Overdue Recap: Hercules and Love Affair, Casbah, 7.25.08

I'm not even gonna lie- Friday was a day of really poor planning. About a month ago, Kristian asked me to go to Hercules and Love Affair with him. I've always trusted his music recommendations and a night at the Casbah is usually a no-brainer, but when I agreed, and subsequently worked out tickets for the show, I realized that I would be missing the Swim Party CD release party with Writer at the Whistle Stop.

After the day at work and taking a nap, I made my way to the Whistle Stop, knowing I would miss the show, but at least I could say hi and make appropriate apologies. It was so cool there- so many bands were present making for that family feeling that I love, which of course only made me sad that I was going to have to leave. When Kristian told me they were heading down around 10, I was pretty annoyed, because I knew the band wouldn't be starting until close to midnight and I could've at least caught some of the show at the Whistle. Not to mention he had agreed to drive and suddenly that plan changed and I had to drive myself. Yes, Kristian, I'm calling you out.

Anyway, I got to see three songs from Writer and missed the rest. I was sure someone would record the show, especially with Natalie playing with the band, Alex dedicating a song to me, and the big Writer/Modlins/Swim Party finale, but alas, not one camera, and no, Pete's :30 seconds of filming does not count.

To make matters worse, we got to the Casbah far too early. There was line at the door, and the band wasn't close to setting up. I tried to get over it and turned my mood around. Nobody likes a whiner. Anyway, after hanging out with friends, I was feeling better. Then shit kinda hit the fan.

Apparently Hercules and Love Affair had soundchecked earlier in the day. Sometime between the soundcheck and time to set up, one of their keyboards was damaged. There was an early show at the Casbah and nobody knows what happened, but it almost caused the band to cancel. It is some special vintage keyboard and the band was flipping out. The clock ticked as Tim tried to find anyone in SD with the same keyboard to no avail; in the meantime they called in Derek, some guy who works on vintage musical instruments. I will find out his full name and contact info because apparently the dude is a genius. A cancellation would've meant refunding a sold out show to everyone there, still paying the band, and paying for the keyboard. Not good.

Miraculously, nearing 12:30, word spread that the keyboard was fixed and the crisis was averted. I made my way into the venue to set up for some photos, and this sweetheart guy posed as my boyfriend, letting me worm in front of him. Hercules and Love Affair is a big gay dance party band, reminding me of my mom's brief but memorable disco period when I was a kid. The crowd loved it and danced their asses off. Me? Well, not so much. It was fun, no doubt, and the band certainly was unlike anything I've ever seen, but Swim Party and Writer will always be more my speed than a dance band and I really regret missing that show. I love my Kristian, but this one was a miss for me personally, though I definitely get why other people dig them.





Hercules and Love Affair Set List




My night wasn't bad, I did have fun with my friends at the Casbah for sure, and as I posted earlier in the week, I ended up at a couple friends houses and pulled an all nighter, so it wasn't bad by any means. And I know I'll get plenty of Writer and Swim Party shows to make up for the one missed show. But damn, people, doesn't anyone else take video of shows?

Cat Power, 4.16.08., 4th&B

Last week was a bit hectic, so I'm getting to the posting now. Wednesday was a bit hectic. I had to be at 4th&B by 7, so I rushed home after work, ate a quick dinner, and just before I was about to head of, an ex showed up at my house out of the blue so I could meet his dog. Apparently not contacting him for oh, 2 years, warranted the unexpected visit, but I had to roll so lates, bro.

I arrived at 4th&B and entered from the side. I was selling merch for Cat Power, so I met the manager outside, caught opener Appaloosa's sound check for a minute, then we got right to work, counting inventory and hanging a display. I had a little time after setting up and Tim was working the show, so we went to hang out on the side for a minute before doors. Chan borrowed my lighter. That was my only contact I had with her for the night. I was glad I didn't really address her, because it wasn't until that night that I learned her name was pronounced "Sean" and not like Jackie Chan. I'm not gonna lie...I don't have any of her albums and I couldn't tell you a single song she sings, except perhaps a couple of her covers. I was glas I was working because I was hoping to understand the big deal, maybe be converted to a fan.

