Thursday 10/08/06 The Subways @ Popscene, San Francisco

With a summer tour of the US winding down and building up into 20+ European dates lasting through September, The Subways’ punch and jump music dominated at SXSW, their heartthrob rock album ‘Young For Eternity’ is a teen punk dream, and still, they are the sweetest group of kids in the scene. Leaving no skin without sweat, The Subways’ are damn good at what they do and their live show displays it.

Without an elaborate drum setup, and yet so many sounds, so fast, banging out forcing heads to bang up down, Josh smashes it on the drums. Commanding and shirtless, behind Charlotte and Billy is a quiet drummer that speaks out solely by skill. As for the rock star couple, what need be said that isn’t known? Charlotte is a fantasy and idol, body mangled as she tears up her bass and spins on stage. And Billy is Mr. Happy-Go-Lucky. At any show he’s got playful comments for the crowd, smiles upon his dear Charlotte (although he was kicking at her, which was hot), and rocks out to songs to be proud of.

The Subways’ pop, punk is flawless in its appeal, danceable, but not too violent for a mod chick in heels. Yes, some may complain that it isn’t raw enough, but they’ve bought into genre limitations. But opening with ‘No Heart, No Soul’ the too often lo-fi audiences of San Francisco get down almost as if watching Henry Rollins (almost). It’s surprising that The Subways still play some of the small venues they do; see them at these steamy shows before their big shot label has the band where they should be.