On Saturday night, alternative band Northern National opened for soulful artist Max Frost at the House of Blues in downtown Dallas. A room full of lighthearted people in their twenties crowded into the Cambridge Room to hear the two acts. There’s nothing like the feeling of attending a fun concert on a Saturday night in a lively venue.

But last night, I had an entirely new experience walking in and out of the show. In the main room downstairs, a certain screamo band delicately named Cannibal Corpse was playing a concert as well. Now I want you to take a second here and consider what kind of crowd a band with both cannibal and corpse in their name would draw. If you guessed a bloodthirsty, Satan-loving, and just generally hostile one, you are correct, you smart devil you (sorry, I just had to). I knew Cannibal Corpse played a “successful” set when I walked out to find two different guys clad in blood-splattered tees with bloody noses. Oh what a night.

Anyway, the point is my life and limbs were in danger, but thanks to Northern National and Max Frost, the risk of death by mosh pit was undoubtedly worth it.

Northern National’s performance surpassed most opening acts’ performances by a mile (see my interview with band member Michael Keene online). The band took the stage with confidence, passion, and talent and pumped up the scarred and scared audience (shout out to you, Cannibal Corpse). The trio of Michaels in the band opened the show with their upbeat title track of their first album released last September called “Young & in Love.” Now I don’t think it’s any secret people don’t typically bounce around for the opening artist. However, Northern National immediately impressed the crowd and got everybody moving.

Next, the band slowed things down with their groovy track “Gotta Dare.” Keyboard player and percussionist Michael Kanne led the crowd in a classic side-to-side Hitch-esque sway (if you haven’t seen the movie “Hitch” and have no clue what I am talking about, I feel sorry for you.) during this song. Next up was “I’ll be Okay,” a song “about finding love” according to lead singer Michael Rossi, which was just on the TV show “Cougar Town.” A creative mash up of cover of Blackstreet’s “No Diggity” and Jason Mraz’s “Remedy” followed along with their romantic tunes “Dance with Me Endlessly” and “You’re the One.” To close the show, Northern National played their hit single “She” and a song composed of only two chords called “Crazy Now.”

The Michaels of Northern National slayed their set just as the people downstairs were slaying each other and were kind enough to chat with fans before and after the show. Hopefully, they will make it to SMU this spring for a special show. Well done, guys.

I would like to take a second and give a shout out to three people who I believe deserve honorable mentions from Saturday’s show: 1. Shout out to the oldest man in the place who worked those air guitar movies the entire show. I know no one noticed your talent, but I saw you. I appreciate you, you wannabe Jimi Hendrix. 2. Shout out to the guy beside me. I have never seen a guy place his hand on his date’s head and direct her like a puppet. Thanks to you, I now know what that looks like. Thanks, man. 3. Last but certainly not least, a major shout out to artist Max Frost. I honestly had no clue who you were, but I certainly do now. You are truly one of the most talented and soulful performers I’ve ever seen. I already have your music on repeat. Mustangs, do yourself a huge favor and go check Max Frost out. You won’ t be disappointed.

So let’s review your homework (yeah I said the h-word). You have four tasks: 1. Listen to Northern National 2. Listen to Max Frost 3. Watch “Hitch” (you think I’m kidding) 4. And lastly, do not ever, unless Northern National and Max Frost are playing a show, enter the vicinity of a Cannibal Corpse concert. I prefer my readers alive.