Live Concert Review-The Spill Canvas, The Composure, Recession-Mr. Small's-7.21.10
By Stephanie Desmond
Published: July 25, 2010

As the lights came down and a melodic piano intro played over the speakers, the packed room at Mr. Small’s began to cheer in anticipation of the leading act on June 21. The four members of The Spill Canvas stormed the stage to start their set off with “Polygraph, Right Now.” 

Unfortunately, it seemed to take nearly the entire set for both the band and audience to feel any kind of excitement. With little interaction, awkward melodic pauses between songs and lead singer Nick Thomas’ intense demeanor (does the guy ever smile?), it was difficult to feel anything but restlessness until the last few selections. 



Things started to pick up when they played early hit “The Tide” from 2004’s ‘Sunsets and Car Crashes.’ They followed it with the more recent single “Our Song” from their latest EP release, ‘Realities.’

Just as things seemed to be turning around, Thomas began a string of solo acoustic songs. He went with another oldie, “Self Conscious,” which Thomas said is still special to him today. “It’s crazy when I think how long ago I wrote this and that it still continues to make new meanings,” he said.  

Finally Thomas saved things by beefing up the audience interaction. He said that Mr. Small’s is one of their favorite places to play, “no lie,” and that he’s enjoying these side shows as a break from their current tour with the Goo Goo Dolls since they get to play songs they usually aren’t able to. Halfway through “Lullaby,” the rest of the band joined him onstage to finish off the show with some energy. They began to get the crowd clapping along to songs like “Staplegunned” and “All Over You,” leading up to a encore chant that began before the guys could even get off stage. They finished off with “All Hail the Heartbreaker,” which had the audience singing along, leading to a rare exchange of smiles between Thomas and drummer Joe Beck.  

The Spill Canvas actually started as a side project for Thomas while in another band. Since then, the band has released eleven albums and EPs and participated in countless tours with some of the biggest names on the scene.  

Up before The Spill Canvas was local act The Composure. The power-pop quartet played a 20 minute set that included songs like “You and Me” and “Stop, Now Start Again,” that had the audience clapping along the whole time. Guitarist Seth Milly (formerly of The I Drive) is the most recent addition to the ever-changing lineup and was the most interactive of the band. He said lead Paul Menotiades was “scared.” Recently signed to label Modern Short Stories, the guys will be releasing their first CD, ‘Strings Attached,’ this fall and are heading to Los Angeles to do some recording.  

Another local band, Recession, started off the late show (8 p.m. start). Although they played to a more modest crowd before the room filled, they started the night off well with a more Indie sound than the other bands. Lead singer Joey Bucci bounced from guitar to keyboards while taking plenty of time to talk to the crowd. With a set that included a cover of “Tik Tok,” Bucci announced that the band only had one more show and a CD release before the end of a five-year stint together. Although it did not quite evoke the abundant sympathy he had hoped for, Bucci kept trying, joking that he needed something since it’s hard having a “fat kid as a lead singer.”