes, simultaneous head banging and less than perfect onstage dance acts decorated their performance. Regardless, hometown boys who contain too much talent do not mix well with quiet java rooms.
New listeners will convert to music addicts with Danger’s promising hit “Revenge on the Radio.” The optimistic tune is a light-hearted combination of mainstream Fall Out Boy, with a twist of Motion City Soundtrack, minus the mumbling and devilish black eyeliner. The sweet, laid-back ballad, “Goodbye Skyline,” will open ears up to Danger’s versatility and style. One of my personal favorites, “Sidecar One,” added a little spice to their set. The dynamic song, accompanied by two powerful guitar riffs, will win any weary ear over.
Danger continues to show promise in the underground Indie rock scene. After sharing the stage with Coheed and Cambria in December 2007, the guys landed an opening act for Ludo’s CD release show on Thu Feb 29 at the Metro. Tickets are $10 through ticketmaster.com.
Check out their website at www.myspace.com/dimmn