Magnetic Morning

Photo by Mary Sledd

Magnetic Morning

Though Magnetic Morning's drummer, Sam Fogarino (Interpol), and guitarist, Adam Franklin (Swervedriver), have worked together more than a year, the current full-band lineup played its first show less than a month ago. At FFFF, the newness was apparent in a degree of hesitancy, with the lead guitarist (who looked an awful lot like Interpol's Carlos Dengler) in particular looking unsure. The band didn't aim much higher than "stand there and play," and while it wasn't what one would call an exciting show, exactly, Franklin and Fogarino performed like the veterans they are, the material strong enough to make even a workmanlike show enjoyable. Louder songs like "Motorway" and especially "No Direction" fared best. It's interesting to wonder about the creative process with this band. Their story suggests that it's largely Fogarino's baby, but you wouldn't think that to watch them; Franklin leads the band and sings all the songs, with Fogarino stuffed into the darkness at the back of the stage.