By Sarah Spencer
Safety Suit returned to Little Rock for a Big Rockin' time! On November 11, 2009, Juanita's hosted Safety Suit, the alternative rock band from Tulsa, Okla., now based in Nashville. Less than two months prior, Safety Suit entertained the ladies at Little Rock's annual Girl's Night. They are definitely a band females gravitate towards being a handsome, young, all-male band whose entire debut album, entitled Life Left to Go, is seemingly either a love song, a break up song, or a take me back/I miss you song.
The band is comprised of lead singer/songwriter/guitarist Doug Brown, drummer Tate Cunningham, bassist Jeremy Henshaw, and lead guitarist Dave Garofalo. Safety Suit did not have an opening artist touring with them that night, so newly-formed local band, Townsend, was able to fill that slot and ready the crowd. Townsend did cover songs and original songs to entertain the largely, young, female fans, numbering about 150. Lead singer, Townsend Talbot is a talented, young lady with an equally talented band behind her but, unfortunately, I found more negatives than positives with her performance. She was sarcastic with the crowd while sporting sloppy baggy jeans, a t-shirt, and a ponytail. (All I'm sayin' is, she could of dressed for the occasion.) She also seemed like she had nothing to prove because she was already hot stuff in her mind. Other than that, I enjoyed Townsend which included David Hiltenbrand on bass, Terrance Richardson on drums, and new lead guitarist, Alec Tripp, on his debut night with the band.
The seated, general admission audience suddenly grew more anxious to see who they came to for and delivered about 25-30 members to the front of the stage for a better view. It was time for the show to begin so I took my place down front with the rest. Safety Suit came on stage ready to entertain and have some fun.
Doug Brown was gracious and charming while being conversational with the moderately-sized Wednesday night group. His soft and delicate yet, strong and masculine singing voice was compelling. They started their set with a non-love song, not on their album, entitled "Crash," which urged us repeatedly to "Don't stop!" It was a great high-energy song to begin with. Dave Garofalo started the show early on with his tongue-wagging and high-flying kicks. He was fun to watch. Brown dedicated their newest single, "Annie," to "any ladies in the house," and asked if we would call and request it on the radio.
Next, Brown appreciatively dedicated the love song "Anywhere But Here" to the entire crowd, which has the line, "I'd rather be anywhere but here without you." The crowd's excitement rose with their Top 40 hit "Someone Like You," followed by their chart topping single "Stay," which made it to #1 on VH1's Top 20 Countdown, which, by the way, Brown thanked us for.
For the climax of the show they got the floor crowd jumping by jumping themselves in unison during the "oh oh" part during the song, "Apology." Afterward, the band left the stage and Brown stayed for a solo performance with an acoustic guitar. The song was inspired by his brother, someone "just like me but, 100 times cooler." It was described as one we haven't heard yet entitled, "You Don't See Me," dedicated to all the shy people. The band came back and ended the night with "Gone Away," a powerful ballad with a soft, slow beginning which crescendos in force and volume to a beautiful, poignant farewell. After the show, Brown asked the crowd to meet them at the merch table because they "wanted to meet every single person in here." These Southern gentlemen were so fun and talented and their performance was one to remember. They showed us they have a definite musical " Life Left To Go."
Setlist was as follows:
