Concert Review: Gurriers w/ Native Sun at DC9
By WTJU Rock
By Rebecca Muller
Interview by Rebecca Muller (AKA Fontana Mercury) with Gurriers will be aired on Black Circle Revolution, Thursday, March 26, 11 p.m. Enjoy her review of their March 13 concert at DC9 nightclub in Washington, DC, below.
After a happy and relaxed interview with Irish post-punk band Gurriers’ frontman Dan Hoff in the green room of DC9 in Washington, DC, I make my way to the front of the stage to get an unobstructed view of the opening band, Brooklyn’s Native Sun. My first time seeing them, I am immediately struck with their quintessential late 70’s New York City CBGB-era black leather jacket rock-n-roll style. And when they begin to play, they seal the deal and complete their thoughtfully constructed visual image with a sonic delivery of the same nostalgic, timeless feel of that scene and era—while still sounding new and relevant.
Most of Native Sun’s tunes give a New York Dolls or Ramones feel, although one tune during their (way too short) eight-song set, called “I Need Nothing” is an ode to the jangly tambourine Brit-pop of the likes of Stone Roses or Happy Mondays—a style of rock that I adore, and consequently it was my favorite song of theirs of the night. A tune that really shows off their range, it made it to my playlist on last week’s episode of Carry the Zero. Listen back via WTJU’s recent shows archive.
Cut to about 30 minutes later, Gurriers take the stage! The band walk through the super hyped up multi-generational crowd (something I love about going to live shows these days—just as many of us Gen Xers and old timers as there are young folks!) as the Frankie Valli tune “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” pulses over the house PA. The audience enthusiastically sing along “I LOVE YOU BAYYY-BEEE” as the lads make their way to the stage. . . and then they rip into their first tune of the night, “Nausea”. . . and do not stop for a full hour plus of raw, intense, yet beautifully orchestrated post punk rock that sounds like nothing else you’ve heard and yet everything all at once.
The vibe at DC9 is one of unity and joy, Gurriers conducting a masterclass in connecting with their audience. Gurriers play through most of their 2024 album Come and See, including “Top of The Bill”, “No More Photos”, and my personal fave, the ironic and slightly self-deprecating (hey, I thought that was the Brits’ job?!) “Approachable”. No encore given. No encore required. They give the audience everything they didn’t know they needed all in one fell swoop.
We leave DC9 feeling super satisfied; There’s nothing better than leaving a tiny night club in the big city all sweaty and happy after communally bouncing around and being witness to some of the best post-punk music being made at the moment. Thank you for crossing the pond to “Come and See” us here in the States, Gurriers! We love you!
