Song Spotlight: The Strumbellas' Come Back Around (a night at the Regent Theater)

I was hanging out at the Regent Theater on a Friday night to cover Hotel Fiction. The headliner band was The Strumbellas. I had no clue who they were (I actually didn't know who Hotel Fiction was, either), but learned quickly that they're a Toronto, Canada based band. I was thinking, "Hey, I have this photo pass, why not take photos of The Strumbellas. I didn't sign anything that restricted me from shooting the band." I was allowed into the photo pit without any issues and so I started to photograph the band. 

The Strumbellas at the Regent Theater

It didn't take that long for me to think, "Wow, this band is awesome." The band gave me flashback to the 2009 era of the Los Angeles music scene when Local Natives was starting to grow their fan base in the city. And well it should have given me flashbacks, because The Strumbellas started up in 2008, no doubt also influenced by the folk-rock-Americana music that was sweeping through Los Angeles.

You can read my review of their set over at US Rocker Music, which you can read here. 

The Strumbellas at the Regent Theater

When it comes to the song spotlight, I'm going with a song from their latest EP Burning Bridges Into Dust. Now, if I were being fair, my favorite song was from an older album, but that is because this was the first time seeing the band. My selection is the final song of the EP, "Come Back Around." 

I love how the band taught the chorus to the audience and then how enthusiastically the crowd sang those lyrics throughout the song.  The tune has a hint of country while being true to their folk alternative rock heritage. 

The Strumbellas at the Regent Theater

To me, the song is about attempting to re-establish a friendship. 

I'll take the blame, if you're looking for the answers

Perhaps my country flavored interpretation of the song comes from these lyrics:

Finger on the trigger, I've been sitting in the saddle
Watch me riding away

The idea of riding away may indicate that someone is turning away from the friendship, but that portion of the song starts with "Finger on the trigger." To me, this indicates that a fight is not wanted. 

Setlist: Hanging Out In My Head, Salvation, Hold Me, Maybe It's Me, Sailing, Skin of my Teeth, Shovels & Dirt, Greatest Enemy, Steal My Soul, Come Back Around, I'll Wait, Great Unknown, Young & Wild, Running Out of Time, The Hired Band, Torn (Natalie Imbruglia cover), My Home Is You, Hard Lines, We Don't Know, Spirits.