Billboard Style played Union Pool

Billboard Style played Union Pool in celebration of their debut album Pull of the Moon.

Just before 10:00 P.M., the band known as Billboard Style packed the tiny stage at Union Pool and played a quick set in support of their debut record, Pull of the Moon. The band is a partnership between Ben Guterl (of the band Forth Wanderers) and Dan Howard (of the group Victoryland) and onstage they've got a trio of extra musicians that help bring these slowed down guitar pop tunes to life with waltzing melodies and straightforward rhythms. The duo met nearly a decade ago when they both attended Oberlin College and even played together in the past, but in more recent years as their other bands got more attention and their own songwriting matured and became more confident, they got back together and spent time working on tracks that would eventually turn into their debut album. Each tight-knit tune had crisp percussion and hazy guitar tones that had the room bopping along with the fizzy choruses that buzzed with energy from a crowd who was very excited to be there. The two traded off on vocals as well, as they do on the LP, and at times it was a little tough to catch Howard behind the kit due to Union Pool's overflowing crowd. Still, it was a homecoming show after all and getting to see the band celebrate their record was a real joy, onstage their smiles were brimming from er to ear and it was clear that it was a special night for the band as well. Lead single "Meloxicam" was a grooving tune that gave the night a bit of a jolt of energy that got people excited, the sinewy guitar lines cutting through the room to enrapture everyone in their path. The self-titled tune "Billboard Style" was the real favorite of the night and clearly the one that showed the most promise from the band. Just when it felt like they had hit their stride and the songs were starting to lock in to place, the band said their good byes and the show came to and end only thirty minutes after it started (not a huge surprise since the album's runtime is also under half-an-hour), leaving me wanting a little more. Billboard Style showcases the talent that should make them a band to watch over the next few months (especially if they get asked to open bigger shows like they'll do for This Is Lorelei at Brooklyn Paramount in 2027) and they're an exciting one at that with a show that feels just on the verge of cracking open and letting them really become their full selves.