A Tulsa Night on 2 Wheels

Show Recap

Last Saturday was a very hopping night in Downtown Tulsa, music-wise. Since my significant other and I live mere blocks from the Inter-dispersal loop, we decided to cruise the scene on our two-wheeled companions–the bikes.

There is a new (to me, anyway) band called The Atlas Life that was playing at The Gypsy. I could find hide, nor hair of them on the interwebs, so I decided to check them out for myself. Thus, this was the first stop on our Saturday Night adventure. By the time the foursome (2 guitars, drums and bass with both guitarists on vocals) began, the Gypsy was filled to the brim with music fans of the ‘under 21′ persuasion. Unbeknownst to me, The Atlas Life already has a dedicated fan base, complete with singing-and-dancing along. For being so young, The Atlas Life is very impressive musically. The lead guitarist creates most of the melodies from a technique called double tapping, which involves no strumming at all, just pushing the strings into the frets in rhythm to your desired melody. Yes, it is as difficult as it sounds, but this nerd-rocker pulls it off with ease. The overall sound is comparable to The Mars Volta and other experimental hard rock outfits like Queens of the Stone Age.  Pillotalk and Benjamin Lyman also played the Gypsy Saturday, but alas, the pavement and $3 Guinness called us.

We pedaled just a few short blocks West to the Crystal Pistol, where Low Litas was just coming off the stage. We buckled in for the long haul see the remaining bands on the bill; Jacob Abello, Fiawna Forte and BRONCHO. Jacob Abello adds a glam-rock Freddie Mercury character to the scene fully outfitted in body glitter and a gold sequined tuxedo jacket. Oh, and don’t forget, gold suspenders. Heavy on keys and gloomy bass lines, it’s hard not to think of Tim Curry in Rocky Horror.

Fiawna and BRONCHO put on great shows, as always. Energy, happiness and excitement to be a part of something were all feelings exuding from the crowd. It was a terrific night for Tulsa’s music scene. We teetered home, feeling alive.

Caution: if you decide to bike next time you go out, make sure you have reflectors, lights and other safety gear. Cars hardly see bicyclists anyway, but in the dark after a night of bar hopping, it’s important to be extra careful!

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