The So So Glos at the Studio at Webster Hall

The So So Glos are a punk rock band formed in Brooklyn by brothers Alex Levine (vocals, bass) and Ryan Levine (guitar, vocals) and Zach Staggers (drums, vocals). Ryan and Zach met in pre-school, and through divorces and remarriages, Staggers became the Levines’ step-brother. Without fully knowing how to play or tune their instruments, the three started their first rock band in 1991. They adopted their current name in 2007 and self-released their eponymous debut album that same year. Guitarist Matt Elkin joined the band in October 2007 shortly before their first cross-country tour. The band released the Blowout album on April 23, 2013.

The So So Glos performed a free concert tonight at the Studio at Webster Hall for MTV Live. I will be neither the first nor the last to point out that the band looks and sounds like the Clash, even though the members of the So So Glos might have been toddlers during the Clash’s peak years. Alex Levine commanded an authentic rebel yell to all the songs, and all four musicians successfully channeled a passionate rage through their instruments. The stage was not big enough for them, as their need to physically assault their music might have required some running space. Somehow, the band always came off as an inspirational voice-of-the-people’s band, even when the lyrics could not be heard. Alex made up for that with plenty of sing-along “uh-ohs.” The So So Glos is a very engaging live act.