<p>A last-minute replacement for The Shins' James Mercer, Dr. Dog kicked off Thursday's Nike-sponsored, and precariously-named &quot;Bandz in the Hood&quot; lineup at the Wonder Ballroom. The five-piece outfit, led by guitarist Scott McMicken and co-lead singer and bassist Toby Leaman, set the tone for another night-long music extravaganza, mobilizing the crowd (quite literally) with their own blend of bluesy psychedelica and dreamy, Beach Boys-influenced harmonies. Ranging from those candy-coated oohs and aahs to raspy, whiskey-soaked growls, Leaman and McMicken's vocals kept the set fresh, while fellow bandmates provided an energized, and remarkably tight, backdrop for a not-to-be-missed live set. Despite lukewarm album reviews, on stage, Dr. Dog's upbeat rhythms and ska-inspired moves summon the most obstinate standpat to get-up-and dance (and bounce and bob).</p> <p><img width="500" height="358" alt="Scott McMiken" src="/uploads/Image/DrDog_1_sm.jpg" /></p> <p>(Above: Dr. Dog's McMiken)</p> <p>Headlining the show, Portland-based duo The Helio Sequence put on an equally mesmerizing performance, delivering a hypnotic (and unsurprisingly flawless) set of reverb-drenched electro-pop. A year since the band last played here in their hometown, audience reception was at its peak in the Wonder, particularly during an encore acoustic performance of &quot;Tomorrow Never Knows.&quot; Throughout the set, singer/ guitarist Brandon Summers and drummer Benjamin Weikel proved again and again that two can sound as good as four, or better. While laptop loops and shimmering, synth-laced riffs created a soundscape at once both dense and airy, Summers' newly-recharged voice was at its most winsome and lovely, and Weikel's drumming-- well, that was just phenomenal to listen to, and to watch.</p> <p><img width="500" height="339" alt="Brandon Summers" src="/uploads/Image/helio_1_sm.jpg" /></p> <p>(Above: The Helio Sequence's Summers)</p> true 2009-10-02T16:39:43-07:00 2009-09-18T16:39:43-07:00 false 590 true 2009-09-18T16:39:43-07:00

Dr. Dog and The Helio Sequence opened the first full night of action with a free show at the Wonder Ballroom.

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