By Jenna French
When the Hawk, a local band, played at the Rudyard Kipling Aug. 26, it was obvious that this was the band that fans were here to see. People who had been sitting in the back of the bar suddenly surged forward, leaving not a single person seated when the band took the stage.
But the Hawk didn’t look any different than most bands — five people with instruments and microphones. Granted, there was an upright bass in the corner, but they were otherwise unobtrusive. Until they started playing, that is.
The Hawk blew the crowd away from the first note. It was loud but still musical, and it completely and utterly rocked.
College-aged fans of the Louisville band Hawk, create a solid fan base for the hometown rockers. Students check out the live show because of the immense energy that nearly becomes tangible when the music starts. The members pour themselves into the music and the crowd can tell.
Lead singer Josh Hawkins is full of life. Amazing guitar riffs are littered throughout the music. However, the most musically notable were the sounds of the upright bass player, Elizabeth Adams, and keyboardist Woody Mancini. Near the end of the set, the Hawk invited different instruments on stage, including a trombone, trumpet, accordion and electric violin. The mix of musical sounds ensured the crowd would never think of the Hawk as “just another band.”
The songs are also easy to sing along and dance to, and the crowd took advantage of that.
Much of the crowd had obviously heard the band before and knew what to expect, giving the environment an air of familiarity. Even those who had never seen or heard the band before felt like members of the family because the musicians pulled everyone into the show.
The Hawk consists of five members. Hawkins, formerly of Waterproof Blonde, is the lead vocalist and guitarist. Adams plays upright and electric bass and is a U of L student. Malcolm McLaughlin lends his talents on guitar as well, and Mancini plays keyboard. The drummer is Matt Greenwood, also a U of L student, whose background in percussion has lent him quite a foundation for the rock styles of this band. It’s apparent that the musicians are all incredibly talented, and the way they mesh creates a sound that is hard to describe.
The Hawk has a unique sound, but they could at times be compared to O.A.R. They have the ability to switch from one style of music to another mid-song, which is interesting and fun for the crowd. Another comparable band is Ludo, the likeness stemming from just the sheer energy of their live show. Even if you’ve never heard the band, you find yourself drawn into the music because you can see the passion in the face of each band member.
The Aug. 26 concert was the band’s first show back from a hiatus. Even after taking a break, the band hasn’t lost its touch. The Hawk just went into the studio to record some new songs, so look for a CD soon. Check http://www.thehawklovesyou.com for more info about the band.
Photo gallery: The Hawk soars above local music (Photos by Matt Schauer)
