Hello Madness at Trinity Church

Hello, Control

Story by Max Galanty

If you didn't go to Trinity Church in Plattsburgh, N.Y. on October 6th, you missed some great young performers. In addition, you also missed a unique church crowd. Church-goers, on this night, weren't dressed in slacks, button ups or traditional skirts. The crowd was young and hip. They were ready to hear a different type of sermon, a rock-and-roll sermon.

Young bands shook the church walls with heavy drums and loud guitars. Abbott Hayes, out of Burlington, Vermont, got the night rolling. They played their pop-rockish songs for the mainly tame high school crowd. Their stand out song, "Moment to Breathe," is a country-inspired song. It received the warmest response from the crowd.

The second band, Waiting for a Miracle, caught the attention of the crowd with their heavy bass riffs and strong stage presence. The front man/lead vocalist was highly energetic and entertaining. In between his passionate vocal delivery of songs, he provoked much laughter from the crowd with jokes about the bathroom and emergency exits. The energy in the room was at a peak during this Burlington, Vermont based band's performance. The young crowd broke out into a playful mosh pit. The audience participation was at high volume levels.

The headlining band, calls themselves Hello Control. The lead vocalist was a spectacle, for he was only 17, but he sang like a veteran. The drummer was having fun banging his percussion. He provided a musical base for the band to play their fun tunes.

The crowd, knowing a good portion of Hello Control's lyrics, sang along as soon as their set opened. They had surprisingly strong chemistry between the guys, and the guitarist played impressive solos.

Once the glow sticks were distributed among the crowd, the aura in the church had a holy feel. The crowd sang in unison for an old-school song. The crowd wouldn't let Hello Control say good bye, as they demanded of the band, "one more song." The fellas of Hello Control responded to their support with an ironic rendition of Avril Lavigne's famed hit "Girlfriend," proclaiming "Hey, Hey. You, You. I don't like your girlfriend."

The event, if nothing else, was a showcase for local acts. For the bands, it was a stage for them to be heard by the nearby community. For those who came to watch, it was a solid night of fun music and dancing. For the church, it was a transformation, from a center of prayer to a venue for loud music and wild teens.

Who is your favorite band from the North Country?