If you’re wondering what’s cooler than being cool, The Big Red Rooster has dethroned Andre 3000 from Outkast. After its performance Friday night in Deep Ellum, this reporter has newfound respect and admiration for the young band, which is comprised solely of SMU undergraduate students. Lead by linguist Andrew Meals, whose verbal skills and provocative lyrics rival that of bands like The Roots and 311, The Big Red Rooster dares to be different.
Some songs take unexpected turns, adding an element of surprise, while others can’t help but move the crowd. Between the rocking bodies and throwing of elbows, the contagious energy poured throughout the bar. The women were plentiful, scantily dressed and ready to party. If you were male and at Curtain Club Friday night when The Big Red Rooster hit the stage, then you were in heaven on earth.
Vocalist Isaac Wimberley adds an interesting element to the equation – he holds a strong tune that is reminiscent of Chester Bennington.
For those of you who are familiar with the band Linkin Park, he is the energetic and soulful singer who is the reason you either love or hate the band.
The bassist and harmony provider, Zuriel Barron, keeps a good beat and controls the direction of the song. From the audience, it appeared as if both the drummer, Cedric Moore, and keyboardist, Phillip Griffin, were looking to him for cues.
The Big Red Rooster gets a lot of its funky style from the beat mechanic, Cedric Moore. His energy and impressive stick skills inevitably stole the attention of each member of the audience at some point in every song.
If you like Sublime, Red Hot Chili Peppers or 311, you’ll love The Big Red Rooster solely because of the dub sound of the keys. This reggae style of playing catches the upbeat in some songs and creates a relaxing and steady tempo behind the more dominant electric guitar riffs. Ted Lauck, the lead guitarist, is so smooth with his fingers that every chord progression seems effortless. His soloing skills are superb and entertaining.
The venue provided an up close and personal view of the band, and the personalities of each member became visible through the passion they found in their instrument. The band is young and full of energy, and I’m curious to see how they’ll mature.
The Big Red Rooster’s next performance is on March 11. If you haven’t either heard The Big Red Rooster live or picked up a copy of its new CD, “Live-A-Bit,” I’ve got bad news for you. You don’t know what’s cooler than being cool.
Jordan Bolch is a sophomore philosophy major. He can be reached at [email protected].
