BY APRIL S. ENGRAM

Only six months have passed and Riot's return to Rochester's Bug Jar was indeed a triumphant one as the recent Barsuk Records inductees played a sold out show in the small club. Though the sextet did draw a large crowd during their last visit, it is clear what an impact a few months has had upon the Syracuse band - of course, if you were to appear on the Conan O'Brien show and sign to a largely popular indie label your life might just slightly change as well. Yet the forever humble Riot has not let these recent successes inflate their ego as they chatted with fans.

Though the snuggling, dancing couples proved nauseating, opening band Walter Meego was a great precursor to the dancing Riot would later bring to the stage. The electro duo-turned trio live-delighted the audience. Beats master Colin Yarck and vocalist/guitarist Justin Sconza, with the help of guitarist Andrew Bernhardt, started the night with a slower version of "Wanna Be a Star" and transitioned to the catchy, heavy beats of "Forever."

The trio played a good four tracks before introducing themselves to the audience and just those few songs proved enough to strike a chord with audience members as one listener shouted above the music, "I wanna buy their CD!" The guys played through their debut album Voyager and in fact sounded better live. Watching Yarck alone proved to be entertaining, the energetic mixer providing the bulk of Meego's sound as he systematically manipulating multiple drum machines, keyboards, and synthesizers effortlessly.

The small venue was so packed that Ra Ra Riot had to enter from the emergency exit door at the rear of the stage. Wesley Miles (keyboard, vocals), Milo Bonacci (guitar), Rebecca Zeller (violin), Alexandra Lawn (cello), Mathieu Santos (bass), and Cameron Wisch (drums) squeezed their way on the small platform. After a few minutes to get all six instruments tuned lead singer Miles thanked the crowd for their patience. Then, from the first note they played Riot sounded flawless. During their years of touring Riot has gained a reputation for delivering perfect, passion-filled performances and this tradition still stands. Whenever they grace a stage, each member surpasses expectations.

Riot played the entirety of their full length debut, The Rhumb Line, and tracks from past EPs. No song stood out in regards to audience reception, the delighted crowd singing along with Miles and throwing their hands in the air in celebration. The night was going great for Riot, but just when they were approximately 90% done with their setlist Zeller's violin amp decided to fade in and out. As the rest of the band finished "Too Too Too Fast," with the violin occasionally kicking in, Zeller resorted to the tambourine for their last song. Suddenly a string on Lawn's cello broke and her amp faded as well.

Miles apologized for the mishaps and now, with the two essential components of Riot's sound on the fritz, the guys played through their last song unfazed to a happy, roaring audience. As they sat down their instruments and left the stage, the audience did not let up and cheered even louder.  Everyone returned once again, and with no cello or violin, Lawn and Zeller both turned to tambourines and Riot played "Everest" to close out the evening. Despite technical malfunctions Riot still sounded great, just a testament to how stellar Ra Ra Riot is live.

[Photos Credit: April S. Engram]