It's ok, you can rest assured, rock is not dead. Nope, in fact it's raging strong in a band that's been packing clubs throughout Kansas City for years. The band I speak of is The Architects, and they recently packed another club in KC, this time supporting a little group you may have heard of: Rancid.

What better way to spend a Sunday night, than in a crammed club, with no ventilation, no a/c and an incredible line-up? Ok, I was only half kidding on that. I've seen the Archs many-a -times throughout my days in KC and each time they put on an amazing performance. Now I finally get to tell you about it.

Energized off of their recent release Vice, they have all the motivation in the world to simply go crazy. And that is exactly what they did. Perhaps the fact that it was so hot played in their favor because their music is not the kind that you can simply stand around to. Would you stand around to Rush or AC/DC? I don't think you would. I don't know if I would out-right compare their style to those of the '80s greats, but for the first-time listener that I brought along with me, she did hear some similarities to those incredible bands that shaped our parents' generation. So many bands out there call themselves "rock." But that begs the question "whose rock?" Because today's rock is not the same as it was in the past. However with these guys, I have complete faith that we're holding onto the classic rock that everyone needs in their life. There was nothing flashy about their performance, just like there's nothing flashy about their music. It's solid, simple, and honest. They didn't need anything special added on, all you need is their music and you'll be satisfied.

This band of brothers (literally - Brandon Phillips, Zach Phillips and Adam Phillips - make up 75% of the band) finds the proper way to displace their anger for society. The world has seen enough screamo bands to make our ears bleed. It's refreshing to hear a band that's angry and discusses it in a civilized way - through a gut-squeezing chorus, an intricately placed riff and series of chaotic beats.

Honestly I could have enjoyed just a few moments of cool air, every now and then. As I'm sure my hair looked GREAT all plastered to my face. But, in the end these boys are worth it. Because they've figured out how to make the kind of music our parents enjoyed and morph it into something that's causing a stir everywhere.

-Rachel Fredrickson

The Architects
w/ Rancid
The Beaumont Club
Kansas City, MO
July 27th, 2008

photo by Todd Zimmer

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