THE NATIONAL RESERVE

A few hours before the multi-colored spotlights at Milkboy Philly spread across their skin to the sound of howling electric guitars and rowdy applause, the members of The National Reserve took their seats and sipped their drinks within the sun streaked, art covered walls of Philadelphia’s Dock Street Cannery. Along with guest keys player Brian Mitchell, bandleader Sean Walsh, guitarist Jon LaDeau, bassist Matthew Stoulil and drummer Brian Geltner performed “Back Up On My Feet,” “New Love” and “Roll On Babe,” on a cloudless afternoon the day before the release of the group's newest record, Motel La Grange (05-10-2018). And though the Brooklyn band may be best known for raucous sets on beer soaked stages across the country, the musicians filled each stripped down song rendition with real fire and real poetry, effortlessly capturing a lightening in a bottle feel throughout a collection of spare, pitch perfect performances.