Pop Levi opened the show and had an energetic stage show, striking poses, busting the robot, and forcing me to smile by staring me down when I didn't realize I wasn't smiling. Something about the band made them kinda timeless to me...like one part 70's rock, one part 80's beats (synthy but played with guitar), one part 90's pop a'la Prince, though maybe that part is influenced by Pop's small stature and the "oh my god I can see his penis" white pants. If I were going on a road trip to Vegas, I'd want at least 2 Pop Levi songs on the mix to get me through the armpit of the valley where the 15 and 215 split. Maybe this would be good music to TaeBo to. I recorded a couple songs, but one lasted about 7 minutes and the other went over 9 when I stopped, so I don't think I'll put them on here. Maybe I'll load them on VMix later.
Pop Levi, photo by Rosey, SD:Dialed In
Pop Levi, photo by Rosey, SD:Dialed In
Pop Levi, photo by Rosey, SD:Dialed In
Pop Levi, photo by Rosey, SD:Dialed In
There were only two bands last night, where there are usually 3 or 4 on a Monday, so there was a tiny bit longer stage change than usual, it seemed. It didn't matter because it was a good chance to check out their cool merch (which I'd have bought had I brought wads of cash) and hang out. When they started, they brought it.
Mando Diao, photo by Rosey, SD:Dialed In
Mando Diao, photo by Rosey, SD:Dialed In
There's a quality about them that made me think if you threw Gomez and Stereophonics into a garage together, you'd end up with Mando Diao. For one, they alternate singers which perfectly counter each other. For another, they've got that kinda raspy voice thing going on at times. (Swedish AND Sexy vocals? swoon.) They started strong and never slowed down except during "Ochrasy" midway through the set when everyone left the stage except for the guitarist who sang "Ochrasy" alone.
And I'm dreaming about a time
times that are gone
times when I lived alone
in my own land called Ochrasy
that place was everything to me
the word I made it up you see
it's only in my fantasy
and I believe it
And I believe it, too. The band rejoined him and ferociously continued their set. When it came to the end, they left the stage and never came back for the last two songs on their setlist. The crowd was disappointed by that, because we weren't ready for it to be over, but I think the explanation was that the drummer is suffering from wrist problems or something... all is forgiven
Mando Diao, photo by Rosey, SD:Dialed In
Mando Diao, photo by Rosey, SD:Dialed In
Mando Diao, photo by Rosey, SD:Dialed In
I have more YouTube to upload, but for now, this is "Song For Aberdeen" from the latest Mando Diao album, "Ode To Ochrasy".
Here's the Setlist from Mando Diao, 5/21/07 Casbah. This is a scan, not a photo. They did not play the two songs listed for their encore, but everything else stayed according to the list.
After the show ended around 12:15, the band did come out and hang out with people who stuck around the patio, but I didn't wanna intrude on the chicks who were giving the band their undivided attention, so I chilled with Pyles and Jason and Porter until the Casbah finally kicked everyone, band included, out for the night.
If Mando Diao come back around, do not miss them. And in the meantime go buy the CD (or download if you must). It has 14 tracks. Fourteen. Tracks. Worth your money all the way through. No joke.
