[Photos and words by Rez Avissar]

The able men of D.C.’s U.S. Royalty did their thing at Piano’s on Tuesday night. There’s a lot of talent between the four of them, and their drummer, the dapper Luke Adams, has Pro Tools chops which means the band is usually putting down ideas in their Chinatown studio as they please. The last time I saw these guys they headlined Hiro Ballroom, which was a great feat, but they also fit the bill as a bar band surprisingly well, and Piano’s was a pretty perfect venue for them to play their 2-week “residency.” What didn’t change from last time, however, was the string of excited girls in the front. Catch them at one of their DJ gigs and they’ll often spin remixes of their own jams as well as some probably-never-to-be-released mixes of some classics. (They spin somewhat regularly in D.C. and recently got remix treatment by Passion Pit’s Ayad under his Bo Flex project). Also, their lead singer, John Thornley, has energy, in voice and in bodily stamina, that would make most frontmen envious. And when he’s not seated at the keys, he prances the stage. A lot. 

 U.S. Royalty has all the makings of a great band and with two EPs under their belt, they are currently writing their first full-length. We’re waiting for it and we’ll keep you posted.

1. Art Brut, US Royalty @ Mercury Lounge | NYC
2. Stephin Merritt Makes Crazy Piano Music For Coraline Musical
3. John Lennon’s Piano Tours For Peace
4. Piano Creeps
5. 33hz & U.S. Royalty @ The Studio At Webster Hall | NYC