The music industry is unfair and stupid. Of all the bands in the world, the ones who get to be famous, play arenas, and make trillions (or at least hundreds of thousands) of dollars are rarely the ones who really deserve it. Sure, not every successful band sucks, but there are so many great bands that never get their props—never get a big record deal, never get the opportunity to play their music in front of thousands and thousands of people, never get to quit their day jobs.
So Many Dynamos are the perfect example. The St. Louis quartet are one of those bands that I completely adore; I can never understand how everyone wouldn't feel the same way. I've seen them play a half-dozen times here in Seattle and the room is always half empty—people milling around outside or in the bar, completely unaware of the magic they are missing. But So Many Dynamos are so good that at every one of those shows I've seen them win over at least a handful of kids initially refusing their advances.
When they opened for Horse the Band at El Corazón last April, the guitarist noticed the lack of enthusiasm from the front row. "You don't like us, I can tell," he laughed. "You're only in the front row to see the other bands. I'm okay with that. I just wanted to let you know that I know."
After that, a few kids laughed, uncrossed their arms, and let loose.
It's hard not to. Their music is like Q and Not U with Midwest roots. They're full of angst, but they're not aggressive. They're a dance band with heavy synth, but they're ultimately a rock band. They've got catchy choruses that beg to be sung in unison by a huge crowd. The singer has thick-rimmed glasses, sings about girls and science, but somehow doesn't come off like a complete nerd. And their name, if you didn't already know, is a palindrome. (And you thought TacocaT was impressive.)
They're fucking fantastic. So why aren't they famous? Why don't more kids go to their Seattle shows? Why does Mute Math get to play on Conan O'Brien while So Many Dynamos get their gear stolen after they play the Paradox? So Many Dynamos are what I wish Mute Math were—more ballsy dance beats and less adult contemporary.
I'm not saying they need to sell out KeyArena, but let's at least fill the Vera Project on Friday, February 29, okay? Okay. Thank you.
Moving on, the Sound Off! finals are on Saturday, March 1, at the EMP Sky Church. The show starts at 8:00 p.m. and tickets are $7 for students and $10 for the general public. 
