Mae The Fillmore at Irving Plaza March 19, 2008 Written by Josh Williams Photographed by Amy Davidson Opposite Photo: Dave Elkins of Mae

(Editor's Note: Hailing from Norfolk, VA, Mae (an acronym for Multisensory Aesthetic Experience) played at the The Fillmore at Irving Plaza Mae played with The Honorary Title, Between the Trees and Far-Less.)

The scene is The Fillmore at Irving Plaza. Wednesday, March 19th, 2008. Forming a queue to the end of the block is a horde of teenagers and a small contingent of twenty year olds. We’re here to see Mae, From Virginia Beach, Touring in support of their third album, “Singularity”. This is their first album with Capitol Records. In the supporting position was The Honorary Title, a band that fittingly gets an honorable mention. THT appeared to be local favorites. There were two other bands whose name I cannot remember, although somewhere in the evening, I remember saying “why does this band exist? The future of clear channel - easy listening”.

Dave Elkins with Zach Gehring in the background	Zach Gehring

Mae doesn’t raise my ire as much. They undoubtedly will end up on clear channel and other stations all across this great country, but they have a good charm coming off them. A good wholesome charm, and I say that in all sincerity. I do get the impression that they are writing and experimenting and have a lot more to produce. I would like to see what an album with Steve Albini would sound like. Hopefully, they will be able to continue in their earnestness.

Zach Gehring

I readily admit that I was out of the loop at this show. One anthemic song found me observing the crowd. They were all singing along. To a band I had never heardof until the day before. It was kind of weird, but not altogether unpleasant. The set was wholesome, clean cut, rock for adolescents in the midst of their search for a soundtrack they can call their own. Although my soundtrack was obviously different, I understood where they were coming from. Being young and hanging out with your friends at a show on a Wednesday Night. The beginnings of saying piss off to a school-night. I also get the impression this crowd ended the night at the malt shop, if such places still existed. And you know… good for them.

Zach Gehring and Dave Elkins

When the set started, the first few measures of the synth hinted at an old post-punk, new wave sound. Then guitars came in with its lessons learned from the nineties alt-rock school. A mixture of the two created a sound that will eventually be identifiable for this particular time period. A good solid set, good job at crowd interaction. Good clean fun.

For more information on Mae, log onto: whatismae.com