The Fray & Seasick Mama 10.13.2013 The Wellmont Theater

Words by Martin Halo | Photos by George Kopp

Put down your biology books and play hookie on homework because Sunday was family night at the Wellmont Theater. Pop group The Fray was joined by indie locals Seasick Mama to run through a set of Top 40 radio jingles. The show started around 8pm as Bloomfield Ave swelled with teenagers flocking to the doors of the Montclair concert venue. Seasick Mama, which sports the name of their sultry lead singer, offered a brash interpretation of rock n’ roll’s promised sexy upper lip from their hipster Brooklyn roots. The band is currently supporting their EP Dead Like Money.

The headliner promptly took the stage at 9pm. Led by Issac Slade and guitarist Joe King the band compiled a set that included their most famous hits with new material that they are road testing.

Backlit by stage floods and sitting at a worn, almost Junior High, looking piano, Slade’s vocals to “Over My Head (Cable Car)” echoed throughout the rafters. The band has been busy working on new material for an upcoming LP in 2014. Since their Denver, Colorado origins as leading church services in a Christian upbringing the songwriting partnership of Slade and King have produced three full-lengths since 2005.

Additional set list selections included “Heaven Forbid”, “Love Don’t Die”, “Heartbeat”, and to cap the evening “How to Safe A Life.”
The Wellmont will continue to be bustling this week with Jeff Beck joining Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys for an anticipated evening of a legendary catalog.