According to Derek Taylor, the Beatles’ publicist, “Being born in Scotland carries with it certain responsibilities.” Perhaps that’s why so many distinctive bands come from there — Big Country, Belle & Sebastian and, most recently, We Were Promised Jetpacks. In their own respective manners, they tangle melancholy and jubilation, thoughtful brooding and boisterousness. We Were Promised Jetpacks load up on passionate singing, attractive melodies, a thundering yet precise instrumental approach and a touch of variety to keep sameness (and overwhelming angst) from setting in. And with that burr in the vocals, they sound Scottish, to boot. Also on the bill is the Lonely Forest, a Washington band whose arty pop methodology should dovetail nicely with We Were Promised Jetpacks. Bear Hands start things off at 9 p.m. at the Grog Shop (2785 Euclid Hts. Blvd., Cleveland Hts., 216.321.5588, grogshop.gs). Tickets: $10 advance, $12 day of show. — Mark Keresman
This article appears in Mar 10-16, 2010.
