Photos and review by: Jason Robey

GASTONIA, NC — The Rooster in Gastonia (about 20 miles outside of Charlotte, NC) was full of massively impressive musicianship and mesmerizing improvisation on Thursday night, as Colorado’s Squeaky Feet made a tour stop for a small but eager crowd.

The evening kicked off with a set from Charlotte local group Space Lazers, a “Space Funk Jazz Rock” trio playing in the area since 2022. The band played a half hour set of original music included a handful of their streaming singles, such as the airy rock tune “Colorblind” and the jazzy “Lou’s Song.” Also from the Charlotte area, Council Ring followed with a set of their blend of melodic and psychedelic hard rock. One highlight of their show was “Just Like That,” the catchy first single from their upcoming album. Their stage time oozed of fluid guitar licks layered over tight rhythms.

Squeaky Feet wasted no time showing their impeccable songwriting abilities  with “Generica,” from last year’s debut album Cause For Alarm. Following the five minute opening track, the rest of the hour and a half set would consist of just three more songs, each clocking in close to 30 minutes, and all unreleased in studio form. “Little Bit Further” started with a heavy bass and drum groove, leading into a hard rock and funk-laden bombshell with slow and beautiful breakdowns between verses. 

On “Robot Run,” the band explores contrasting musical ideas, with haunting descending melodies switching off with an occasional uplifting passages. The band’s technical side meshed seamlessly with their improvisational explorations throughout, returning periodically to the main theme of the song. Closing with the upbeat “Wanderer,” the group dabbled in reggae-tinted verses before delving into experimental territory, each member taking turns driving the jam, exploding into main riff of the song to bring the night to a close.

Tonight’s show, along with dozens more, is available to stream or download from Nugs.net or the group’s page on Bandcamp. Check Squeaky Feet’s social media for tour dates, they are a band to experience live.