Sunday Recap: Frantic Romantic, Inigo, The Clap, et al.

Sunday night rolled around and I wouldn't have missed the Casbah for the world...great bands, free food, a bunch of my friends were going to be there, and of course I had to be there to say goodbye to Marco, since he's leaving this Friday. I got there right at 7, but found out the food wasn't there yet. I called Jason and he explained there was some issue or something, so he'd only be bringing a few pizzas. No matter, we were all hanging out, I caught up with Marco and Natalie, and even my friend Tarol was there. It was one of those nights that I had the most random conversations with random people, and it was just the way I liked it. Eventually 5 pizzas showed up, so those of us hovering in the back got fed, then headed in for the show.

I was a little bummed that Frantic Romantic had such an early slot because I think they were probably the biggest draw of the night, but they set the bar high for the night. They sounded excellent and at least half a dozen people asked me who they were...so I guess that's how bands build their following...being on a good bill and rockin people's socks off. My camera was malfunctioning all night- I think the room was fogging it up so I couldn't focus, so my pics are even worse than usual, but some of the bands from the night asked me to post, so this is for them.

Frantic Romantic




Inigo was up next and it was my first time seeing them though a few of them are friends of mine. I really enjoyed them, but I felt the mic was muffling for some reason, so lyrics weren't really distinguishable. Still, the music sounded great. Hopefully they get a couple more shows in before Pete has to relocate up north. (I'm working on it, Michael.) Sorry that these pics are even more fuzzy.

Inigo




After Inigo, I was hanging out with Natalie near the front door and let me just discreetly say someone I never thought I'd see again, ever, showed up and it was like seeing a ghost, and it certainly changed my mood for the night. I can't really go into it but I was not a happy camper. We moved away from the door and ducked away in the bar.

We went into the club for The Clap, and Aaron insisted the band is just a joke, but honestly, I love watching him on stage. Even when they're singing songs about STDs or singing "Too Drunk To Fuck", he still owns the stage and I was entertained. I hope, even if it is a joke, that they play some more shows.

The Clap




After The Clap, I was talking to a friend and the ghost from my past tapped me on the shoulder and asked if we could talk. It was weird and awkward and I've never been more uncomfortable in the Casbah, a place that normally feels like home. But I got over it and ended up hanging with my friends the rest of the night, catching bits and pieces of War Stories and Get Your Death On, but not enough to review and I didn't take any more pics. Still, weirdness and all, it was a great night. It was great to see so many people I hadn't seen in a while all in the same place at the same time and since it was an early show, despite there being five bands, it was still a relatively early night (though Abe and I made a late night stop afterward).

I knew I was behind in my posts and my animals were slightly neglected over the weekend (as evidenced by my dog not letting me go to work on time), so I opted to stay home on Monday and again tonight (sorry, Beezeley!) I do have plans for this week, so hopefully I can get my timing mastered, because there are a couple nights where I hope to catch multiple shows. We shall see how that works out, but fingers crossed, I hope to catch some great music this week.

Overdue Recap: The Frantic Romantic CD Release, Ken Club, 1-26-08

I was certain for a while that I'd go to Gram Rabbit's CD release show at the Casbah on January 26. However, when the day came, I was feeling pretty unmotivated. It had been a late night with friends over, it was raining almost all day, and I knew there was going to be a great show in my own hood. I was glad that I opted for the Ken Club. Unfortunately, I missed Long Live Logos, and while watching The Fascination, I realized I'd forgotten my camera so I went home to grab it. By the time I got back and was well lubed with some cocktails and the Ken Club was packed.

I love these guys, and I've been enjoying their CD a lot, but I hadn't seen them live before and they brought it in a big way. Their show is very energetic, and Ryan's voice kinda reminded me of a band I used to love called Sonichrome.





The crowd was loving the set for sure, and there was a whole bunch of dancing going on up front. When the band finished, they urged everyone to pick up a CD. They started to pack up when one of their friends jumped onstage and whispered in Ryan's ear. Ryan said they were done, but the dude started the crowd chanting. Apparently at one show once upon a time, the band played a Journey cover and they've been stuck playing it ever since. I was pretty happy about it, I have to say, but I can imagine how on a CD release show, a band might wanna avoid covers. Still, they gave the crowd what they wanted.



Since I did feel bad about missing Gram Rabbit, I asked Greg to write a review of the show. Below is an excerpt:

The show last night started off quite ominously when the laptop that the band uses for sound effects on some songs died, which forced the band to scrap about 4 songs from the set; mostly from their new record, Radioangel and The Robotbeat. That is one reason I'm not a big fan of having sounds computer generated on-stage during a show. Maybe it was the frustration of having their computer crash, the rain, their upcoming tour of the South and East Coast, or the fact that the Casbah is one of their favorite places to play, but the band regrouped and delivered their wildest, loosest, and most unpredictable show I have seen from them yet. Starting with the space rock of "Waiting In The Kountry" from their second album "Cultivation", the band played songs ranging from crowd favorites like the disco beats of "Cowboy Up", the country-folk sing-along "Dirty Horse"; the high desert rap tune "Cowboys And Aliens", and the rocker "Land Of Jail" from "Music To Start A Cult To"; to songs from their excellent new album "RadioAngel and The Robotbeat."

