Rob Nicholas Concert Review
House of Blues - 02/07/09
By: Matt Ginger
Spring had seemed right around the corner, and Rob Nicholas with his band put even more spring in my step. (That's saying quite a bit for a Midwesterner plagued with a bad case of cabin fever, on the first day over 50 degrees in months.)
The show started a little late, but it was hard to notice with the blues of "Diamond Jim Greene" holding down the stage. Once the show started, it was hard to sit still. At times Rob reminded me of Mike Doughty with a touch of Rob Thomas and at other times Jason Mraz and even some elements of String Cheese Incident at times.
With a very tight drummer, great bouncy bass lines and killer keyboard jams, the crowd moved and swayed to Rob Nicholas and his band. The show was simply too short for all the great energy these guys cranked out.
It was a fairly consise show and I think Rob showcased a little bit of everything from ballads to some fantastic improv jams. I would loved to see these guys again, although I don't know that the House of Blues Back Porch is a proper fit for some of the "unleashed" jam factor these guys displayed. I think they've got great stage presence, talant and songs that make you fight to sit still. With all of these factors and given the fantastic weather of the day, I couldn't help but wish the show was at a street fest or some type of outdoor festival. Although it was more like an intimate evening with Rob Nicholas on the back porch stage, they got the whole crowd involved and shouting for more.
It's been said you should always leave em' wanting more and Rob Nicholas and his band pulled it off handily.
Rob Nicholas Bio
A native of Chicago, Rob Nicholas has been writing and recording for nearly 10 years. Rob’s unique brand of fusion music comes from a vast respect and understanding of many types of music. You can hear influences from Latin Jazz to Delta Blues, from Pop to Classical. Rob always tries to be inventive and innovative.
Trying to play out as much as possible, Rob has been welcomed at various venues as a supporting act at The Red Room in Davenport, Iowa for G-love and the Special Sauce, Martyrs Chicago for Brian Vander Ark of the Verve Pipe and at Eastern Illinois University for Howie Day. Rob has also played in various places in Chicago such as the Cubbie Bear, The Double Door, and Subterranean.
Rob has bounced around a lot of projects in the past five years with the culmination of the 2006 release of “Secrets to be Told” under the group, Rob Nicholas and a Moments Notice. It was during this recording that Rob’s numerous styles were portrayed. Songs like, “In Hopes to Comprehend” and “Maya” grant some insight into how Rob tries to blend world music with Pop and Rock where as “Sitting Away” demonstrates Rob’s more singer/songwriter styles. Shortly after “Secrets to be Told” was released, A Moments Notice disbanded leaving Rob with an interesting task ahead.
Rob took some time off to write and develop a new sound. Rob currently plays with a band of musicians that consist of percussion, bass, electric keyboards and synth, electric guitars, and acoustic guitars. Rob is currently in the process of writing an EP that is projected to land sometime in the beginning of 2009. Rob’s goal is to bridge the gap between good stylistic Pop Music with Electric influences. Some of the influences of this new project can be found in the music of Sting, Apex Twins, Jars of Clay, and early 90’s alternative.
Rob Nicholas and A Moments Notice can be found on iTunes. You can also find Rob at www.myspace.com/robnicholasmusic