Elf Power & Flowers Forever, 4.21.08

Before the shutter button popped off my camera, I caught Elf Power, Flowers Forever, and the last couple songs from Agent Ribbons. It was one of those kinda quiet nights, where they let people in through the sidestage door instead of the main entrance.

Agent Ribbons is a two-piece girl duo and they were dancey pants and super fun. The singer was sporting a lime green dress which contrasted her Raggedy Ann red curls as she danced around the stage. I've heard great things about the band and the couple songs I saw were great, so I look forward to seeing them again. They seem like a perfect house party band, perhaps paired with Jamuel Saxon.

Forever Flowers, from Omaha, were up second, and I really liked them a lot but couldn't really place who I thought they sounded like, mostly because the singer reminded me of the singer from Material Issue with his bowl haircut. I kept humming "Valerie Loves Me" in my head. Had I taken more cash, I would've bought their CD, so I'll keep an eye out for them in the future.



Last up was Elf Power and I loved their last CD, Back To The Web so I had to catch them again, even though this time around, just like the last, they played stuff from their entire catalogue and I wasn't familiar with most of it. The singer has this intriguing look...I couldn't stop thinking that he looks like a cross between Mike Kamoo of The Stereotypes and Jeff Tweedy. Their set was sweet and the girls from Agent Ribbons and their friends made it a full on dance party up in front, which from the look on the singer's face, was a first. The jangly guitars and his sweet voice made it for an enjoyable night of music.









After the show, I went to U-31 to see the mechanical bull riding which was awesome, because Josh from Silent Comedy rode the bull like a madman. It was pretty fun and maybe one of these days, I might mount the little bovine myself.

Wednesday Night Recap (Pt.2): Elf Power, Birds of Avalon, Red Pony Clock

I am not gonna lie. No sooner did I hand my $10 to the Casbah doorguy, I'd regretted it immensely. I was so tired my eyes were barely staying open. Red Pony Clock was onstage already and I love their mini-orchestra, switching instruments, and I like the way the lyrics sound like someone just reading from a personal diary. But man, I was tired. Still, I watched their set and debated in my head whether or not I was gonna make it.







In between bands, I was one of those people you always see falling asleep on the bench seat in the little hall between the men's bathroom and the smoking patio. I had my earplugs in, hood over my head, and just sat quiet until Birds Of Avalon took the stage. They were really cool, though no way you could think the singer sounded like anything or anyone but Robert Plant. The music at times sounded like the Doors, at times like Floyd, but his vocals were always undoubtedly Zep.









I was hanging on, trying to make it through the night. It was no fault of the bands, I was just wiped out. "Just another hour," I kept thinking to myself. Once Elf Power got onstage, that hour+ flew by. Their 2006 album Back to The Web was probably in my top 5 last year for just how many times I played it. They toured to back the release, but as far as I know, skipped San Diego, so despite being tired, I am so glad I was there and I'm so glad I stuck around.

By the way, this is only gonna be funny to people who know who I'm talking about, but what do you get when you cross Mike Kamoo with Win Butler?


I thought from the album that there would be a lot more moog, but the live cello was amazing. The set covered almost all of Back to The Web and weaved in older material, too.











There wasn't a huge crowd there, but everyone there seemed to be enjoying themselves. When the band came back onstage for a 2 song encore, it was a full on hippie jam, which was foreign to me, but totally funny to watch.



In the end, it was 12:30ish as I was walking out the door and after getting home and letting the dog out, I was asleep before my head even hit the pillow. This weekend will be a good one of rest...

Newsy Bits for Wednesday: Orion Frequency- Over? and more

Woah. Just got this release today from Orion Frequency:

After playing together for over 3 years, Orion Frequency has officially disbanded. Rip Griswold (singer, bass), "We have taken the project as far as we can go with it and wanted to part ways on a good note. Much love to everyone". Ryan Orion (singer, guitarist), "It's been a blast, we've made a lot of friends along the way. Thank you for having us out to rock the house". Cale Uecker (drums), "Thank you all!”

Although there's nothing official in the works, long time writing collaborators Rip and Ryan look to explore new music frontiers and are currently looking for other musicians that might want to sit in on some sessions and see where the writing may go. Cale says he's taking a break from being in a band for a while but might be back at it down the road.

The band is scheduled to play their final farewell show this Sunday March 11th at Chaser's (3615 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego) opening for (members of Death Angel), The All Time Highs and local favorites The Homeless Sexuals. To catch Orion Frequency's final performance, they go on at 9:30PM.

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This from Anya Marina:

The hit CBS show Numbers will feature a brand new Anya Marina track called "Not a Through Street" on Friday night at 10 p.m. We hear it's going to be a great scene!

To make the deal even sweeter, Anya will be releasing a two-song digital EP on iTunes this Friday to coincide with the Numbers broadcast. So fans that hear the song on Numbers (or just really loved hearing it on MySpace or at her live shows) can buy the EP, which includes "Move You (Slow & Steady Seduction Phase II)" and "Not a Through Street" with new, original artwork.
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Genesis is back together and touring late summer/early fall. The tour will not come through San Diego, but will make a stop in LA. I'm only posting this because I just had a conversation with my friend Tony about them this weekend. He was wearing a "Stop Genocide In Darfur" shirt and he said he thought the shirt was "Stop Genesis On Tour". That guy is wiser than people give him credit for.
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Ernest Gallo died yesterday at 97 years old. You know back in the day you guzzled that horrible wine he made, so show some respect, buy some E&J Gallo Sangría, and pour one out for our homie.
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Before heading to the Casbah last night, I made myself a little dinner and watched the first 10 minutes or so of "The Search For The Next Pussycat Doll". I don't need to say how god awful it was, but there was one girl, in the introductions about why they want to be a Pussycat Doll said something like "Pussycat Dolls are the voice of our generation." I just had to cry a little.
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More bands are announcing tours through San Diego...Elf Power will be at the Casbah on May 2, and Goldenboy plans on coming through town on May 21, with a venue tbd.
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Jocelyn Celaya is a quasi local hailing from just south of the border in Rosarito. A well known "radical classical guitarist", she tours Mexico extensively and has just announced a new tour, with a couple stops in San Diego. Catch her March, 21 2007 at Acual Al 2 performing with Tony Moore of Cutting Crew ( I just died in Your Arms Tonight). She will also be playing on March 28 at the Westgate Hotel. Check her out.
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Lastly, Tool has just rescheduled their tour dates. Originally scheduled to play on March 20th, the show has now been moved to May 2. The show will still be at Cox Arena.
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