It is both disconcerting and enjoyable to enter The Bottleneck for an early/all-ages show. After spending countless nights in a smoky, dark club filled with jaded rockers, patrons can take advantage of the venue's skylights (sunlight can actually enter The Bottleneck?!?!?!) and gaze upon fresh-faced youngsters.

Proudentall offered the kids a mixed bag of tricks that included songs from its recently released CD, What's Happening Here, as well as a newer, unnamed tune that becomes more elegantly chaotic each time it's performed. Whereas Proudentall's past few performances seemed to lack both inspiration and a real knockout punch, tonight's concert saw the band injecting a sense of urgency into every note. Singer-guitarist Matt Dunehoo's voice was spectacularly clear, and the band played with a renewed sense of enthusiasm as a slowly building yet appreciative crowd witnessed its return to prime form.