NFV Song Spotlight: Escape-ism's Charge of the Love Brigade

I finally got to catch Escape-ism. I apparently had an opportunity to catch a set back in March 2024 during Escape Artist Lovers residency at Zebulon. I really don't know why I missed their set as I did attend that night. Maybe they were the first band playing and I just showed up late due to work. Or maybe they were the last band of the night and I had to get to work early and so had a hard get to bed time. There were additional chances throughout 2024 to catch the band, but it never worked out.

Escape-ism at Zebulon

Even this time around, January 2025 at Zebulon almost didn't work out. I was supposed to cover a band for US Rocker Music, but I never got confirmation from the band's contact. It all worked out. I just jumped over to Zebulon. 

The band includes Ian F. Svenonius and Sandi Denton. Ian F. Svenonius has a long history in the punk scene. Per Wikipedia, his first band Nation of Ulysses was an influential Washington DC punk band. Would that be considered the straight edge punk scene? I have crossed paths with Sandi Denton. She is in "an avant-garde dance troupe" called The Rated Z Dancers. They were also scheduled to perform alongside Escape Artist Lovers during that 2024 residency. If you scan through their Instagram page and have a keen eye, you'll see me at that performance holding a camera. 

Escape-ism at Zebulon

With matching outfits, the duo took to the stage as the crowd slowly streamed into the venue from the outdoor patio. Svenonius called out to the crowd to come into the venue before the doors closed (for those not in the know about the venue layout, there are venue doors that lead out to a patio that close during sets). With a sly sense of humor, he said, "We play only once on January 19th." He then asked a friend at the front of the stage to introduce the band. 

The band had to deal with some feedback problems to start off the set, "there's been some supply chain issues." After that problem was resolved they kicked into high gear with their minimalist punk sounds. Svenonius takes on vocal and guitar duties while Denton switches off between bass and synth. Their music is highlighted by the repetition of catchy short chorus phrases such as their song "Rebel Outlaw" where the repetition is "Rebel Outlaw." The band's on stage presence is highlighted by the intense charisma of Svenonius.

Escape-ism at Zebulon

I say this is all put together by their song "Charge of the Love Brigade." Svenonius took the microphone in hand and walked up to the front of the stage with an intense look, waving the microphone towards the audience, "Charge of the Love Brigade." Meanwhile, Denton played the synth, looking expressionless, chimed in by singing, "Charge." 

Conversation of the night. Someone in the audience called out, "Save California." Svenonius responded, "Okay, we're going to do it." 

Escape-ism at Zebulon

Setlist: I Ain't Got No Hammer, Difficult Man To Love, (I Was Born With A) Woman's Intuition, Rebel Outlaw, Charge of the Love Brigade, Rock N Roll Man, Last of the Sellouts, Black Gold.