If you’re a fan of shoegaze and earsplitting volume, Amusement Parks On Fire should be one of your favorite bands. They just released their third and latest studio album, Road Eyes, this September and it’s a savory scorcher. Playing at The Echo last night as part of Filter’s Culture Collide Festival, the English five-piece band brought in a packed house. Considering the fact that Culture Collide Festival is actually happening at five different venues all at once this weekend, this was pretty impressive as it was also only 10 PM. Those who seemed to stumble in stayed once they heard what Michael Feerick and his band had to offer.

Since the name of Culture Collide Festival derives from all these bands from around the world coming together, it was only appropriate that Amusement Parks On Fire reminded us of some our local shoegazers such as The Silversun Pickups. There are some legitimate reasons, too. Not only has this last album been produced in Los Angeles by Michael Patterson (who has worked with Great Northern, Black Rebel Motorcycle and Beck), but it really has taken some elements from southern California into factor.

Six years ago, Feerick was only 16 and basically making his first album in his bedroom but now he’s got four other guys backing him up on stage for a ferocious sound. Live, all the dark, brooding elements of shoegaze are still there but as you listen to them play, it’s obvious this young man was definitely influenced by some of the sunshine and that’s what’s so great about it. The convergence of those two worlds coming together work quite well on this slightly new sound: The optimism of Los Angeles and the romance of their hometown, Nottingham. Last night was certainly a great set to take in as it was crisp, loud, and well-written.

***Check out more Amusement Parks On Fire photos from our Culture Collide Festival gallery on Friday night!