With the local indie rock scene in NYC completely taking over, the shows are seemingly getting better and better. If you happened to miss the Dallas Wax show on October 3rd, then we feel sorry for you. Fear not, as this review will describe in detail the performance that has stuck with us since that night took place.
Dallas Wax is an NYC-based classic rock n roll band that, in less than a year, has accomplished so much. Just under a year ago, the band performed for the first time in a basement and has now headlined Brooklyn Made for their EP release show, on top of playing at other respectable venues such as Arlene’s Grocery, Baby’s All Right, and Heaven Can Wait.
Brooklyn Made seems to be the venue where our best concert reviews take place. Dallas Wax shared the stage with two other NYC-based bands, Savoia and The Gasoline, adding to the quality of the night with Savoia's exuberant and eccentric performance from the lead singer, Lucas Allan, coming out in a top hat and leather trench coat singing songs from their recently released EP, Sunflower Mouth, to The Gasoline, a band that once they start playing instantly reminds you of the English rock that was coming out of the 90s. Both bands set the rest of the night as the audience itched with anticipation for Dallas Wax’s entrance. A Thursday night has never been so electric.
Dallas Wax is composed of Ryan Wax (lead vocals and guitar), Matt Stawinski (guitar), Alfonso Urbaneja (bass), Gabriel Seiler (drums), and Owen Hite (keys). Their sound encapsulates a soulful psychedelic rock with 70’s influences and memorable instrumentals. The show was in honor of their first EP release The Air We Breathe, performing all 5 tracks along with some unreleased songs and covers.
As the light dims, Dallas Wax enters the stage, walking to their respective spots in attire that adds to that 70s image that goes hand-in-hand with their classic rock sound. Only being established as a band for almost a year with such a cohesive image and sound is incredibly impressive, as this cohesion with so many members, all with different influences and interests, demonstrates the thought and effort that goes into the band. Their demeanor as a whole gave off an organic swagger you expect to see in a rock band.
Beginning the set strong with their first released single “Mud”, the crowd’s enthusiasm immediately grew, along with their attention. Wax’s ability to engage the crowd in the first song displays his natural showmanship. The single has a special quality that gets everyone jumping and singing along, not only to the song but to the riffs as well; it's almost as if the guitar is singing to us. As the bridge builds with steady drums the guitar solo is the highlight of the song, absolutely captivating you right at the start of the show.
A notable attribute of seeing Dallas Wax live is their individual dexterity with the instrumentals. Each performer shows off their technique and passion throughout the set, proving that they don’t just play the music, they truly feel it. This translates beautifully to the audience, you can’t seem to look away. Wax’s vocals are strong and slightly raspy with an alluring quality that allows the listener to analyze the words he’s singing along with the instrumentals he’s playing. Seiler steals the show as he thunders across the venue with his drums. As you get lost in the music, each punchy beat clocks you back into reality. Stawinski’s stage presence seems calm, cool, and collected all the while absolutely shredding it on the guitar, effortlessly. Urbaneja’s performance shows a real passion for music where each bassline focuses your attention on the rhythm. Hite on the keys adds a special flair to their sound, adding to that psychedelic 70’s rock vibe. As the band is collectively rocking out, you hear the keys shining through and as you look over, you see him locked in putting his all into the performance.
Their second track “The Ride”, had an instrumental break that set the standard for the rest of the show, demonstrating pure rock and roll. It is then followed along by three unreleased songs, “Caterpillar”, “Sharks”, and “Girl Like Me”, demonstrating the beauty of this setlist as Dallas Wax can play with a span of varying sounds and emotions. Wax asserts his presence as the frontman in such an authentic way, that it’s as though he was born to be on stage. Their stage presence, as well as their music, makes you feel as though you are sonically transported to a different era of time.
A slower track on the EP, “Now, We’re Two” was a different kind of performance than the rest of their songs. Deeply profound, a light guitar calms you for the first two minutes as the melody becomes familiar and Wax’s soft vocals enter. During those first two minutes, it allows your body to come back down as it transports you to this space of tranquility– where it's as if you’ve had an out-of-body experience and you’re back in the room with everyone. Combining a loud, heavy rock set with a more intimate and vulnerable piece of music is vital in showing not only the artists’ range but also their musical depth.
The set continues, slowly bringing everyone back to a place of liveliness with each song, you can see each band member enjoying themselves on stage whilst being lost in the music itself. Each member was given a moment to shine; like Hite’s transition from the keys to the guitar given to by Wax as he pulled out the harmonica, and everyone cheered because it's not a Dallas Wax show without a harmonica moment. Followed by another shining moment in “Take Me Out”, Seiler had this amazing drum solo that started with a bang. As it continued, people began cheering louder and once you thought it was over, it only intensified and picked up pace as people followed along cheering in amazement.
Right before ending the set, Wax took a moment to shout out everyone who has helped the band grow—producers, mixers, friends, and just anyone who has helped support the band to where they are right now, filling up the room with so much love.
Something magical happens at a Dallas Wax show, you are sonically bewitched, as each melody and guitar riff immerses you into a different reality. The last track on their new EP, “The Air We Breathe” does exactly that. It’s an exciting thing to watch when a band obviously loves what they are playing.
The set ended with his rocking song “Bluff”, a favorite unreleased song that we all so desperately cannot wait to have, and once the sadness began to wash over, thinking the best is done, the crowd cheered for “one more song”. As the band returned to the stage and Wax had a tambourine in hand, we knew it was going to be stellar. “Are You Gonna Be My Girl” by Jet was the cover song that had the entire room jumping and singing along. In this last song, Wax had a new persona, enthusiastically dancing around the stage hitting the tambourine, and striking the audience with remarkable vocals. Everyone was just riding a high of pure
ecstasy, as Wax jumped down to the audience, he started a mosh, and people joined in. Once we thought that the song was over, Wax hopped back on stage onto the higher platform, and with the lights off, you could only see his silhouette. He leaned his head back, microphone to his mouth, and said “Are you gonna be my girl?” and Seiler’s drumline hits.
Overall a Dallas Wax show is an enticing, unforgettable event that one should experience at least once. We’ve had the pleasure of seeing them multiple times throughout the year, and with each show, they continuously improve with each performance. A night filled with classic rock music and good people.
Written by Amy Kapel and Veronica Anaya
Photographed by Michelle Paradis
