Margot & The Nuclear So and Sos, Mike Bloom, Emery Byrd, Casbah, 5.26.08

After a very, very lethargic Monday, I headed down to the Casbah for Anti-Monday League.

Local boys Emery Byrd kicked off the night and sounded ...um, is it okay to say 'delicious' when describing music? It had been too long since I'd seen them play and I was happy to have arrived in time to catch their whole set.



Actually, I really didn't take many pics the whole night because the lighting just wasn't in my favor. Someone put deep blue gels over the two center lights that used to be yellow and they were kept low for most of the night.

LA's Mike Bloom was on after Emery Byrd and was having massive issues with the sound. The monitors were kicking in and out randomly. That was only slightly annoying to the crowd but really annoying to Mike. Eventually Jake fixed it, but I was getting impatient already because the set change between Emery Byrd and Mike Bloom was really long...over half an hour just for a dude with a guitar. First song into Mike and I was about ready to leave for the patio, but I stuck it out and actually ended up really enjoying his set...vocals brought to mind Jeff Buckley at times. I was up front most of the set until the very end and moved toward the bar where I realized that if you weren't within 6 feet of the stage, all you could hear was the noisy crowd chatting. Actually, chatting is an understatement...people were carrying on quite loudly. It really, really can be grating and I'm sure it was frustrating for Mike as well, so he's forgiven for the minor whining.



Finally Margot & The Nuclear So and Sos hit the stage. It was already after 11:30. I twittered that perhaps I didn't pick the right night to not drink. I was getting antsy. But they finally came onstage, all 8 of them and their 300 instruments and gave the crowd a great show. Jake was on sound, as he has been for their whole tour, but it was funny because the band would be playing in complete darkness before he remembered to up the lights again, too, something someone else usually does on the tour, so like I said, minimal pictures.

The band sounded amazing and dynamic. They mostly played material I was familiar with but threw in a couple new songs from their "maybe new album, that may be released in the fall, maybe by Sony". The crowd dug on their set, too, particularly the one girl singing on the top of her lungs to most of the songs who was standing 6 inches from my ear. Could've done without that, but the show was excellent and I was thoroughly entertained once again by the percussionist dancing, banging things, and make Blue Steele faces at the crowd.

Here are the pics:






After the set I didn't much feel like hanging around, so I bolted to get my head in check for the short work week. I'm hoping I'll have time to post about the National later tonight before the Swervedriver show, but I have to admit- I just got Troy Johnson's book Family Outing and I could barely put it down last night. I'm already half way through, so this weekend expect a review of that, too. Till then, have a great day.

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New Years Eve 2007/ New Years Day 2008

By sunrise, everyone was gone and I spent the day preparing for New Year's Eve, stocking up on some beer and some mixers, cleaning, and just relaxing. Which was just what I needed before the big night ahead.

When it was finally time to leave the house, I saw Matt through the window at Bleu Boheme, so I had to say hi and have one of his delicious vodka mojitos, which was the perfect drink to start my night. Poor Matt, however, was slammed while simultaneously being hit on by every guy at the bar, so I finished my drink and promised to come by again later.

After the drink, it was Ken Club time. The bar was packed because the band side wasn't open yet, but I made my way over there after procuring a drink, because Brett wanted me to take pics of the room. I've been saying how Bodie has been fixing up the bar lately. He started on the bar side with the floors and replacing the vinyl along the bar, a couple weeks ago he had new booths put in the band room, and he's working on the floors at the moment, but I was so stunned at how pretty the room looked since over the prior week, he'd painted it a warm shade of red. I got to taking pics right away.

The bar was still a little too crowded, so a friend and I decided to go back to Bleu Boheme for another drink there. I guess the time was passing faster than I thought. I didn't realize we'd take so long, so I'm sorry we ended up missing Get Back Loretta entirely. Vitro had canceled because the drummer was stuck in a midwest snowstorm, so we arrived in time to see Microphone Mike who pretty much kicks ass on stage, schtick or not.






I didn't bust out the camera too much during the show, but there was a lovely midnight toast, then Transfer hit the stage and brought it down. I thought it was funny how many people were racing to be somewhere else after midnight, like there was this frenzy to get somewhere better. I, on the other hand, was exactly where I wanted to be.

Transfer played pretty much right up until last call, and afterward the band and a bunch of friends came over to my cozy apartment where we drank for a bit. Then everyone headed off to Black Box, but I opted to stay home. Todd came over from the bar as everyone was leaving and we chilled out for a bit watching tv. He had to work at the bar in the morning, so we crashed out and he was off to work a few hours later. The result of my late night was a chill out day. I woke up early and cleaned up the house a bit, then crawled right back into bed.

