Lit Lounge's seedy underground cavern has several first-rate memories attached to it (and certainly several dreadful ones), but I was relieved to tack another high quality experience to the list last night as Athens, GA act Misfortune500 took the stage to an eager East Village crowd.

The band, an anthemic yet groove focused take on post-punk, are touring these United States in support of their debut LP, Before This Winter Ends. Their thirty-five minute set was captivating and the crowd was receptive to the rhythmically laced originals, which not only made me shake a bit of a tail feather, but the band’s knack for a soaring chorus added a welcome amount of epic drive to the mix; a rare treat for such an dance-oriented aesthetic. Their set was laced with tracks featured on their debut, some of which slashed and bounced chaotically, while others ebbed and flowed with calculated grace. Their closest touchstone, defunct UK act The Chameleons (one of this blogger’s personal favorites), was also given two cover treatments, lovingly nestled into the band’s oeuvre. The band didn’t miss a beat as they launched into 'Don’t Fall' and 'Paper Tigers' as if they owned them entirely.

 

Meanwhile, unlike most acts breezing through New York with the bare minimum of hassle, Misfortune500 upped the production value of the dank basement venue with their own series of foot-controlled floodlights, which kicked in during especially powerful moments. Nothing says class like your own lighting rig, and the band exuded it both on and off the stage, yielding several treats for anyone lucky enough to be in attendance.

The band appears in Boston tonight, and should you be up for a bit of a road trip, you certainly shan’t regret it. If not, be sure to keep your eyes peeled and catch them first chance you get.