2000s indie pop band Silversun Pickups return to Dallas for a night full of energy.
On a dreary Friday, fans of alternative band, Silversun Pickups line up outside of House of Blues in Dallas. Formed in 2000, members Brian Aubert, Nikki Monninger, Christopher Guanlao, and Joe Lester brought the energy as if it was their first show.
On the hazy stage, peeking out is an amp head with the words painted on, “Protect the Dolls”. The band joins the stage reflecting off the dark red lights. Every member, especially Monninger, greeted the crowd with a wide smile before transitioning into their first song, “Well Thought Out Twinkles”. Every song from beginning to end was performed with such vibrancy.
Recently Silversun Pickups gained traction from Tik Tok with their hit song “Lazy Eye” from their 2006 album Carnavas. Their slow build accompanied with ambient fuzz is similar to The Smashing Pumpkins hit song, “1979”. Monninger and Aubert’s coarse vocals along with shoegazy guitar feels unlike any song.
With their unique name brings a unique story from a liquor store named Silversun that one of the band’s friends frequents. Going late at night the friend would make a “Silversun pickup”, but rather than it being a physical place, the band thinks of it as a state of mind.
Their eighteen song setlist had people headbanging from start to finish while holding their half full drinks in the air. The room was filled with long-time fans as well as the recent Tik Tok fans. Regardless of how long everyone has been a fan for, everyone felt like a small family in such a big room. Although Silversun Pickups aren’t a widely known band, everyone who at least knows one song by them can all agree they deserve to be huge.
I am a Touring Concert Photographer based in Dallas. I have a love for physical media such as collaging and mixed media. I personally work with Laredo Two as their photographer and Your Neighbors as their touring photographer! My top three artists are easily The Backseat Lovers, Radiohead and Inhaler! When I'm not shooting, I’am playing animal crossing or playing guitar.
