Spike Hill
Friday, October 16^th, 2009
By: Ross Edwards

Kevin Johnston is a powerful singer and songwriter. His epic rock originals could easily become corny if not for the honest, mature approach by Johnston and band, steering clear of blatant pop influence without sounding unfamiliar. They stick to the tried and true: the catchy songs, interesting and unpretentious melodies, clear arrangements, reserved playing, all spoke for themselves. 

In the middle of an obnoxiously packed Spike Hill, the theatrical mood was set by enthusiastic fans singing along and Johnston’s lyrical melancholy. On “Shed Some Light,” Johnston paints a pleading portrait of shame and confusion that everyone relates to: “The things that I want and the things that I’ve done can’t be spelled out to just anyone/Ashamed to admit that the thing I’ve become is too dark to see.”  This level of beauty, conviction, and mass appeal are a very rare thing.

The band consisted of Kirk Schoenherr (of Smother Party and Third Space) with that precious, spaceman Schoenherr sound, Spencer Zahn on electric bass, and Sam Levin (also of Smother Party) on drums. Zahn’s contagious smile was as important to the band as his understated bass playing, and Levin, as always, had the power and control to adapt perfectly to any musical environment. Johnston’s voice is perhaps better left untouched, since it can only be described in the cheesiest terms: majestic, soaring, effortless, impassioned, etc. In other words, it’s the real deal, and from the look on the faces in the crowd everyone else felt it too. His performance brimmed with everything worthwhile about pop music, and left the crowd hungry for more.