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Written by Becky Gehling Thursday, 08 December 2005 04:41

The Pageant, St. Louis, April 13, 2003

So many Guster t-shirts, yet no one cared or even knew they were being “that guy.” That’s because Guster is for lovers, and it is the band’s abundant love that keeps fans in their t-shirts, always buying another ticket.

Priming the crowds for the main course was the Boston-based band, Wheat. With interesting looks and sufficient energy, Wheat delivered Weezer sounds and moves with tunes catchy enough to be sitcom theme songs. When they took off the Weezer hat, an emo sound emerged that was heartfelt, but slightly repetitive.

Guster knows what it’s like to be the opening act. For years they’ve opened for bands who have come around and then slid into the background, but this time it’s their turn. The threesome has earned their staying power, creating a fan base with the former teens that first saw the jewel of a band at Mississippi Nights opening for Semisonic in ’98 or Lit in ’99.

Personally, I continue to see Guster live because of the amazing drumming of Brian Rosenworcel. With his hands, he pounds an elaborate drum set made of bongos, bongoish instruments (undistinguishable to the untrained eye), and cymbals. His poor hands must have some wicked callouses to be able to sustain such drumming without losing intensity.

Ryan Millers and Adam Gardner share the vocals and personality of the group. Their harmonies are beautifully constructed and their chemistry works to give the band their unmistakable solid pop sounds.

However, the highlight of the evening was, of course, Rosenworcel’s mind-boggling solo in “Airport Song.” It was as though he was winding up for the pitch, and released with an explosion of tribal beating. When he was finished Rosenworcel gave a shy smile, and put his head down to tie his shoe as though he didn’t want the attention, but secretly loved it.

He then moved to the conventional drum set, perhaps symbolic of the band’s slow evolution into a harder sound. Don’t get me wrong. Guster will not be playing Ozzfest next year. But their fourth album, set for June, is expected to be a little tougher than the “Fa Fa” that we’re used to.