The venue is dimly lit and washed in a purple hue. You tip and thank your bartender as best as you can given the cacophony of the room and find your place in the crowd. In between songs, public service announcements can be heard from the front runner of Market Research, Jake Marciniak.

Statements along the lines of, “Thank you for coming to our show, and giving us your credit card information!” fill the gaps between loud, punchy songs that at times are reminiscent of Ska, Punk, or Midwest Emo. But while their Spotify page lists inspirations such as “The Strokes, Spoon, Car Seat Headrest, Nana Grizol, and more,” this band cannot be categorically placed into a box.

Each song on the band’s debut Spotify album, Core Values, dips into a different bag of tricks. Released in April of 2023, the record takes on different personalities.

“Extended Self” opens with a fuzzy rhythmic guitar line, with vocals following this hazy motif. “Used To” features a complex bassline that is heavily complimented by the bright lead guitar, dancing together throughout the song. The album’s opener, “Rust Belt”, sets an almost melancholic tone at the beginning. The lyrics “I don’t wanna be different anymore / I don’t wanna be bigger anymore”, mark the leadup to a complete tonal shift heard in both the vocals and backing band.

The crowd favorite of the performance at Mr. Goodbar on Feb. 3 was an unreleased song titled “Pretty Boy”. The climax of the song features Marciniak almost screaming into the microphone, begging the listener to let them be pretty. This heartbreaking confession of a lapse in security resonated deeply with the concertgoers, resulting in the loudest cheer of the night.

Market Research is a refreshing band to see take the stage and bare their souls for the crowd to enjoy. For those interested in seeing them live—and are over the age of 21—can find them at the 16th Annual Fundraiser for the Niagara Arts and Cultural Center on Mar. 1, 2024.