The Pride

Issue date: 4/17/07 Section: Entertainment

Media Credit: Sophie Brink Dan Layus, lead singer of Augustana

Media Credit: Sophie Brink Justin South, drummer of Augustana

Media Credit: Sophie Brink Johnny McDald, lead singer for Vega4

Media Credit: Sophie Brink Gavin Fox, bass player for Vega4

Media Credit: Sophie Brink Dan Layus, lead singer for Augustana

If I had a dictionary to define my collective concert experiences throughout my lifetime, it would read as the following: Augustana: San Diego-based band, and one of my all-time favorite bands. San Diego House of Blues: one of my favorite venues, period. That said, the sold-out Augustana show at San Diego House of Blues last Saturday night should have been no-brainer and should have gone down in the dictionary as one of my favorite concerts ever. Unfortunately, though, that was not the case.

On their final night of touring the states, a sweaty grip of Irish, Canadian and Kiwi musicians promisingly known as Vega4 mounted the stage as the sold-out venue swelled with estrogen. With beer in hand, Vega4 frontman Johnny McDald wooed the plastic crowd while the lyrics to "Traffic Jam" hung against the bright foggy air. Priming the audience for the headlining band, Augustana, Vega4 attempted to bring their "A" game, but it sounded as if something got lost in the execution.

What I had hoped would become the beginning of a musical romance, quickly fizzled out throughout their set as in my opinion, Vega4 progressed into nothing more than a Snow Patrol cover band. Though I can appreciate the notable chunks of existential lyrics they proclaimed, the extra sparkle and magical connection between Vega4 and I were nowhere to be found. Continuing their set with "You & Me," Vega4 dedicated the poignant tune to Augustana, their newly found road buddies. With Jared Palomar (bass/vocals) and "South" (drummer) of Augustana sitting backstage stage right, they, along with a handful of stagehands, rocked out to the mellow and slightly poppy ditty.

Johnny's seductive vocals were a pleasant distraction from the harrowing audience, but were hardly enough to grab my full attention. "Billions of Lights," a delicate rock song, premiered a beautiful medley of lights flashing and dancing all over, before segueing smoothly to the members of Augustana waltzing onstage with a large candleholder and a light-post on which the drummer of Augustana entertained a brief pole dance.

With the house lights dimmed, the audience swayed in a sentiment of nostalgia. As the gathering sang along with the foreign quartet, Vega4 rounded out their set with their ever popular single "Life is Beautiful" which has been featured on "Grey's Anatomy" and "One Tree Hill." Though Johnny (vocals/guitar), Gavin Fox (bass), Bryan McLellan (drums) and Bruce Gainsford (guitar) are off to a good start with their latest album "You & Others," I feel that they still have a long way to go.

As the stage cleared and a fresh coat of instruments and gear adorned the stage accordingly, the chants of anticipation only grew louder. A few seconds later, the curtains lifted to reveal the striking members of Augustana. Huddled in their own individual areas on stage, the band opened with "Wasteland" off their 2005 album "Stars and Boulevards," and then continued the set with "Bullets" and "Hotel Roosevelt." Even though all the right notes came at all the right times, something was off for me in the world of Augustana. Lacking virtually any relationship with the audience, watching the 5 lanky guys play, I couldn't help but get the feeling that they were bored. As the hour-plus long set droned on, I was sadly disappointed as I felt the showmanship of Augustana was nothing more than a poor rendition of their two-year-old CD.

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