Photos by Erik Stabile

Royal Noble and The Molesters NV sparingly rocked the Studio on 4th on Apr. 2 for the benefit of local artist Omar Pierce’s upcoming book of photography.

Royal Noble, a three-piece in this particular incarnation but otherwise solo or a four-piece, delivered sweet, affecting pop songs, reminiscent of Guided by Voices in their sharp brevity.

The band’s recorded output is extremely lo-fi. It often features frontman “J.C.” double-tracking himself on a noisy recorder. Fleshing out, even minimally, granted the songs new levels of impact—a punch of energy rarely felt when alone and facing a harsh metal speaker. Audience members tapped their toes and nodded their heads in recognition of the sweet and simple pop songs ambling before them, only too willing to reveal a compelling and bony vulnerability.

Art hung distinctly on the walls of the Studio. A backdrop of colored circles even served to background the performers. Following the Royal Noble set, the backdrop was destroyed in a decidedly punk rock fashion—in order to deliver prizes to the audience. Holders of called-out tickets were encouraged to punch through the wall and were rewarded by a disembodied hand-holding various novelties such as glow sticks.

Afterwards, The Molesters NV took the stage unassumingly, less like a band than some wandering pariahs delivering unto the crowd songs of laughter and regret. They’re an acoustic duo and sometimes trio with additional singer Kelly Akins, sister of guitarist Kyle Akins. At their best, they recall the dark and comic wanderings of the Violent Femmes and their count-offs were as mangled as the songs they were meant to set tempo for.

There was much to do about the name. Their theme song, due to what seems are copyright issues, has an appended “NV” to the chorus of “We are the Molesters.” Meanwhile, addressing the controversy of the name, the lead singer said, “We’re called The Molesters because we write such touching songs!”

After their set, one of the band members invited whomever wanted to perform to the stage for a rendition of Daniel Johnston’s “True Love Will Find You in the End,” featuring members of both Royal Noble and The Molesters NV, as well as a few unknown voices fighting for prominence. It was a truly surprising, artistic moment in a night full of them.