Don’t show up late to see fun — the pop music trio that breaks all kind of musical rules — or you’re going to miss Steel Train. That would be a shame, because Steel Train is running on a fast track. Don’t believe it? Just check out all the buzz about the band on various music boards and a YouTube clip showing them with Conan O’Brien during a three-minute version of his show.
| IF YOU GO |
| Steel Train, supporting fun (with the Postelles) |
| » Where: 9:30 Club, 815 V St. NW |
| » When: 6:30 p.m. Thursday |
| » Info: $15; 800-955-5566; 930.com |
“2010 was our best year to date,” said Evan Winiker, bassist for the New Jersey-born band, which has one alumnus in fun. “2011 is going to be a great year, guaranteed.”
As the band tours behind its latest album “Turnpike Ghost,” it’s clear Winiker might be correct, as evidenced by its growing fan base. As the band tours in a support role, Winiker said, fans should expect some new and old songs perhaps mixed with a cover of Tom Petty’s classic tune “American Girl” or even “Dancing in the Dark” from fellow New Jersey son Bruce Springsteen.
You can play the “sound like” game — as many critics do and liken the band’s sound to that of the Killers or Arcade Fire. The problem with that is that the many elements of the band’s sound make it unquestionably their own.
Winiker said that is intentional because he and the other band members want to play music that sounds like happy, peppy, get-in-your-face music that they enjoyed as fans.
“We like to make music that inspires fans, that they enjoy,” he said. “This is such a new age with Twitter and stuff, it’s pretty amazing to see [what fans say about the band’s music]. We are definitely Internet-savvy and read all the blog posts.”
Although one wonders if that may soon become a bit more difficult as the band continues to film videos and tour.
“We have been really excited about all the tours this year,” he said. “We always find new fans coming out.”
