WE AREN'T
INTO MAGIC.
FROM CLEVELAND
"There was no synchronized choreography. No in-ear monitors. Not a single choreographed fist pump or EDM-style drop to tell me when to feel things. I ordered a cranberry vodka and it came out room temperature, so I simply went on stage and asked the band if they could fix this, and they said “Sir, we are currently playing a show.” As if that’s an excuse. There were no lasers. No autotune. The drummer counted off a song manually like some sort of wild raccoon. And the bassist? He made eye contact with the crowd. What happened to mystery? To spectacle? To fifteen-minute ambient intros synced to a giant LED screen showing wolves running in slow motion?
Live Review: Houdini’s Code – A Devastating Triumph of Authenticity
*by Sterling Chadwick-Banks, Contributing Editor at Modern Soundscape Quarterly
KEVIN CEDAR
Kevin Cedar took the stage with the confidence of a man who’s never watched a single David Lee Roth high kick compilation. From the first note, it was clear this performance was going to be raw, unpredictable, and—most offensively—entirely unprocessed by autotune. Where were the arena-rock squats? The mic stand spins? At one point, he even adjusted his own mic stand like some sort of working-class troubadour. I paid $14 for a gin and tonic and I deserved choreography.
And don’t even get me started on the wardrobe. No velvet top hat. No silk scarf. Not a single leather pant was harmed in the making of this show. Where are the skirts, Kevin? Where are the skirts like Axl Rose promised us?
Vocal Review: Kevin Cedar –
*by Sterling Chadwick-Banks, Senior Opinion Architect at Echo Chamber Review
LEAD VOCALS/GUITAR
SHAWN DAVIS
Hey, I’m Shawn Davis, the lead guitarist for Houdini’s Code. I’ve been playing guitar since I was seven, and over the years, I’ve been in a bunch of bands like Green Tea, Pass the Napkins, On Fire, and The Crumpkins. Music has always been a huge part of my life, and my influences are all over the map—from Bon Jovi and Foo Fighters to The Killers and Johnny Marr.
Playing with Houdini’s Code lets me bring those influences to life and create something unique with my friends. I’m all about making music that connects with people, and I’m so glad you’re here to check us out. Thanks for being part of the ride—hope you dig what we’re doing!