Giantist took a giant leap of generosity, performing at the Toys for Tots benefit on Saturday. – Photo by Justin Matheus

By Sanjeev Selvarajah

The band Giantist has its humanism down to a science. The band that’s part Evanescence, with a little bit of Deftones thrown in, and rounded out with rich Radiohead ambivalence performed for a Toys for Tots charity event this past Saturday.

“I chose Giantist for this charity event because in addition to being a great band, they are also champions of giving back to the community. One of my favorite songs from Giantist is Paper Weight. The line ‘Can God help us now, Can God save us now?’ really speaks to the message of the whole event. My own personal feelings aside, I believe that it is our duty as human beings to help and to save one another,” says Mike Gordon, president and CEO of Electric Lighthouse Recordings, who put on the show.

The blended vocals that dawn in March by Giantist gives way to an incandescent bass and a medley of electronic sounds. Quick-fast the drums race with the tune to give way to pleading vocals from Emily Koo, who had triumphantly sung the prayer that so amazed Gordon with Paper Weight. An adamant Sean O’Meara, the lead singer, demanded all to fall in line with the accusation blatant in March: your relationship is failing again. That’s why Sean and Emily have to ask, “Would you be proud?”

Giantist, who has inspirations ranging back from Pink Floyd to Modest Mouse, had fun during the charity event. “It’s always a plus when bands support one another, and all of the bands at the show had a great sense of camaraderie. It’s getting tougher to find that in the local music scene,” says Emily. “You could really feel the Christmas spirit on Saturday night. Donating to Toys for Tots makes people feel great,” says Chris Connell, the Giantist drummer. Pat Lydon, saxophonist, basked in the well wishing: “Great event, great bands for a great cause. What more could you ask for?  It was a lot of fun to be a part of and it’s nice to spread the holiday spirit.” “Electric Lighthouse Recordings is becoming one of the best things to happen to the Boston music scene in a while. Mike Gordon truly cares about making a difference and puts together great bills!” says Sean O’Meara.

Well Water best encapsulates their vision of communion, although Mike Gordon and Electric Lighthouse Recordings might signal Paper Weight for its enchanting appeal for good will. The musical talent wasn’t solely on the shoulders of Giantist, who picked up the torch and passed it to the rest of the night, which included Milkbread, The One & Only’s, Tom’s Folly, and Lowman. “We are in the beginning stages of talking with other charities about a canned food drive for all of our upcoming shows. I always believed that if Electric Lighthouse Recordings ever got put in the position in which we could help our community, we would do so gladly. I have came up with this idea in the past month, and will be working very diligently to get help to as many people as we can,” says Gordon.

Paper Weight indeed does the trick in an idealistic fashion. Its guitar is reminiscent of Bowie’s album Space Oddity’s lyricism and a combo of vocals that reveal an attention to the tenor of folks like Beck. But this song could just as well fit with Arcade Fire’s contribution to the Where the Wild Things Are soundtrack. And that saxophone, that’s musician Pat Lydon. The drumming towards the end by Chris Connell filters like flames. Sean O’Meara has a mission for his guitar and pen. Giantist has intent in its bones.