Later, my parents picked me up and we went to PB to hang with my sis and bro, and of course, Johanna, who was all giggles. I couldn't have asked for a better way to spend the end of one great year and to start off another.

Happy New Year, Party People

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Friday Recap: Emery Byrd, The Roman Spring, Joanie + Secretaries @ Tower Bar

Could I have had a lazier weekend? Probably not. While I probably should've been doing work, instead I was lounging and eating leftovers and napping and wearing pajamas like they're a uniform. It has been really great. I did, however, motivate and head out by nightfall each night.

Friday night found me at the Tower Bar for Joanie + Secretaries, The Roman Spring, and Emery Byrd. Do I even need to say that it was a fun night? Joanie and the Secretaries started off the night and it was nice to see that a band whose vocals are somewhat gentle can still pull in a full crowd at the Tower Bar, traditionally known for hosting louder more aggressive music. The same was true for Saturday night, but I'm getting ahead of myself.

So Joanie played. She has Ray Suen on guitar and violin, and shares the same drummer from the Ex-Friends, while she rotates on bass, guitar, and keys with someone I didn't know. They sounded really, really great. Joanie's voice can easily go up against any of those indie chicks touted by indie blogger nation.





The Roman Spring were up next. Poor Alex had to wait outside in the cold until it was time for them to play. Every time I see him, there's very clear growth vocally. The band had Ray play with them for a bit, too, which really upped the energy in the room.







Last up was Emery Byrd. I'm really glad these guys are playing around town more frequently because they never disappoint. They're not only polished, but Matt's stage presence, even in the Tower Bar where the band is level with the crowd, would make you believe they're used to playing much larger stages. Or at least that they should be.





After the show ended, I headed back to the Ken Club, but the bands were already done, so I hung out with Todd and Kittyhead until the bar closed, then came home and set up my snowman holiday/winter/christmas menagerie. I still have yet to buy my tree, but at least I've got my snowmen.

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More Pics: Steve Poltz & Dennis Borlek, Joanie & Ray

I forgot to add these pics to the last post and decided to make it a new one:


First, here's Steve Poltz and Dennis Borlek. There's an interview with Steve in the Nov/Dec issue of Music Matters. Pick up a copy at the Casbah.


Here's Ray Suen and Joanie Mendenhall. Ray just got back from Australia after a tour with Louis XIV. Joanie's band Joanie + Secretaries is playing on Friday night at the Tower Bar with The Roman Spring and Emery Byrd. In that same Music Matters mentioned above, there's a great pic of Matt, the singer of Emery Byrd. Someday that mag will come online, but till then, check out the glossy.

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Friday Recap: CityBeat Best of Party & Pussy Galore At Whistle Stop

I'm getting back into the routine of work, disco nap, and heading out for the night. The hardest part has to be trying to make myself go to sleep after a night out because of the adrenaline that shows give me. So I was pretty pooped last night but quickly got over it.

If you know me, you know I tend to roll solo. I like going where I want, when I want, without any obligations to anybody (thus being single for a very, very long time), but I asked my friend Max if he wanted to be my "plus one" to a CityBeat party and he kindly agreed to join me.

The party was at the House of Blues (in the Delta Room) which was a little awkward inside my own head because of how I kinda trashed it in a blog post earlier this week, but what can I say? I just think they have all the resources they need and they're not really taking advantage of what they've got. No hard feelings, right?

We got there around 7:30 and found ourselves some appetizers and drinks and a couple chairs to kick back in while we ate. Max was worried he wouldn't know anybody, but this party was for all the winners of the "Best Of San Diego" issue that came out this week, so there were plenty of people we both knew with whom to chat, mingle and get in on the schmoozefest.

The party ended at 10 and we were on our way. Max lives near the Whistle Stop, so that's where we ended up. We talked to with Drew for a bit then headed in and caught Emery Byrd's set. Though normally a 5 piece, they had Mary join in with violin and another player who added some instrumentation as well. It had been too long since I'd seen the band and they sounded great as ever, and I'm not just saying that because I want a CD :)

After their set it was a full on dance party but we ended up on the patio hanging out with friends and chilling out. It was a really fun night and made me reconsider the whole "rolling solo" thing. Max made me realize it was pretty darn fun to have a partner in crime, so thanks, Max.

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Thursday Recap: Dios Malos, Emery Byrd @ Beauty Bar

Thanks to all the bloggy hate I've been getting lately. Especially anonymously, because that is just freakin awesome. If you don't like this blog, close your browser and do everyone a favor and crawl back under your rock because contrary to what you think, there is a lot of good in this town, a lot of good people, and a lot of good bands. I have never claimed to be a writer or a music analyst, just a fan, so seriously, stfu.

