Musee Mecanique @ Casbah, 3.31.08

After an e-mail dialog and a media stream of an album, I was quite happy on Monday to check out Musee Mecanique. While I was offered an interview with the band, I declined...I'm still just not feeling adequate to go there...but nonetheless, I've been listening to the band's forthcoming album on the stream and I knew I was not going to be disappointed by their show at the Casbah for this week's Anti-Monday League.

I arrived midway through the set from the Casbah debut of the Wrong Trousers and they sounded far more polished than I expected, though my pictures look like shit so I'll spare you. They're a three piece, under 21 bunch from Coronado, who got a little bit of buzz from some random YouTube video of them performing "Video Killed The Radio Star", which wouldn't seem notable, except that the band consists of a stand up bass, a mandolin, and a harp. I was really impressed with the half of the set I caught, not only because their music is beautiful...mixing unexpected covers by the likes of The Strokes with originals, but their storytelling and stage banter reminded me a lot of Nickel Creek, whereas they sound so cute, particularly when the harpist explains that she wrote a song about a first grade crush named Calvin, "and if you ever see him, kick him in the butt for me." The song goes on about her passing a note of the "Do you like me?" variety and closes with something like "you didn't have to circle 'no' a million times." Their naivete is sweet and almost disguises how amazing this band is destined to be.

Then came Musee Mecanique, with two members who were born and bred in SD, but who formed their band in Portland. They were supposed to play here in the fall, however they arrived the first day of our firestorms and ended up playing at a friend's house which ended up being evacuated the next morning.

The band is made up of five members, rotating instruments including guitars, keys, accordion, and drums, among other sounds, and it was beautiful. And did I mention they played a saw? I would love love love to see this band perform with Old Man Hands as they're very much the same vein. Third song in was Fits and Starts, my personal fave of what I've heard of their recordings, and I'm only sorry that Justin killed the center lights at the Casbah or I'd have recorded the song on video.

On top of their amazing set, which had the crowd begging for more (though full disclosure I must acknowledge most of the audience were friends and family). Nonetheless, I thought they sounded great and picked up the tour EP and an American Apparel tee for $20, and when Abraham and Jason showed up after the set, I talked them into buying the EP as well.

Here are the pics:






The night closed out with Diana Death, but their sound just wasn't right for the night, so instead we hung on the patio with the band and chatted and I caught up with my friends. When things should've ended, my friends and I decided to catch last call at Cherry Bomb, but sometimes you just have to go with the wild impulse. And I'm glad I did; it was a great night of music sealed with a great night with my pals. And what better way to express that Anti-Monday feeling?

Sunday Recap: Gram Rabbit, The Roman Spring

I was writing so long that I lost track of time and all of the sudden realized it was 10:30 so I headed to the Casbah, hoping to catch The Roman Spring. I missed the first band, Sabrosa Purr, but heard the were good (albeit "really loud"). Fortunately I walked in toward the beginning of The Roman Spring's set. This was the best I've ever heard them. The band is always tight, but Alex, the singer, seems to really be coming into his own and owning the songs he sings.


The band hasn't played all that often lately because Jake was doing sound for Louis XIV but he's back now.


Tim is all healed from having his jaw wired shut and could get back to his backup vocals.


I saw Gram Rabbit once last year when they played one of Tim Pyles' Sunday Casbah BBQs and I thought they had great energy. This time, they were just off the charts. From what I remembered from last time, I don't remember such an electronic element to their music, but it totally works for their catchy tunes. Maybe most of San Diego was at Cane's watching two dj's behind turntables, but there was a full on dance party at the Casbah, too, and with a full band, it was much more my speed than Justice ever would've been.



Jesika Von Rabbit has so much appeal on stage, though she's so serious, it's hard to tell if she's enjoying herself. She's really sexy and isn't afraid to be sexy onstage, and it never takes away from her talent. I thought her outfit was something very Shakira, Abraham said maybe more Cher, but her voice kinda falls somewhere between Gwen Stefani and "Groove Is In The Heart" Dee-Lite. For this music it works.











The band played a cover of Jefferson Airplane's "White Rabbit" and this rabbit came onstage to join the band. The production was fun throughout the show and it seems it could very easily translate to a much larger stage.



Jesika took off her jacket and suddenly all the guys who were at the bar or out smoking came back in to check things out.



Then this girl came onstage, dancing like GiGi from MC Flow, with sparkly dumbells and whatnot.


I don't think it was planned that she would tackle Jesika, but she did, knocking down her keyboard, both of them ending up on the floor, Jesika kicking her off then kicking down several pieces of the drumkit.

The show ended relatively early and Abraham suggested we head to the Cherry Bomb. I hadn't been in a while, but we talked to other people and that was the consensus plan. We got there and assumed everyone else bailed but just before last call, in walks Porter, both Casbah Bens, Monique, Tim, Jake, Melinda, and then all of Gram Rabbit and a couple of their friends. It was a good time for sure, albeit short. When the bar closed, everyone was going to an after party at this girl's house in Golden Hill, so we were on our way. It was definitely an interesting night. I saw stuff that I really shouldn't write about here...kinda like 'what happens in vegas...' and I don't want to violate code but it was a fun time for sure.


This was the neighbor who was kind enough to let me use his bathroom when the one at the party was occupied by multiple people for an extended period of time.


Todd from Gram Rabbit was really cool and we hung outside most of the time with a few other people.


I'm not really sure what time it was, but I took Abraham home then returned to the party and apparently I missed something, but people started acting a little nutso...yelling, crying, shit talking, etc. I didn't stay too much longer after that, but the sun was rising when I finally made it home relishing the night I had. I very much look forward Gram Rabbit coming back to town for more good times. Needless to say, Monday was a chill day at home behind the computer and now it's time to catch some zzz's. Things to Do list will be posted on Tuesday.