By STEVEN YARDLEY

STAFF WRITER

Start Making Sense burned down the house Saturday night. The theme house community and locals piled into the show early, packing the Barn for the first song.

This year, Start Making Sense switched things up, starting the show with Hall & Oates covers like “Rich Girl” and “She’s Gone.” The funky covers had everyone singing, chipper, and grinning by the barricades.

“We began playing originals at this bar in town, and the bar owner suggested having a cover band night,” says drummer Jesse Braun. “We couldn’t collectively decide what band to pick, and the bar owners wife swept in our conversation, saying she’d love the Talking Heads. We threw together nine songs, and had one of the greatest nights. The energy and liveliness of the songs brings joy to our lives, and our audiences and that is why we are still playing six years later, touring from Maine to Florida.” Jesse tours with his brother Jon Braun, the lead singer and guitarist in the white suit with the wide-open eyes. He unblinkingly impersonates David Byrnes.

80’s new wave and art punk saturated the venue. Jon Braun threw his jangly arms up spasmodically like they were electrocuted by the music. He would act out the lyrics with his hands during “Once In a Lifetime” and knock himself in the head with his palm. Things got real weird, and that was David Byrnes genius. Often his impersonator would jog in place or wildly stomp his foot with his rocking red Stratocaster in his hand. The audience mirrored the freedom expressed on stage, belting the lyrics rooted in their heads since childhood by oldies radio stations and record collections.

Start Making Sense is one of the best bands to dance to that come to Java. Their lyrics are catchy and contagious. Their grooves get everyone moving, even though the show was overcrowded with hundreds flooding from inside and outside the barn.  Many people told me Sunday morning that their bodies were sore, and necks needed ice. That is a sign of a good show.

“What sets the Java Barn apart from other venues?” I asked Jesse.

“You have a good thing goin’ on here. Java allows us to be free on stage, not be afraid to get weird and be ourselves. Usually we have to tone down depending on the bars we play at, but the past years coming here, it’s been so easy to play the music we love,” Jesse said.

Every time this band comes to Canton, I remember that “this must be the place” where freedom and fun exist on campus. Lets create the same atmosphere THIS week for Java Open Mic Thursday, and the Alchemystics Friday.