Oh Sees Wild Double Drummers Send Crowd into Orbit at Zebulon LA

John and Paul of The Oh Sees at Zebulon - Photo © 2018 Donna Balancia
John and Paul of The Oh Sees at Zebulon - Photo © 2018 Donna Balancia

By DONNA BALANCIA

When it comes to making a crowd crazy, few do it better than The Oh Sees.

Or Thee Oh Sees. Or OCS.

Whatever they call themselves these days, double drummers Paul and Dan, bassist Jeff and fearless leader, John Dwyer, rip it apart.

Drummer Dan of The Oh Sees in sync with Paul - Photo © 2018 Donna Balancia
Drummer Dan of The Oh Sees in sync with Paul – Photo © 2018 Donna Balancia

With two sets of drums, The Oh Sees are a little different than other bands in that respect. It’s remarkable to see the two drummers keeping just about perfect time with one another. For extended periods of time, with songs that last up to 10 minutes long, it’s nearly perfect the way the drummers keep the beat for the band and with each other.

The Oh Sees at Zebulon - Photo © 2018 Donna Balancia
The Oh Sees at Zebulon – Photo © 2018 Donna Balancia

What kind of practice does it take to be in sync on the kits?

“We’ve known each other a long time,” Dan confessed. “It took us about a month to get it.”

OK not so long, but Dan said that the month was filled with practices every day to get it right.

Drums and bass are the driving sounds with the Oh Sees - Photo © 2018 Donna Balancia
Drums and bass are the driving sounds with the Oh Sees – Photo © 2018 Donna Balancia

In the meantime, they coordinate with Jeff, whose good-tempered demeanor gives the bass lines a surfy feel and underscores Dwyer’s wild and avant-garde lead guitar and outer space, risk-taking synths.

The crowd takes its cue from the handsome frontman, whose antics make the fans crazy.

Oh Sees John Dwyer - Photo © 2018 Donna Balancia
Oh Sees John Dwyer – Photo © 2018 Donna Balancia

“John starts his head going and the place goes crazy,” said Eddie who came from Orange County to see his favorite band. “The Oh Sees are good because you can get out your frustrations and have fun in the pit.”

Openers were Pow! and Ice Balloons, whose frontman Sean Kennerly wore crazy insect-inspired headgear, apparently a homemade deal made from socks. The band features Dan Scinta, Kyp Malone, Sean Powell, Giselle Reiber and Rob Bryn.

Check out the Oh Sees video from Zebulon here: