Slip Away with Vacationer and Great Good Fine OK (Crowbar – Tampa, FL)
If you are one of the people who tilted their heads to the side like a confused puppy when I talked to them about going to check out Vacationer and Great Good Fine OK, this is for you. These two amazing bands made a local stop at historic Ybor City here in Tampa, Florida, last night, and I was stoked to get the opportunity to go check them out.
Not one to shy away from my Spotify-recommended tunes, this is how I discovered both Vacationer and Great Good Fine OK some time ago. So when I heard that they would be playing together at Crowbar (as part of another fine Aestheticized Presents event), one of my favorite intimate local venues, I there was no question on whether or not I would go. Sure glad I did.
Vacationer, based out of Philadelphia, PA, and Brooklyn, NY, is composed of Kenny Vasoli (lead singer/bass), Matthew Young (vibraphone/backing vocals), Ryan Zimmaro (drums), Michael Mullin (keyboards/backing vocals) and Greg Altman (guitar/backing vocals). Described “Nu-Hula,” they offer up a very laid-back sound and vibe with almost an island-like quality to them, which made them perfect for this balmy Florida evening. “It’s an exceptionally chill vibe here tonight. I needed one of those,” Kenny said at one point. “I just wanted to let you guys know I like you.”
If Kenny seems familiar to you Warped Tour kids of the emo heyday of the early 2000s, he should. The former The Starting Line leading man heads up this chill-rock group, a far cry from his pop-punk beginnings. After the band went on hiatus and Kenny spent some time on other projects, it was a trip to Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in 2010 that inspired him to create what would become Vacationer, inspired by acts on that lineup such as LCD Soundsystem. He teamed up with Matt Young of Body Language to record their first album, Gone, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Since then, they are no strangers to the festival circuit. The band played at fests such as Bunbury, Firefly, Pinelands, BottleRock, and, most recently, Fashion Meets Music, just to name a few from this year alone.
Only adding to how fun this show was is the fact that Vacationer is currently touring with Great Good Fine OK through mid-October (and if you have the opportunity, go check them both out).
Great Good Fine OK is one of those bands that you have heard, but you don’t realize it (and it’s probably due to their collaboration with The Chainsmokers on their wonderfully catchy tune “Let You Go”), though my personal favorite is “You’re The One for Me”.
https://soundcloud.com/thechainsmokers/let-you-go
A little bit of ’80s synth pop and a whole lot of fun, the Brooklynites that make up the party duo are Jon Sandler and Luke Moellman. It’s really hard not to dance when you listen to these guys. Like, really hard. Their recently released “Take It Or Leave It” is one of those tracks that just makes you want to go into full-on high kicks. Try to not at least twitch around a little listening to it. I dare ya.
Crowbar is amazing for shows like this. It’s small, but not too small, and there is ample room even at popular shows to get a great spot and watch. Great Good Fine OK sounded awesome. The bass boomed from their dance-heavy tracks. But when they slowed things down, which is rare, it carried just as well.
Opening with popular tune “The Wild Life,” Vacationer was the perfect chill follow-up to the dance party before it. People swayed. People sang. People shouted out requests, and the band on occasion deviated from their set to accommodate. Vacationer looked like they were straight off the beach, crooning to their soothing yet fun and pop-infused tunes. You want to dance and close your eyes and just listen at the same time.
https://soundcloud.com/vacationer/wild-life
It was like hanging out at a party and your buddy’s band starts playing in the garage. Gathered around the stage, we listened to Kenny tell stories of how he remembered watching Dr. Dog at Crowbar last time he was there and how that year Mac Demarco was their opening act (you’re clearly welcome, Mac!). It was cool and casual, as shows like that should be. The bands spent time wandering around, talking with people and listening to each other play while they talked with fans and even selling their own merch.
It’s simply times like this between festivals with my favorite bands that help you reset your music mind and reminds you to close your eyes, feel the beats, and dance a little bit.
Keep an eye on the festival lineups next year. We will be seeing (and hearing!) a lot more of these two bands.