REVIEW – 10 years ago, I was listening to a podcast called Ola’s Kool Kitchen. I will go on record and say I hate modern radio. I despise it. I feel shows like Ola have such a freedom and randomness to what they do that they feel authentic. On this show, she played a song by a local Ohio band called Haliburton. I remember just dropping everything I did to listen to this song. From the opening moments to the last seconds this song captured my attention. I reviewed the ep the song was on and hailed them as the next big thing. The sad thing about Nerd Table is, they are putting out great cds but it just feels that they are still in the same place they were a decade ago. If people took a chance and listened to “ Chasing the Bronco”, or any other release they would instantly get into this band and feel their passion and drive. This is a band that I feel defines success by still putting out music. Adam Casto, the lead singer has been the poster child for so long for honest music. This is a singer who does not sing about catchy topics with absurd lyrics. He sings about what he believes at times and at others he is far off the coast of reality but has a band that carries him in those uncertain waters with such fun. When I heard that they put out a live cd, I was the first one who felt that this was the perfect showcase for a non fan to really get the vibe of what they are doing. The purpose of a live album is to signal what you miss out on when you are not there live. When I listened to this live album I felt I missed out on a party that really came through from first track to ending. The live set opens with a fun little banger called “ Critical Hit”. It is here that you feel the emotion and passion that this band has. At times it feels like a nervous energy of sorts. Guitarist Nick Nighbert really shines during this set. His playing has a confidence to it that is both inviting and also compliments Casto and the other members of the band. Michael Flowers has a powerful drum sound that is not overbearing but gets the emotion front and center.
David Lawler on bass is such an odd fit. Not him as a person but the way the bass comes through. At times the bass playing stands out and at others it seems to be drowned by the guitar sound. It feels like they were going for a later day Tad feel where you had to assume the bass player was there during certain tracks. Now, comes by big negative. This is my first experience of Nerd Table live and the set list was missing songs that as a band I was expecting. I understand you cannot have every song on there, but “ Haliburton” and “ Bloody Glove” being left out? If you are a fan of the band, this cd is a thank you for carrying that flag. This band live is flat out fun. They are not over the top or offering anything they do not believe in. This is a band that speaks from their heart and plays from their soul. I found myself many times just closing my eyes and trying to get a feel of the show that this was taped at. At times, you just hear the sweat falling down and the band just having a blast in the moment. Nerd Table just seems to fight this unwinnable battle. They are talented and great musicians but they cannot break through. I feel a band like Local H or maybe The Pixies should invite this band to do a tour in 2021. I feel this band in front of a big fanbase who are unfamiliar with them could win them fans over very fast. This band live plays like they mean it, like they want it, like they know it is there for the taking. Nerd Table is this decade’s answer to Fugazi. This is a DIY band that puts out great music and it is a fucking shame that they are not in a bigger light. In the case of this live album, a much bigger stage. As far as a review of 1 to 10. My rating is go out and buy a Nerd Table album, any one of them and sit back and let this band show you how great they are.
