Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes rolled into the Pabst Theater in Milwaukee on Monday for a sold out show. Lead singer Alex Ebert (former front man of power pop partiers Ima Robot) and company answered the age-old question of what an 11-piece rag-tag rock ensemble would sound like in a live setting. The answer: amazing. With the help of the acoustics and masterful mixing of the Pabst, this gang of musicians churned an unstoppable wall of sound.
A few years ago, Ebert found himself having broken up with his girlfriend, moving out of his house, and joining alcoholics anonymous. Sleeping on a blowup mattress in L.A. with no internet or telephone, Ebert turned to writing; creating a Jesus-like figure that comes to Earth to save mankind. Unfortunately, he quickly loses sight of his goal, after getting distracted by and falling in love with women. The name given to this heroic but all-too-human savior: Edward Sharpe.
Ebert’s story seemed to turn into a self-fulfilled prophecy when he met Jade Castrinos outside of a Mexican restaurant in downtown L.A. The two fell in love and started making music together. They wrangled up a troop of musicians and – not unlike the Von Trapps – toured the U.S. in a white school bus.
Along with a full set of run-of-the-mill rock instruments, the crew of musicians toted an upright grand piano, keyboards, violins, a ukulele, a trumpet, bells, and an unprecedented number of tambourines. Focusing on his vocals – which were spot on – Ebert was dancing and occasionally shaking as if he were a man possessed. Castrinos – subject of many Magnetic Zeroes songs – jubilantly harmonized throughout. The band seemed absolutely joyous, dancing and hopping around throughout the set.
“We kind of love it here,” said Ebert during a break in the action. “It’s sad that we won’t be back until next year.”
As soon as the Zeroes began playing their current indie-radio staple “Home,” the audience became electrified. Moving as one, the crowd bobbed and swayed with every heartbreaking note. Ebert and Castrinos have the synergy of a modern-day Sonny and Cher, and it seemed as though even the most cynical ticket-holders were swooning “Home is wherever I’m with you,” mesmerized by the couples’ storybook romance.
Their stage presence matched the “Edward Sharpe” messianic epic. Ebert played the bandleader role brilliantly, guiding his musicians through the impressively substantial set. Ebert closed by breaking down the audience/band barrier, inviting 50 or so people on the stage to hang out while he delved into the pit. Guitarist Christian Letts sat on the stage and accompanied him on the somber but beautiful track “Brother.”
It was clear that the Zeroes are just as concerned with creating a sense of audience camaraderie as they are with writing wondrous ballads.