Up-and-coming indie pop rock band Smallpools makes a big splash at UCSD’s Porter’s Pub.
Rating: 5.0/5.0
Location: Porter’s Pub
Concert Date: April 16
Opening Acts: Fighting with Irons, Ed Ghost Tucker
Forming just under a year ago, Smallpools went from an unknown Hollywood-based band to a summertime anthem sensation with its lead single “Dreaming,” released May 2013. The four-man band — Sean Scanlon (lyrics, keyboard), Mike Kamerman (guitar), Joseph Intile (bass) and Beau Kuther (drums) — released their self-titled EP last July and have gone on to tour (or are scheduled to tour) with artists such as Grouplove, Walk the Moon and Neon Trees. A full length album is set to be released sometime in the summer. With such a formidable amount of success in such a small span of time, it was truly an act of God (or University Centers) to have Smallpools play at UCSD’s very own Porter’s Pub — absolutely free of cost for UCSD students.
The opening acts for Smallpools were bands that drew their roots from UCSD or the San Diego area. Fighting with Irons’ Paul Gillcrist (a recent UCSD alum) warmed up the crowd with ukulele-led songs new and old, hitting a high point with their lively cover of “Kids” by MGMT. Following Irons were the relaxing beach/indie sounds and three-part melodies of Ed Ghost Tucker, composed of two UCSD alums — brother and sister Cameron and Michaela Wilson. The band’s eclectic sounds showed a wide breadth of talent, and Ed Ghost Tucker will be sharing their talent with us all in a soon-to-be released EP.
Then came the much-anticipated and crowd-gathering Smallpools. If there is one thing that is special about going to a concert at Porter’s Pub, it is the intimacy that its small setting provides. Although you may or may not remember those DVC-headlined dances in the confines of Porter’s, keep in mind that the hot and sweaty dance floor has become a place to get up close and personal with a band or musician — and a place where the conversational and easygoing Smallpools can crack a few jokes.
“If you’re familiar with our band, we just piled through half of our songs,” Scanlon joked after opening with “Mason Jar” and “No Story Time” off their EP. “We’ll be out of here in seven more minutes!”
As the band progressed from unreleased songs about the “dumb parties in Hollywood” and living life, it was apparent that not only did the audience enjoy the performance but so did the band members. While making full use of the snug stage, with Kamerman and Intile head bobbing and dancing around, Smallpools showed an uncanny stage prowess and eagerness to entertain with catchy riffs and dancey indie-pop-rock music. And Smallpools especially showed that they’re a band to look out for and a band you want to catch a ride with on their continuing rise to fame.
In a time where EDM seems to be taking over the popular music of today’s youth, there is hope for a band like Smallpools, which embodies incredible talent, passion and a sense of humor that will always keep them grounded and personable. When Smallpools closed with none other than “Dreaming” and made the audience move, shake, groove and twist in every which way, there was only one question on everyone’s mind: Please, God, tell us when their full-length album is coming out.
