Mike Grubbs of Wakey! Wakey!
Welcome to my new obsession
I have to admit, I was a little bit nervous when I was asked to cover Wakey! Wakey! I didn’t know what to expect from a band that has “as seen on One Tree Hill” on their cd. And a frontman that was a regular on that show. I liked what I had listened to, but nothing had stuck out and I knew I was going to be writing a review for them. I wanted to do them justice.
I needn’t have worried. I should have guessed, you can’t even say the name Wakey! Wakey! without smiling.
Singer Michael Grubbs is not only funny, witty, smart and charming on stage. He is also an extremely talented musician. Everything – the stories, the jokes, the music – comes as naturally as breathing to Grubb. He has a beautiful voice and plays amazing piano.
While much of the show was Grubbs talking, and being silly and playing beautiful songs he could not have put on such a fantastic show without a strong band behind him. Tanya Buziak provides perfect backing vocals, particularly for the song Brooklyn, a hauntingly beautiful song from their War Sweater EP. Rebecca (violin) joined Grubbs on stage to perform a stripped down version of Got It All Wrong. This tour version of Got It All Wrong is actually much better than what’s on the album. Another highlight was Grubbs on stage solo, playing a cover of Girl’s Just Wanna Have Fun. There was really very little to complain about this show overall, other than beer prices.
I closed my eyes and a smile spread across my face the minute they started playing. I didn’t stop smiling until they were done. I’m gushing, I know. I just love this band.
It was a rare, perfect show. It was so good that, although I had used my press pass for the early show, I bribed security with Jim Beam to get into the 2nd 21+ show as well. I couldn’t pass on another chance to see Wakey!, I doubt I ever will again.
[Supporting bands Pretty & Nice and Jukebox the Ghost were also quite awesome. Wakey!Wakey! just rocked my world so much that I had to give them all my love this time. Sorry guys, next time.]
