"Devil in Your Eyes" by MiniBoone 

Brooklyn is nearly saturated by a revolving door of bands plugging in nightly projecting some image and sound that sometimes makes them indistinguishable. But then there is MiniBoone, a fresh band with an infectious energy, who lit up the minimalist Fort Useless venue last night.

MiniBoone delivered a joyous and loud assault on the ears with their unpredictable and reckless punk energy wrapped tightly in catchy pop tunes. If the most exhilarating arcade pinball game were to be personified by a band, it would be MiniBoone for their fun and in-your-face music. For this, They were recently named one of L Magazine's Top 8 NYC bands to hear.

MiniBoone attacks each song with a spring-loaded punch by the 5 members including, drummer Taylor, bassist Sam, Doug, Craig, and James, who switch between guitars, keyboard, and auxiliary percussion. They wail, scream, knock around themselves and the audience while maintaining contagious melodies and frantic beats.

Within the first 10 seconds of the set, Craig already broke a string to which James, raising his fist and jokingly growled, “We’re just that intense!” All Jokes aside, they really are, but their intensity is matched by how well they play.

Within the mix of heavy bass lines, quick rim shot tapping, spacey synths and the Ooo’s, Aaaaah’s and Sha-La-La’s, MiniBoone carved out a sonic space unique to them that many musical tastes can sink into. 

Sam recalled once playing a show on bill with various hardcore bands to a crowd of Jersey locals who, I can vouch, do not warm up to new acts easily. However, despite MiniBoone’s more A.D.D. than angry vibes, Sam said, “We played loud and fast and they didn’t eat us alive.”

Though MiniBoone has only been in this formation for eight months, they could have fooled me for 8 years. Their songs stop and go, speed up, slow down, and change direction, but each member compliments the others by steering the songs directly where they need to go. The audience was along for each twist on the ride and by the way MiniBoone played, I think this ride is going a long way.