It was fun working the table because so many of my friends were there. I was able to score Natalie a photo pass, so she agreed to give me 3 "exclusive" photos for my site. You can see other examples of her photography on her site here, and a little side note, Natalie is the only photographer being sent to Coachella by Pitchfork Media, so make sure to check her results in the next couple weeks.

The show started with local Addiquit performing a couple songs. It was awkwardly short, and there was no set change when Appaloosa came out since they both seemed to just have some prerecorded beats. I'm happy to report, being that she's local, that several people asked me about Addiquit, and I was happy to write down her myspace page for them.


Addiquit

Appaloosa is from France and was really sweet to me when she found out I was selling her CDs. A few people really weren't digging the set, but plenty of others asked me about her and bought the album, so I guess it was a mixed reaction. The complaints weren't about the music necessarily, but that the show felt like someone messing around with beats in their bedroom and wasn't much to watch on such a huge stage.

Finally Cat Power took the stage. I didn't really get to see the show at all from where I was, and I was disappointed that what I did hear was a whole lot of complaining. "My throat is shot." "What's with these lights?" "Is this room the San Diego aquarium?" and finally, "This is the worst show ever." It wasn't a great show, and to her defense, the next day Cat Power had to cancel several dates because she had wrecked her vocal chords, but it made me wonder why she still felt compelled to play a nearly two hour set.



I watched the crowd flood out after only the first hour, but she kept playing. I think many in San Diego wished that our show was cancelled, too, or at least postponed to a date when she was healthy and all of her stage banter wasn't just a whole bunch of complaints, because while it may have been about the sound, or the lights, or the room, the truth is, when you complain about our city, our town, our venues, it only sounds like you're complaining about us, and we get a little defensive.

After the show, I counted out and got out really late, but stopped by the Ken to be with my peeps and to take a load off, and that I did. I had a good night, I only wish that the people who paid so much for those tickets could say the same.

Reposting Info: News After You've Already Heard It

1. Troy Johnson is leaving CityBeat.
2. Natalie Kardos had her photography featured on Pitchfork Media this week.

So why didn't I post sooner? Well, my feeling, since both Troy and Natalie are close friends of mine, and since both have blogs of their own, that it was their information to post. But, now it's out there for both, and both deserve as much credit and publicity as they can get in their endeavors.


The funny thing I probably haven't mentioned on this blog before is that Troy and I actually met because of my old blog (taken offline in 2006). I had written about meeting him at an event and referred to him as "a tool" and apparently he found my old blog and e-mailed me and was everything but a tool. The next time I saw him at the Casbah, we were introduced and have been friends ever since. I admire Troy for the impact he's had on music in San Diego. Between Troy Johnson, Tim Mays, and Tim Pyles, you'd be hard pressed to find guys doing more to promote this town. Troy is moving on, getting his hands outta the local music scene, but I guarantee you'll still see him out on the town still supporting the music. As music editor of CityBeat, I've loved reading the weekly over the years with his input on what's going on, and it's because of him that I'm now contributing to CityBeat. I couldn't be more proud of my friend.


That sentiment goes for Nat as well. We met from going to shows and mutual friends and her photography, well, it speaks for itself. It's no surprise then, that bands have taken notice as she's shooting more and more bands, and it's also no surprise that Pitchfork would take notice as well. The thing is, Natalie is a scientist by day, and photography has been more of a hobby for her, but I think she's finding her place in both worlds and balances them both well. Natalie will be moving to San Francisco next year, but I know that she'll stay connected to San Diego and covering the music she loves even when she's up in the Bay Area.

I just feel lucky to know both of them and even more so to call them friends. Congrats to both of them.