Photos: X- Fest 2015- Modest Mouse, Public Enemy, The Cult, Cold War Kids, Atlas Genius

A week ago today, Darren and I were running errands trying to get our butts in gear to get to X-Fest at a reasonable time. Unfortunately some things just can't be avoided and we got there as Atlas Genius was finishing. I didn't have a photo pass- which was actually a good thing because they have a weird policy of sequestering photographers after the first three songs of each set so they don't take photos- meaning they're sitting alone in a box for the majority of the day. I did manage a few photos throughout the day and figured it was about time my posts were more than just listings and Observatory and Casbah shows. I have to say this was maybe my favorite X-Fest of all time and Public Enemy was the best I'd ever seen them. All the pics are after the jump.

Writer Tour: SXSW Day 1 Part 2

So after playing the Singing Serpent show and watching Henry Clay People rock out in a crowded bar on 6th St. We heard that the Cold War Kids were playing somewhere by 1st St. across the river. I thought this will be great, I saw them when they played the Casbah, and a crowded bar is definitely a great way to see them, unfortunately after trekking across downtown Austin for what seemed like ages, we stumbled upon the large outdoor venue which was more like seeing them at Street Scene. We stayed through some of their set as we got lost in the sea of people, but we wanted to be at the bars, not a corporate-fest stage.
Trying to leave huge outdoor area was confusing and we almost ended up backstage, you could hear the security guard stutter his words as he asked us "Are you guys supposed to be back here?" We were definitely grungy enough to be in the Cold War Kids, but we left anyways to go see Rob Crow at the Singing Serpent showcase.
About 40 blocks later, we were back where we started at the Iron Gate, unfortunately Rob Crow was packing up, so we just chilled for a while drinking beers with my friend Riyadh and some of the SD crew there.

Eventually the bar turned into a Mexican dance hall with an age limit of 40 and up, so we headed over the Ms. Beas across the street for Indian Jewelry. There were so many kids there, you couldn't see the band (no stage). So we snuck around back, since there was opening in the gate. Indian Jewelry were really great, and had a lot of energy created by this rhythmic droning and some cool electronic grit to it.

Click on Keep On Reading to get the whole story.

Next was Best Friends Forever on gazebo style stage. A three piece fronted by two females singing songs that are cleverly sarcastic, light-hearted, and empowering enough to make me feel that Adam was created from Eve's rib bone. Loved it, and a flute solo when you thought it couldn't get any better.

After Best Friends Forever finished, we decided to keep cruising. We really just started roaming randomly, no plan. Eventually we heard some rockin music going on and lights and people and free, so we stopped by. Just so happened to be the Obscure Magpie showcase, which Transfer was playing as we walked in. It was an medium sized outdoor venue with great stage backdrops. Transfer played on the main stage, with amazing lights in front and behind the stage. They rocked really hard and it was good seeing San Diego representing.

After Transfer was Apes of Wrath playing on the smaller stage which also had cool lighting, and these guys were going off as usual. I have a couple friends who ever time they see Apes they tell me "This is my new favorite band from San Diego."

After supporting the San Diego bands at Obscure Magpie, we made our way back to Ms. Beas, mostly because that is where are car was parked and it was almost 2AM. This is when the coolest show happened. An acoustic showcase under a tree, featuring a bunch of the bands playing Ms. Beas. This was a truly communal and happy event, each artist got to play two songs and everyone was just hanging out like campfire style. The notable performances were Wavves, Best Friends Forever, Still Flyin, The Homosexuals, and Jana Hunter. I was lucky enough to get some footage of Wavves, who seems to be the new young star from San Diego, signed to Fat Possum Records. I wondered what it was going to sound like without all the fuzz. They were some cool songs.
The show ended at 4AM with a ceremonial burning of some random stuff and we had nowhere to stay. So like true bohemians, we set in for the night in Andy's Honda Element. Day 1 of SXSW was amazing to say the least and we couldn't wait for what was in store for day 2. More story to come later...

Overdue Recap: Cold War Kids, Casbah, 9.22.08

I am a lucky, lucky girl, and I never take it for granted that this blog, while it doesn't make any money and while I still maintain a full time day job, has afforded me some lucky perks. I have been privy to sold out shows, get hired to sell merch when bands need it, and Tim and the staff treat me very well. In this case, I was allowed to see Cold War Kids back at the Casbah after they've been on a nearly non-stop loop of festivals and large theatre shows. I got to watch them soundcheck among the bar staff and listen to Nathan belt out his tunes to a very empty room. Needless to say, it was awesome. Full story if you 'keep on reading'.

