Ever been to a concert where you just couldn't understand the lyrics? The singer was just not clearly singing, the bass drum just overpowered everything or the sound guy just couldn't get it right. Or worse yet the lead spent most of his or her time screaming rather than singing? I know we all have experienced this because well quite frankly far too many live show go something like I've described above. But lucky me I recently took in a show with what I still feel is one of the best bands around, the Gufs.
I mentioned in a recent article that I'd moved to Milwaukee, and one of the reasons to be excited for me was that the Gufs are Wisconsin's favorite sons. And ever since I've arrived here I had been anxiously awaiting the chance to take in a show and finally the other night I got my chance. Of course as a newcomer to Wisconsin I had to figure our where in the world Wakuesha was, and once I figured that out I spent a good long time trying to figure out where Carroll College was, but alas that's an article to itself.
On to the show. All I have to say is, wow have they still got it. Despite what I felt was a little bit of rust (they haven't played out in quite sometime) to start the show, by the end I was clearly reminded that they are still one of the best. Unlike the shows I describe above, the Gufs put the lead as the focal point of the show and put the vocals in front of the accompanying instruments. All this makes sense because not only does Goran (the lead) have a great voice, but really they music should accompany the vocals. His voice fills the auditorium and with pure emotion as he pours out his heart felt songs. And even if you're new to the Gufs you can understand and comprehend the meaning of the lyrics of the songs.
In today's music it seems to me that band try to prove their worth with their instruments and completely neglect the lyrics and vocals. Well again the other night the Gufs proved their worth to me, and hopefully they'll do the same for you soon
