Author: Noel Hemphill
In the darkly lit room where every beat is felt through the floorboards and walls, music from music duo Timeflies excited fans with immense stage presence that signified that this group is going to be a hit.
The March 9 show was high energy from the start when opening act DJ Five and a Dime got the crowd dancing. The DJ spun Top 40 songs refreshed by interspersing electronic beats into otherwise stale music. After a short break, Timeflies took the stage to massive applause and shouting. Comprised of rapper-singer Cal Shapiro (best known as Cal) and production-musical whiz kid Rob “Rez” Resnick, Timeflies specializes in combining multiple genres and styles to create some seriously fun music. Incorporating original songs, mashups and covers to dubstep and synth beats, the two brought plenty of excitement to their performance at Santa Ana’s Observatory. Though the venue was small, the floor was packed with young adults clothed in glittery, neon and pastel apparel, mouthing every word of the opening song, “No Sleep.”
Shapiro and Resnick have been avid musicians since high school; Resnick was playing with beats in his basement while Shapiro was freestyling raps and singing. Between Shapiro’s vocal range and Resnick’s many musical talents – including drums, guitar and piano – they play every type of music possible, from rap to pop and even a little rock.
Their 90 minute set incorporated all of these elements, including a delightfully slow breakdown from fast paced songs to an acoustic arrangement. Resnick skillfully strummed a guitar while Shapiro sang a down tempo version of their song “Ex Games” before segueing into fun.’s hit “We Are Young.” Throughout the show, the duo showcased their trademark youthful style with their popular remix of “Under the Sea” from Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” that employs plenty of innuendos in the lyrics. Shapiro’s freestyle skills are another Timeflies trademark. With a list of words and phrases made up from members of the crowd, Shapiro flawlessly rapped along to the beat of Ke$ha’s “Die Young.”
The show finished after two encores and several showers of water from a gleeful Resnick, who even sprayed a water bottle directly in Shapiro’s face. When the spectacular light show eventually darkened on Timeflies’ winged clock logo, time truly had flown by. The rowdy crowd dispersed into the night still singing their favorites from the show, excited for the coming installment of new music from a duo that can be defined as entertaining, vibrant and full of potential.
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