That said, I had a freakin awesome night last night. I got to the Beauty Bar relatively early, got a drink, and parked my ass in the patio until the band started. Erika came and sat with me and we talked about all kinds of good stuff. Like how you, YES YOU, can get FREE tickets to the Rapture at the Beauty Bar for their show next Thursday. Also, lots of good bands/djs coming this summer, like Chromeo performing with Flosstradamus. She hooked me up with a drink, a shot, and a Rapture ticket, so that alone made last night amazing. And that was all before the bands even started.

Emery Byrd was good but since I "don't know shit about music and have no business writing about it", I'll just be my typical annoying self and just post pictures. Emery Byrd is playing with This Holiday Life and Dynamite Walls at the Belly Up on May 12. I highly recommend attending that show if you're not a stuck up music snob and you can appreciate poppy bands with radio friendly hooks driven by good solid guitars with a slight alt-country feel. I'm still totally with them when they sing "I don't care about the Sex Pistols, they never did a thing for me."

By the time Dios Malos played, I was in a pretty happy place and so glad I made it out for the night. Eric and Dee were there and we were up front chatting away, and the bar was swelling with people. Granted, plenty were there just for the hope of snagging The Rapture tickets, but when the band took the stage, the patio was packed with people, including several people with cameras, video cams, etc.. I was only vaguely familiar with the band but from the first note was instantly a fan. Kinda jangly pop, the singer sticks to his acoustic guitar throughout the set, JP alternates between bass and electric guitar depending on the song, and the keys come in at the right time every time. Patrick, the drummer, was a show all by himself, so I got some YouTube of him for ya, too. Sometimes totally rockin out, sometimes singing along, sometimes pounding a beer then drooling on himself, I was sure he was trashed. After the show, we spoke briefly and he was totally coherent. "Whatever it takes, one fan at a time," he said.

And for the pricks that wonder who cares about setlists (and then bitch about it on other sites because they're too pussy to say anything to my face), about half the people that get to this site through Google are looking for setlists.

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Augustana: San Diego Band?

Here's an article that kinda covers the multiple homes of Augustana. I don't know how much I trust the writer considering Josiah isn't even in the band anymore, but there is definitely a San Diego connection, and Jared is always out supporting the scene when he's not on tour which is more than I can say for a lot of bands. Their buddies Emery Byrd are playing the Beauty Bar this Friday and they are good. Consider checking it out.

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Margot&tNS&S's, Emery Byrd, The Roman Spring @ The Casbah 11/22/07

After the Oasis documentary, I headed down to the Casbah for The Roman Spring, Emery Byrd, and Margot and the Nuclear So and So's. Even though I've been to shows that had all of these bands on the bill, somehow they had all eluded me until now.

The Roman Spring was up first. They are pretty straightforward indie rock with 3 geezers my age (wink, wink) and fronted by a guy born in the late 1980's(!). I really enjoyed the performance and it seemed the people who showed up early enough to catch them did, too. The sound was great (no earplugs required) and the singer has a nasal-but-not-annoying voice. The only suggestion I would make to The Roman Spring (and I told them this, too) is that the members should be more active in the songwriting. In one particular song, the rhyme is predictable and the lyrics can use a little more depth. As the band develops, I know they will get there. The Roman Spring is playing at the Zombie Lounge on Friday and might also be playing a quick miniset THE SAME NIGHT at the Beauty Bar...

I'm not really sure how I've completely missed Emery Byrd (myspace here)but I'm glad I finally saw them. They are pretty poppy to be sure, but I was definitely into it in the way I liked Jellyfish way back when. The singer has great stage presence and the whole band was solid all the way through. Looking through their website, you can see who they've been playing with and the local acclaim they've received and realize that I'm just the idiot that never paid attention.

Last up was Margot and the Nuclear So and So's. I came to their show at the Casbah when they played with the Grates but missed them. I was at Street Scene when they played but was stuck waiting for my sometimes impossible brother-in-law. This time I saw them and it made me disappointed that I missed them before. The band has 7 people onstage...the singer/guitarist, a second guitar, a bass, keys, drums, a dude on trumpet and then a guy in the bad doing "other percussion"- a huge marching band drum, cymbals, tambourines, etc. That guy goes off. I was surprised by how full the Casbah was, but once I heard the band, I ceased to be surprised...again, it was just me being clueless. I also have to comment that not only do they have one of the coolest busses I've ever seen (a mid-size school bus painted army green), but they have the merch thing down. Girlie tees, guys tees, a long sleeved shirt, the CD, a 7" vinyl, and A CREDIT CARD SCANNER. I am cheap, I don't carry wads of cash in my pocket and I won't use an ATM that charges me a service charge, but if I can use my ATM to buy merch after closing my tab, I cannot say no, especially when you wanna throw some love to an awesome band. I walked away with the long sleeved shirt and the CD.

All in all, another unexpected show of three bands that I will specifically seek out to see play again.

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