Autoheart @ The Historic Nile Theater in Mesa, AZ
Both Shayfer James and Autoheart are artists the Punk Pack have used to warm up vocally and to see them both live at Mesa’s historic Nile Theater was an incredible experience. While this author had previously only sampled some of each bands’ tracks and maybe only have one memorized at most — “For The Departed” and “Lent” respectively — with artist already giving a great collection of tracks to start forming an opinion. The set both artists brought has tickled a desire to take a deeper dive.
What the Pack has come to expect from Shayfer James is a relaxing yet passionate melody that expresses the range of James’ voice. As for how that expectation hold up to reality; we feel as though it does. Any time James worked his voice, it sent chills down the Pack’s spine. Finding that “For The Departed” is on many a D&D playlist — except for one “slutty renaissance” playlist but you do you, boo — was strangely validating as the song has found itself on nearly every character playlist the Pack has made. While we can only dream of having such a vocal range, Shayfer James is soothingly charming.
Seeing Autoheart walk out on stage to open with “Indigo Chateau” sets the vibe for the band precisely. The ethereal upper-register of their voices as they harmonize summarizes what intrigued the Pack when first listening Autoheart. Hearing “Stalker’s Tango” live became another moment of chills running down this author’s spine as the song is a personal favorite and witnessing that talent Autoheart brings on tour with still near-angelic harmonies. The Pack cannot get over the bouncy pop of the band’s sound with complex layering harmonies and will keep us listening for the next hint of something new as we’ve nearly played their discography to death since the show.
After the show, the Pack was left with a feel-good glow that had yet to dissipate on the drive home or through the following morning. Both Shayfer James and Autoheart played a fantastic show and paired together are overwhelming talent with clean vocals. Each filled with an emotional yet bouncy sound. The Punk Pack encourage you to see both bands when and wherever they may play near you. In the meantime, the Pack has a few new songs for warm-up that we need to practice.