Cold War Kids (soundcheck)






Eventually, everyone was allowed inside, and as far as I'd heard, everyone who had waited in line was eventually filtered into the club, though many chose to watch for the smoking patio, and they did run out of the free CDs being distributed at the door. Being that this was the CD release show, the Kids played a handful of songs of their latest release, but didn't disappoint the crowd who wanted to hear the older favorites, too. Because of the late start of the show (12:30?), the band plugged through a solid hour of music before having to call it a night. It was truly a great night of music and one that a lot of people will talk about in the future in the way music snobs do...like "Yeah, Man, I was so there."

Cold War Kids "Hang Me Up To Dry"


Cold War Kids "Hospital Beds"


Cold War Kids "Something Is Not Right With Me"


Cold War Kids "St. John"








Setlist (as listed by the band):

Against Privacy

Every Valley

Vacation

Mexican Dogs

Every Man I Fall For

Something is Not Right

Hospital Beds

Dreams

I've seen enough

Hang Me Up To Dry

encore:

Saint John

Overdue Recap: The Luxury & Apes of Wrath, Casbah, 9.22.08

I would like to be really delicate about how I write this, because I don't know who was had to make the call for the way things went down, but it made me uncomfortable. I had planned on going to see The Luxury (from Boston) and Apes of Wrath at the Anti-Monday League show on September 22 for some time. I didn't preview the show because I'd gotten busy and figured that the usual Anti-Monday Leaguers would show up, especially for local favorites Apes of Wrath. I'll just say that the early bands got kinda screwed. More if you 'keep on reading'.

Cold War Kids decided to have their CD release show at the Casbah on the same night, and instead of combining the shows, they were managed separately. People were told that if they were inside for the first show, they'd have to leave the venue and get in line for the second show, which by 9 was already over 100 people long. So, most people, knowing they were going to see Cold War Kids for a rare performance back in a small venue, plus get a free CD, all for $10, naturally didn't want to risk not getting in for the second show. This basically meant there were about 15 people at the Anti-Monday League show, which was really sad, because while we already know Apes are great, The Luxury were on a self funded tour and probably won't be back anytime soon. Like I said, I don't know whose decision it was (though I have a strong feeling it was CWK's label), but it would've been cool to just combine the shows, charge $15 at the door, and have those 300 people in line inside catching the early show, not to mention spending money inside the venue.

All of that said, it was great to see Apes of Wrath's full set since I always seem to miss them entirely or just catch a part of their set. I am not the only one who believes they're one of San Diego's best acts of the moment, and all the guys are total sweethearts, too.

I was slightly familiar with The Luxury via a press release and I was supposed to run a contest giveaway for tickets to their show and in retrospect, I wish I had because they were really, really good. I know it was disheartening for them to play knowing that there was a huge crowd amassing outside the venue but they played with a lot of heart and they've got some great music and stellar vocals. After the show, I met Jason, the singer, who gave me a CD which I have been listening to a lot lately; I guess I would only say I would've liked to have heard them play some of the ballads because the recording is beautiful, but I think they were also given a shorter set time than they would've otherwise had.

The Luxury "Covered In Smiles"

Incidentally, the Casbah did end up letting most of the people who took their chances pay for the second show and stay inside, though I understand why they couldn't publicly announce that they would do so. I had the good fortune of getting to hear CWK sound check while they closed the doors to the venue and kept the crowd on the patio and in the Atari Lounge. It was a very late show by the time CWK hit the stage, but generally I think the crowd got what they wanted, but I'll save that for another post.

Street Scene 2008: Photos From Day 2

My day two of Street Scene started with me waiting at the bus stop until I realized Jake wasn't really mad at me and he was gonna pick me up after getting Dagart. So after 10 minutes at the bus stop, I waited for them at the Ken Club and had a bloody mary. Todd makes them so tasty. Eventually Dag and Jake showed up, but we picked up Sean and he took forever so I missed The Whigs. Oh well. Shockingly, that bloody mary turned out to be the only drink I had the entire day. One sponsor of Street Scene was "UpShot" which is a pomegranate energy shot. I drank one with major naivete, like, hey, I like pomegranate! The shit tasted terrible and seriously fucked me up for the entire night. It made me nauseous, shaky, and I felt like shit all night. But, a blogger's gotta do what a blogger's gotta do, so I endured and took some pics of the day. The bands were great, and when Natalie sent me a text that said "The National will make you feel better" she was almost right. All my pics after the jump.


