There was something instantly exciting about watching the eight-piece River City Extension play the tiny Blank Club this past Sunday, especially seeing them employed such atypical rock instruments as a banjo, violin and trumpet. They played passionate, heartfelt indie-folk that was sincerely fun to watch and different from any other bands currently wearing the indie-folk label.

With barely enough room to fit everyone on stage, River City Extension brought so much energy and talent they instantly took control of the crowd. I predict this relatively obscure New Jersey band will build a solid buzz in the indie rock world within the next couple of years.

With eight people, they were free to vary their instrumentation from song to song. They played keyboards, guitars, percussion, mandolins, you name it. All the different instruments and the fun that was driving their music, made the show feel like a jamboree, similar to the infectious live shows of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. But rather than Sharpe’s freaky, hippie vibe, River City Extension played folk music that was honest, working-class and pure New Jersey rock and roll.

At times, they drifted into the quiet intensity of Fleetwood Mac or the down-and-out guttural pain of Bruce Springsteen. Their songwriting was clearly influenced by Arcade Fire—though a much more complex version of the group. They utilize dynamics to its full extent. When they reached full volume with everyone singing in union, it was a downright hootenanny, without a shred of irony or pretense.

The end of the set brought smiles to everyone’s faces. The band jumped off the stage, carrying percussion, and singing a passionate acapella song. They danced around the audience taking all the pain imbedded in their music and turning it into joy.

Local Ben Henderson, is filling in on bass with the group on this tour, opened the show with a set of his solo material. His music was well-received, as usual. River City Extension’s violinist joined him for a few songs along with Good Hustle bandmate Dan McKee.

“It’s good to be home in San Jose,” Henderson told the crowd, “If only for a day.”

Ben Henderson, who’s been out of town since the beginning of May, will pay San Jose a visit by way of New Jersey when the band he’s been playing bass for, River City Extension, makes a stop at the Blank Club this Sunday. Henderson will also be opening the show with a solo set.

River City Extension, who are well known in their home state of Jersey, are trying to broaden their national fan base by touring in support of their new album, Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Your Anger. It’s a well-crafted record that stands out in the sea of indie-folk, by not just incorporating elements of country, bluegrass and pop, but also delivering some heartfelt passion and bubbling joy, as opposed to the sleepy melancholy popular with a lot of the bigger genre names like Bon Iver, Iron and Wine and Fleet Foxes.

That doesn’t meant that River City Extensions songs aren’t drenched in every bit as much pain as the aforementioned artists. It’s just delivered in a more emotionally complex package. The music at times builds from sad acoustic openers to full out hand-clapping and sing-along foot-stompers. Some songs follow the standard pop formula, but with more sophisticated instrumentation, like a cello, trumpet, mandolin and a banjo. “Welcome to Pittsburg” is a delightful hit single waiting to happen.

The band has eight members, which in the wrong hands, could be musical overkill. But Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Your Anger shows restraint and dynamics. They have grown quite a bit since their debut album by emphasizing both the Americana and pop elements. According to the band’s press release, the two biggest influences on the album were Townes Van Zandt and Feist. It shows.

The range, both lyrically and musically is impressive, but what the album most has going for it is that it’s fun, full of joy and has plenty of working-class Jersey soul.

River City Extension perform at the Blank Club in San Jose on Sunday, June 17, at 8pm; $10.

Ben Henderson, one of San Jose’s most beloved singer-songwriters, is departing on an unexpected month long nationwide tour in June with New Jersey indie-folk band, River City Extension. The most unexpected part of it is that Henderson will be playing in River City Extension, filling in for their bass/banjo player, though he will get to open most of the shows with a solo set of his own music.

This was completely out of left field for Henderson, mostly because he only met the band one time. It was Billy O’Brien from Save Alternative that set this up. Originally from Jersey, O’Brien also manages River City Extension. When their bass/banjo player suddenly informed them that he couldn’t go on the road this summer, they weren’t sure what to do. O’Brien suggested Henderson. What really sold the band was seeing clips of his mastery of multiple instruments in his free-form funk outfit, Good Hustle. O’Brien told the band, “You guys need a bass player and Ben needs to go out on the road and promote his music.” It was perfect.

Henderson is playing his farewell show this Saturday at the San Pedro Square (a show that O’Brien just so happens to be putting on). He leaves for New Jersey this Tuesday so he can spend a month rehearsing with River City Extension (and maybe get to know them) before hitting the road.

River City Extension plays the Blank Club on June 17th. Ben Henderson plays solo at San Pedro Square on April 28th.

Ben Henderson – Summer Beast (live, in a living room)

River City Extension – Nautical Sabbatical: