CHICAGO | I had the pleasure to see Duster live on October 9th, and trust me, pleasure is an understatement. As I waited for the doors to open, I spotted Clay Parton, one of Duster’s guitarists walking by with a plastic bag. He seemed to go unnoticed by everyone in the long line that wrapped around Thalia Hall, or maybe everyone felt like me, too nervous to interrupt his evening stroll.
Duster, notable indie slowcore band from San Jose, California, consists of Clay Parton and Canaan Dove Amber. Currently on the North American leg of their tour, they are joined by Sam Fabela of Nuzzle on bass and Max Edelman of Sour Widows on drums.
After reemerging from their twenty-year hiatus in 2018, Duster did not need to worry about whether or not their older fans remained as they garnered a larger fanbase with younger generations. Expecting to be one of the youngest attendees, the demographics of the audience at the show surprised me. The crowd was full of other twenty-somethings and tweens accompanied by their parents. Everyone seemed visibly excited but still respected the space and kept the energy up during Dirty Art Club’s opening set, dancing to the music as they waited for Duster’s arrival.
As soon as Duster walked onto the stage, the crowd erupted into cheers as they tuned their instruments. Amber briefly acknowledged the crowd before playing “The Twins/Romantica” from their album Stratosphere.
The band’s skill is undeniable. All members seemed to be giving their all, yet looked effortless doing so, especially Max Edelman, who may be the most graceful drummer I’ve ever seen live. My favorite parts of the night were when they played “The Coffin” which is from Parton’s solo project, Eiafuawn, and when Amber took a hit from his vape onstage. Throughout the show, some fans shouted out the usual, “I love you”, and I even heard a “Rock & Roll is back!” met with small smiles from Parton and Amber as they looked at each other and laughed. After almost an hour of the Duster trance, they announced their next song, “Echo, Bravo,” would be their last. After a quick thank you and goodby, the crowd broke out into thunderous screams.
The energy following the show was electric. Leaving the hall, I met a few fans who had lovely things to say about the show. My short conversations with them proved that Duster is a truly beloved band. Memo, a Chicago native, said, “not a single moment felt like it was being dragged, I honestly felt like I was in some sort of trance throughout the show”. I also met Sickly, who took a train from St. Louis to see Duster and thought being here was “kinda freaky” because Duster has been such a huge part of his life, but he never expected to see them live. He also thought that “it was just beautiful to see that they still have the love for what they do, and provided us with that experience.”
As I waited outside after the show, I spotted a man with a very recognizable beard standing by the tour bus about to light a cigarette. It was Clay Parton. Initially hesitant to approach him, I am very glad I decided to walk over. I shook his hand and told him I was also from San Jose, for which he earnestly apologized. He talked a little bit about how he couldn’t have gotten out of the city fast enough before I told him how cool it was that a band like theirs came out of my hometown. He seemed genuinely appreciative, and as we spoke, a line of other fans formed next to me. I thanked him for the conversation and for putting on a great show so he could enjoy the rest of his cigarette.
I was once told by someone from Los Angeles that the people he has met from San Jose are always humble. I thought that was a joke, but after my Duster experience and gratifying conversation with Parton, I see the truth in that statement. Duster put on an otherworldly performance and I feel incredibly lucky to have witnessed one of the best bands of this generation.