By the time we arrived and I got my photo pass, I'd already missed The Whigs, but made it in time for some photos of Spiritualized. Man, were they amazing. Their sound was beautiful and made me wanna group hug everyone. And I don't believe in God, but they made me feel like I did.

Spiritualized







From Spiritualized, I was on to Dengue Fever who have an incredible back story which you can read pretty much everywhere on the web, so I'll spare you. But the Cambodian influence is strong in the music and the band appeared to be having a great time on stage, which always wins me over. I thought they were great, but I could easily see how they are a love them or hate them band with a sound so different to your average American.

Dengue Fever




I am pretty sure I have seen every Cold War Kids appearance in San Diego, aside from perhaps private radio station shows. Saw them open for Two Gallants, saw them play the sidestage at the House of Blues, have seen every Casbah show, sold merch for them at the Belly Up, and have seen their giant stage shows at Indy Jam and now Street Scene. The band had a really unfortunate stage set with monitors lined up all the way across the stage, so my pictures really sucked, but I held my photo spot because I knew Nathan would hit the keys, so here were the best I could get.

Cold War Kids




I'm surprised to see so much shit talking about Tokyo Police Club. They're fast, fun, and super young, and after seeing them 3 or 4 times, I still like them.

Tokyo Police Club




I've seen The Hives before but never had the opportunity to take pics of them and I can say they are hilarious and enthusiastic and I love their false bravado and false egos. They embrace the "We Are Rock Stars" mantra and play it up throughout their entire performance. It was awesome taking pics of them because all the big deal photogs with their monster zooms couldn't adjust to the band standing directly above us. Suckas!

The Hives






I was so excited to see Ghostland Observatory again, so I got to their stage half an hour early, just to make sure I got to the pit and so as not to be bullied by the one dude from Getty Images who seemed to think he was more important than everyone else with his ridiculous lens and his girlfriend in tow. I held my spot, but of course forgot the crazy fog machine, which pretty much made my picture taking completely worthless.

Ghostland Observatory






I think it was on the way to The Hives that I took that goddamn energy shot and it was during Ghostland Observatory that the goddamn shot made me want to vomit. Not that I was gonna go join into one of the many dance circles that had formed, but I was pissed, and I left Street Scene and hit a taco shop a couple blocks down. My food was terrible but it was food and I thought it might make me feel better or settle the crazy caffeine jitters I had. And there was a customers only bathroom, but I'm sad to say there was some disgusting man who used it before me and the smell was so horrific that I waited until I was back at the Street Scene port-a-potties. Seriously. Good job on that one, Hagey! Anyway, when I got back, I listened to X as I sat near the tree planters in the parking lot just hoping I'd feel better. Eventually I made my way to the stage where The National was going to play, but they said photographers weren't allowed in just yet, so I chilled out. I actually laid down with my purse as a pillow as I felt like a freakin tweaker. Natalie and Pete joined me, and as we chilled near the photo pit entrance, Matt, the singer of The National came out from backstage to say hi to friends. I popped to my feet, and as he returned backstage, I asked if we could take pics with him, and he was so kind and obliged, though unfortunately my amazing photographer friend Natalie took the worse pic ever of us, so I'm not even posting it. Still, it was nice that he introduced himself and chatted for a sec right before his show.

As for their show, I am ever amazed by The National. And apparently most of my friends don't get it. Which is fine. I could give a shit. Because seriously, there are maybe 4 bands or musicians that I consider my 'go to' bands that I listen to when I'm loving life, when I'm depressed, when I can't sleep, and when I want to party: Rocky Votolato, Ryan Adams, Okkervil River, and The National. I loved their set and I always love seeing them. (like the last time when I snuck onstage) Matt was having some serious trouble ("Something in my throat broke") and they cut the set about 10 minutes short, but I still loved every second of their performance. The security lost count and allowed photographers for 4 songs, and when I tried to tell them it had already been three, they argues it was 2, so I went back in and took more pics.


The National








After The National, I realized I'd used up my entire memory card on my camera, so I wandered trying to find Jake and Dagart. Honestly, while The National made me feel slightly better, that stupid energy drink still had me feeling like shit so I was ready to go. We hung out for a while listening to Devo from afar and then catching one song from Man Man before we finally called it a night and put the seal on another Street Scene. Despite the energy drink crap, I had a great weekend. Honestly, I don't care where Street Scene is held. If you're a lover of music, there is always something to love.