‘SPO rocks out

OLOSPO played to a thankful hometown crowd both Friday and Saturday night after returning from a tour of the West.

The shows were equal parts fine-tuned originals, unexpected covers and spontaneous teases, all fueled by the crowd’s energy. There was a strong emphasis on lengthy instrumental jams, some of them dark and brooding.

Friday night’s crowd might have been a little thinned out by the imposing rain. But the weather didn’t stop the band or those who made it out from having a great time.

Highlights of the first night’s show included a wonderful cover of Deep Purple’s “Hush” that played directly into The Big Wu’s “Silcanturnitova.” The band didn’t miss a beat, trading one tune for the other without a second of post- or pre-tune jamming.

As crowd members continued to yell suggestions such as “Metallica!” “Nirvana!” and “Guns N’ Roses!” they were rewarded with the GN’R classic “Mr. Brownstone.”

Original tunes such as “Requiem (Lose My Number)” and “Way Too Many Shots” did a great job of showcasing both the band’s older and newer tunes.

Saturday night’s show went off without a hitch. The crowd was much larger than Friday’s – large enough to fill the venue. And the dry weather led to an interesting roof scene during set break.

Highlights included original favorite “Dirty Rita” as well as a howling rendition of Led Zeppelin’s “The Song Remains the Same” and a funky-ass cover of Kool & the Gang’s “Jungle Boogie,” a la Pulp Fiction.

By the end of a two-day stand, you’d think the crowd might be tired of moving around. Wrong.

With the house lights on full blast, the house music came on – old TV theme songs. The crowd danced around to the Jefferson’s theme song like there was no tomorrow. It was beautiful.