Sunday Recap: The One AM Radio, Lymbyc System, The Race @ Che Cafe

It's not very often that I make the trek to the Che Cafe. Mostly that's because my car is falling apart, but also has to do with preferring 21+ venues and anything with the words "co-op" or collective means I have to smell the b.o. of someone who thinks they're gonna save the world by skipping showers. Sorry to sound crass or judgmental, but I had to move at least three times because I thought I was gonna gag. Still I was happy to be there on this night. I arrived as the first band started. The Race is a three piece from Chicago that play accompanied by prerecorded drum beats and loops coming from an iPod.

I actually liked their sound though I would have preferred a live drummer. The singer has a pretty deep voice, reminiscent of Joy Division or Interpol and they were easy to like.

The second band of the night were Lymbyc System. I got a little nervous while they set up because there were no vocal mics and I tend to avoid all instrumental music. They had me from the very beginning, however, with pretty compositions that weaved and layered with their moog and korg and other keyboard trickery, and lead by the drums and xylophones. There were a couple songs where they were joined onstage with the one am radio, and the added guitar and horns made the songs even richer. Still, being all instrumental, I listened mostly from the Che patio.

There are certain record labels I just trust...Secretly Canadian, Saddle Creek, Barsuk...that have a strong roster of artists that you can trust are gonna be worth your time. Dangerbird Records is one of those labels for me. Dappled Cities, All Smiles, and Silversun Pickups all have great releases and have played great shows here this year. the one a.m. radio is another on that roster. Though I do have to retract my Elliott Smith comparison. While it might come off that way recorded, live was a different story.

Hrishikesh Hirway is the man behind the one am radio. He was backed up by the Lymbyc System and the arrangements were beautiful. He was kind enough to put me on the list and I captured some of the show, though there are definite lighting issues, which seems to be my eternal curse. This is "Lest I Forget" and I also captured "The Echoing Airports" that you can watch here. If you missed the show, I highly recommend adding the CD to your collection.

Daedalus finished the show, but it was more of a mixing/dj thing with a laptop more than a band thing, and in the first song, when I heard New Order, I decided to call it a night. Though not really because I swung by Bluefoot then met up with friends at the Pink Elephant, then Bryan and I wandered Kensington Park trying to see the meteor shower to no avail. Let's just say I was happy that I had no obligations today. Another great night in San Diego.

Tonight: The One AM Radio @ Che Cafe

My Sunday is going to involve some family and friend time in my home town of Chula Vista for the lemon festival, some hanging around the house later, and an amazing show tonight. If you're out and about tonight, I would highly recommend checking out The One AM Radio at the Che Cafe. Signed to Dangerbird Records, The One AM Radio's release 'this too will pass' is one of my favorites of the year, with melancholic beauty reminiscent of Elliott Smith, with layers of strings and harmonies and even some horns thrown in, in my book this is a can't miss show (even if it means missing The Avett Brothers and Langhorne Slim at the Belly Up). Hope to see some of you there.

Tuesday Newsy Bits

I know there's a lot to choose from tonight in San Diego, but if you're still wondering what to do, I highly recommend checking out Dusty Rhodes and the River Band tonight at the Belly Up. I'd be there if my timing worked out, but it's not gonna. They are amazing live and next time they come around they'll be touring with Los Lobos, which means you won't be able to afford it (but your mom will).
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As Chickrawker has already posted, Scarlet Symphony are reuniting and playing a show on June 10 at Southwestern College for 94/9 Indie Jam. A festival show at Harvard on the Hill. I cannot wait to feel like I'm 14 all over again. Anyone have a motorhome? Other bands announced today: Interpol, Kings of Leon, Spoon, Living Things, Aggrolites, and Test Your Reflex.

Tickets for this Year's FM 94/9 Miller Lite Independence Jam go on sale Saturday, May 12th at 10am. Tickets are $40 with no service charge or parking fee and $1.00 donation to the About The Music fund when purchased online or at a retail location. Tickets can be purchased online at Casbah Tickets or in person you can do so by visiting either of the two San Diego Hydroponics and Organics locations or M-Theory records in Mission Hills.
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Zerox banned from Ché Café:
The little Chula Vista boys Zerox posted this last night:

banned from the che... O.K.
i never much liked playing there anyway
they said they only wanted well behaved boys
do they think guitars and microphones are just fucking toys?

Ché Café: People Are Sometimes Bastards

I just got an e-mail from Rich over at Liner Notes on Sign On San Diego. He heard the Lanterns on 94/9 talking about stolen donations during the benefit show and did a little digging, and here's what the Ché collective told him:

Yes, it is true our donation jar was stolen
during the benefit show. It wasn't our door ticket donation container, but
another one for additional donations...We're pretty angry about it
(AT A BENEFIT SHOW NO LESS!).

Thanks,
-Che Cafe Collective

That wasn't the money that CatDirt donated, was it? This show was to collect donations for a new soundsystem at the Ché so may karma get the little punks that swiped the box.