CheekyChicago

Thank you (500) Days Of Summer for introducing me to The Temper Trap. It took more than a year to get a chance to see this alternative rock quartet from Melbourne, Australia live in concert, but it finally happened. Unfortunately, I missed out on seeing The Temper Trap perform on Lollapalooza festival grounds. However, privileged VIPs scored big time at the Hard Rock Hotel’s Belvedere Nights after party when the darling Aussie gentlemen played a five-song set in a roomful of less than 200 people.

SET LIST

Fader
Down River
Love Lost
Sweet Disposition
Drum Song

The select group of Very Important Persons was treated to the deal of the day when The Temper Trap brought out labelmates Mumford & Sons to join them for an insanely populated production of “Down River.” Glassnote Records sure knows how to pick ‘em. Both bands are perfectly capable of standing on their own. Both bands have the potential to “make it” in the music industry. Both bands are comprised of members who can all play each other’s instruments and play them very well. One can only hope that a co-headlining tour through the States featuring the two overseas bands sharing the same stage is somewhere in the future. Preferably sooner rather than later. Please and thank you.

For anybody who watched the indie film (500) Days Of Summer, besides resurrecting the career of Joseph Gordon-Levitt, the romantic comedy can without a doubt be credited for launching a surefire career path for The Temper Trap. All it took was for me to hear “Sweet Disposition” while watching Gordon-Levitt’s character fall head over heels in love with Summer and I was hooked. Line and sinker. In fact, I enjoyed the music chosen for and placed in the movie more than the movie itself. When The Temper Trap boys got around to playing “Sweet Disposition” in their after party set, the audience finally had something they could sing along to and that they did. With yours truly unabashedly singing the loudest.

Not to be outdone by predecessors Mumford & Sons, The Temper Trap ended their performance with “Drum Song.” And yes, the tune was all about the drums. Lead by Dougy Mandagi (lead vocals, guitar), the band banged away on all sorts of percussion instruments. Mandagi went from a multihued floral patterned shirt to an all-black ensemble showing off toned, tanned, and muscled arms in a tank top while striking a massive bass drum positioned in front of him.

Ending their brief set with a bang (literally), the Aussies were joined on stage by Daniel Glass, the man behind Glassnote Records, and the Brits Mumford & Sons. Glass took a few moments to congratulate the baby bands that are signed to his independent label on their burgeoning success. Hear, hear! The Temper Trap will not be a baby band for long. Mark my words. This band will be all grown up before you know it. In the blink of an eye.