While they we're limited to some songs they could play from it because of the computer crash, they did play some stand-outs from it like "American Hookers", "The Rest Of Us Sleep", and "Something Fuzzy"; and the gorgeous "The Places We Go" sung by the balladeer of the group Todd Rutherford. The show included alot of band talk between songs; which was almost non-exsistent in the past shows I've seen; and alot of crowd interaction as well including Jesika crowd surfing a few times and actually throwing herself in my arms one time during the show. Thankfully she is a very petite lady, not to mention quite beautiful, so I was very honored. By the time the last song ended the stage looked like Godzilla had stomped a mud-hole in it. It has been a very long time since I have seen a band literally destroy their stage set-up like that; and defintiely the first time I had seen them do it. The snare drum almost landed in my arms. After a short break the band came back out amongst the post-apocalytic mess strewn about the stage and preformed the encore, which consisted of very loose, shambolic version of "Devils Playground" which was quite surreal with the instrument carcasses laying everywhere. It seemed to fit the moment beautifully. And finally, after cleaning up the mess a little and getting some semblace of a stage set-up organized again the band closed with one of their signature songs and defintie crowd favorite, "Bloddy Bunnies" which quite appropo as well and was the perfect end to the show.

Incidentally, what Greg called "loose" others told me was just a total mess. Another friend of mine who was at the show said the band seems more concerned with their pre-party and post-party than they are about delivering a good set and said the band's performances have gotten progressively worse every time he's seen them. With that opinion, I was glad I kept my ass in the 'hood.

Huge Casbah Weekend

I wasn't expecting to hit the Casbah last night, but after overdosing on the Gaslamp I just needed a REAL drink poured by a REAL bartender with REAL alcohol in it. That's the thing about downtown that I hate; it wasn't the d-bag factor that everyone talks about- I mean, everyone has the right to like what they like- but if I'm paying $6, $8 or even $10 for a drink, I expect more than a two count pour. That's not the point of this post, however, and I'll have to get to all my recapping some other time when my computer is functional again and I can piece together all the pictures that go with the posts (The Long and Short of It, Shaky Hands, Lonely H, Rafter, ASR, Iglu & Hartly, A Scribe Amidst the Lions).

Anyway, it appears that I'll be at the Casbah for the next three nights straight.

I already posted about MGMT, who are performing with Yeasayer and Calico Horse (both awesome in their own right). The show is tonight and is a show I've been anticipating for a while.

Saturday night is the CD release party for Gram Rabbit. Time to pull out your bunny ears and your cottontails and get ready for the mayhem that always ensues at their shows. Last time there was wrestling, near nudity, and a crazy as hell after party. I think I'm still recovering from that one...I got an advance of the CD and it's just as awesome as their live shows, so bring some cash to pick up merch when you're at the show.





I would also be remiss if I didn't mention The Frantic Romantic's big CD release show at the Ken Club. If the Casbah lets out early, I'll be heading over for sure. (Their CD is definitely worth picking up, too. Pyles has been playing a lot of it because it's so damn good.


Sunday night is the big FM 94/9 Local Pyle show. It's free, it's early, and has not only some of my favorite local bands, but some of my best friends performing. Hotel St. George, Team Abraham, Desert Diamonds, and the Tighten-Ups.

This weekend is gonna be a doozy, which means please refrain from calling me anytime before noon :)

Friday Recap: Swedish Models, Blackout Party, Secret Apollo, Frantic Romantic

Driving my car in the rain is pretty rough. Despite having a day of from the d.j., I still managed to get to the Casbah later than expected. Actually, what happened was I got sucked into watching a show (research for my next CityBeat column) and by the time I realized it, I was late and headed for the Casbah. The show was already sold out which impressed me immensely. Unfortunately, I missed the debut of Hotel St. George. I heard they were great but only had a five song set, so its not really that surprising that I missed them.

The Casbah was cozy, with the music room packed to the gills and the Atari Lounge pretty full as well, as smokers huddled under the small awning over the entry way to the venue. I headed up front for the Swedish Models. It was kinda funny, these guys are my friends and I've seen them a ton, but I guess I normally spend so much time watching the spectacle of the band and Andrew jumping around from instrument to instrument that I never paid attention to the fact that this boy can really sing. It was nice to see something new in a band that is so familiar.





There was chatting and socializing to be done, but I made it in for part of The Blackout Party's set. I always love the use of unorthodox instruments, and The Blackout Party always sounds perfect for sippin on Makers with the lap steel and flute that accompany the guitar, bass and drums.



I lingered a little after Blackout Party, but since the rain settled a bit, I decided to head home before it started pouring again. My car's wipers don't do jack and I have to drive with my windows down to keep the windows from fogging up...safety first, ya know?

Anyway, from there is was off to the Ken Club, where I caught Secret Apollo. I love their quirky songs and this was my first time actually seeing them play in well over a year. The crowd was small but interactive. Plus, the free red vines the band gives out make great stars for slurping down an NFL vodka tonic (that's No Fucking Lime to you)



Then of course, I met the Frantic Romantic guys and we after partied at my house for a while. It was a great night and it was nice to not have anything to do or anywhere I had to be on Saturday. Love those nights and love those days.

Frantic Romantic Cannot Let the Cat Out

The Frantic Romantic should not be trusted with your housecat. i'm not really sure how i ended up typing into this computer, but our friend from san diego: dialed in is a kindred kensington'r was willing (coerced) into letting us post.

We are The Frantic Romantic. Our EP comes out in January and will be debuted at the Ken Club.

Hello San Diego. Support local music.

ed. note...this was all posted by Christopher of Frantic Romantic, at a post Ken Club after party with the rest of the band. We drank. Heavily. And it was fun. And you all missed out. Next time I decide to invite the neighborhood over for an after party, I promise to have a better stash of beer, a sink free of dirty dishes, and my floor will be clean with my new magical vacuum that I'm getting delivered tomorrow. But seriously, guys, Pascha doesn't hate you. It's her, not you.