Name: City Lights

Genre: Punk Rock

At the Webster Theatre: 05/17/2009

Show Info: Doors: 6:00pm | Buy Tickets

Origin: Columbus, Ohio

Myspace Page: /thisiscitylights

A modern day method for checking a bands size and reach is Myspace play counts. Bands on a national stage usually have north of one million plays and regional bands fall in somewhere below that line. As I entered the Myspace for City Lights, I was blown away by the awesome looking page and powerful music streaming from the player. I was shocked when I saw the play counts well below these standards but then I realized something, the band only has one six song EP that was released three days ago (April 28th, 2009).

With this now in my head I knew that this band could have a big future and the music was really all I had to prove it. There is of course the element of modern day alternative rock similar to bands such as All Time Low, We The Kings or Cute Is What We Aim For, but unlike those bands, City Lights brings with them a real punk element. The most notable punk influence in the band is drummer Sean’s drumming style. It is fast paced and unlike many other bands these days. It reminds me of early Travis Barker style drumming with fills that make you think, “What?”

Despite an extremely colorful Myspace page, the only thing besides the music samples and Youtube videos present are Twitter feeds. This popular social networking platform has been adopted by all members of this band with six separate feeds on the site. One for each band member and then a general band account. A bands ability to stay well connected to their audience has never been more important and it is great to see young bands like this identifying that and using the internet to their advantage. I look forward to seeing City Lights when they perform alongside Sparks the Rescue and Mandy K on May 17th at the Webster Underground.