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By Peggy E. Mullin | April 8The band's drum set is adorned with their logo, which also served as the album cover for their first release.
The band's drum set is adorned with their logo, which also served as the album cover for their first release.
Caamp's Matt Vinson brings his bass accompaniment and melodic harmonies to the stage as the Ohio-based band opens for Rainbow Kitten Surprise on Friday night.
Rainbow Kitten Surprise, the fan-favorite Boone-based band boasting eclectic indie sound and painfully honest lyrics, rocked the Ritz on Friday night to celebrate the release of their latest album, "How to: Friend, Love, Freefall."
Charlie Holt, known for his long locks and bass expertise, harmonizes with the band for the second song of their set on Friday night.
Originally starting as a side project for students from Boone, Rainbow Kitten Surprise has broken onto the mainstream scene, accumulating millions of plays on music-streaming sites like Spotify and selling out shows at countless venues.
Sam Melo, lead vocalist and lyricist for the band, draws from several contemporary influences--Modest Mouse, Isaac Brock--to meld together the band's unique sound.
Lead singer Sam Melo jumps around the stage with endless energy and ample agility, while Darrick "Bozzy" Keller slams on electric guitar. The two originally started the band as a duo while studying as students at Appalachian State University.
Melo croons out the lyrics to their hit song "Seven" while extending towards the outstretched hands (both big and small) of the crowd.
Melo's influences in lyricism are wide and varied, producing a sort of poetic honesty that layers beautifully over boot-stomping rhythms and guitar solos.
Taylor Meier of Caamp strums out chords on his acoustic guitar, the sound that drives each song of this Ohio-based band's repertoire.