Built to Spill play 123 Pleasant Street

Seminal Boise, Idaho-based indie rock group Built to Spill and upcoming Mexico City-based Chikita Violenta played a sold-out crowd at 123 Pleasant Street Tuesday.

The bands stopped in Morgantown in the middle of a small venue tour with future dates in Delaware, Philadelphia and New York City.

Morgantown residents and West Virginia University students are pleased with the show.

"I love them," said sophomore journalism major Natalie Snyder. "They've been my favorite band since middle school."

Aaron Hawley, a Morgantown resident, said, "they're the only indie rock band that realizes how awesome guitar solos are."

The band's age brought a wide age range to 123, with their first album, "Ultimate Alternative Wavers," released in 1993 and the latest "There is No Enemy" released in October 2009.

"That guy is my hero," Hawley said, pointing to singer and lead guitarist Doug Martsch, "that guy is one of the most influential people in rock music today."

Built to Spill's Doug Martsch was a mesmerizing figure.

At 40 years old and bald, he performs like a 20-year-old.

With his eyes closed most of the time, he bobs his head back and forth while belting out his chirpy, bird-like voice during songs like "Carry the Zero."

Their songs kept the crowd slowly swaying along with the melodies and pumping their fists during the same songs.

That is how Martsch's guitar playing works with the band. He will play along in the breakdowns of the songs while the band will jam out, something that has made them popular at jam band festivals over the years.

During spurts of breakdown, Martsch plays a solo on the guitar that is both biting and soothing as the bassist and drummer groove along.

Feeling the heat of the small venue, Martsch wiped his face off with a towel in between songs.

For the opening band, Chikita Violenta, playing with Built to Spill is a dream come true.

"They were our favorite band in high school," said

guitarist Cheech Suarez.

Their upcoming album "Trees" was produced by Broken Social Scene producer and touring member David Newfield. "Trees" is expected to be released in January 2011 in America on the label Arts & Crafts.

Their short, tight set of music shows that they are a band to look out for in the upcoming months.

This is the first time Chikita Violenta is touring the United States. After they finish their tour dates with Built to Spill, they will continue to play with label mates Ra Ra Riot.

Suarez said that he and his band members grew up on bands like Pavement, Slint and Super Furry Animals.

He obtained CDs by visiting America and having American friends to obtain CDs for him.

Built to Spill is somewhat of an anomaly in rock music today. They are signed to a major label, Warner Brothers, but have a large amount of creative control with what they do.

The band opened up on tour dates with Kings of Leon last year and is in the middle of a small club tour.

"They don't have a manager or roadies," Suarez said, "They don't care about the rock stuff, they just love to play."