Gifted Horses
Connecticut Old State House
Hartford
Oct. 4, 2024
Thanks to the beautiful weather we’ve had this month, it felt like summer was going to last all year long. All good things must come to an end though, and Gifted Horses gave the last lunchtime concert performance the season.
The band, which calls New York City home, consists of Drone on bass and vocals, Bam on lead guitar and vocals, and Chip on drums. The bass player had to miss the performance though, leading Bam to joke that for the day they were only Gift Horse.
The one thing I noticed during the concert was how many Black people stopped during the concert to rock out. Rock and roll nowadays is often considered “White people music,” despite its roots both in African American rhythm and blues and its beginnings among performers such as Chuck Berry and Sister Rosetta Tharpe. But everyone has their favorite “white boy song” (mine is “Dance Dance” by Fallout Boy), so Black people still do like rock music despite reports to the contrary.
The white boys were jamming on Friday, and everyone stopped to notice.
While they played a couple of covers, most of Gifted Horses’ songs were originals. They were designed to showcase the talents of the band. In particular, Bam’s vocals were both aggressive and soothing. His gravelly voice wound itself around the accompanying music until the right moment, punching through as he climbed up the octaves and his whole body shook with the music. Chip was also flawless on the drums, keeping the energy high and driving with his drumming.
Not only was the music danceable; the lyrics resonated too.
I like your pretty face/I like your pretty skin
Knocking on your door/You better let me in
I saw a hungry wolf/He couldn’t grab your door
Looking in your window/He’s thinking, he’s thinking
What is under your sheep skin?
What is underneath it all?
I wasn’t sure who was the threat in the song. It seemed like the hungry wolf was an ex lurking around, yet it was the person he’s gone to see as the one wearing sheepskin. I like those kinds of metaphorical lyrics, because they allow me to imagine my own story based on how the music makes me feel. And since the same song can make me feel different ways, it’s like a new story every time I listen.
Bam was also talented on the guitar. My son has been learning guitar for over a year, so I’ve become familiar with some of the terminology — palm muting, string bending, strumming … So I have a better idea of what goes into making good music, and it’s nothing short of impressive.
Gifted Horses was a great, fun way to end the Summer Concert Series at the Old State House. I hope they didn’t take the warm weather away with them when they took down the stage for the last time.
NEXTJamil goes to see what all the hubbub is about regarding the Joker sequel.
