The 1960s brought the first taste of the Britsh-style of music as the invasion launched with The Beatles and then was followed by a plethora of UK bands that used the available technology of radio, television and airlines to unite the UK and America in a new world of rock music. Fast forward 40 years, and a second wave of the British invasion is taking place on American soil and yet more technology, this time the internet and iPods, flourishes.
Although some could argue that Coldplay is the Beatles of this invasion, there are many bands such as Keane and Embrace that are looking to stake their claim and plant their own flag on American soil during this invasion.
With so many places for Embrace to lay their claim in Columbus, OH, The Basement, a little-known club located next to and promoted by Promowest Pavilion, became ground zero for Embrace's attack at American success.
Already playing in front of thousands in their homeland, Embrace had only a few hundred to impress this night, but just about everyone in attendance was not there to be impressed, but rather entertained but a band already loved.
From the first not that came off the stage, Embrace held the audience in the palms of their hands as vocalist Danny McNamara came across confident without cockiness. But what made the show so special was their single and fan-favorite Gravity (written by Coldplay's Chris Martin) was not the highlight of the evening. In fact, it was just another anthem in the bands arsenal, and songs like Wish 'Em All Away and Looking As You Are were played with more emotion and provided a tug at the heartstrings that Embrace seems to accomplish almost at will.
Every once in a while, especially if Little Brothers is your hang out, a conversation can be overheard of someone knowing someone who knew someone who saw Nirvana play the old Stache's before it moved in the Short North. Some were lucky enough to have the memories of seeing Beck at Bernie's Bagles, a punk-rock haven located on the Ohio State Campus that has more booths in the deli than people at a show. Embrace at The Basement may be the next musical urban legend in Columbus, OH. If the success of friends Coldplay can rub off on the equally-talented Embrace, those in attendance will be sharing their stories for years, and the crowd of maybe 200 will all of a sudden be 2,000 as the legend of who was there will grow beyond proportion.
Starting in the Fall, Embrace will be back with the VH-1 You Oughta Know tour and if the show was missed time, make sure it is not missed again as Embrace put together on of the top five shows this year in Columbus, and could easily be number one.
