KPRI Presents Pete Yorn @ Bernardo Winery, 12.14.2010

Last night, KPRI hosted yet another free private listener show, this time at Bernardo Winery. Having never been there, I didn't know what to expect, but it was absolutely beautiful, with little village shops all dressed up for the holidays. If you have a chance, they have "Holiday Nights" from 4-8pm on December 16-19, with music and carolers and free family friendly activities.

I've seen Pete Yorn numerous times over the years and in his early days, I was mildly obsessed. I still have a VHS tape of the a taping I went to at the Knitting Factory in LA that was featured on HBO's Reverb (where you can see the back of my head in the front row for most of the show despite having the flu). Though I'm not quite so obsessed these days, I do love seeing him play live and it was really nice to see him in such a pretty space with a couple hundred people enjoying the brisk night. The performance was fantastic, though my butt froze while sitting on the ground to film. The entire set is below (click the right and left arrows to see the full playlist). The videos are in HD, so make sure you click for the highest resolution for the best picture. Get tickets for his show at the House of Blues on April 9. For more info, you can check out his site. As always, if you want to be invited to the private listener shows, you have to register to be a FREEq to receive email notifications.

OMG: Crowded House & Pete Yorn Touring

One of the bands I was hoping would be a staple in the Street Scene lineup was a reformed Crowded House. Apparently that is not gonna happen. Instead, Crowded House has announced a tour across these United States and will appearing at Humphrey's on August 24. This should make me very happy except that I'm pretty much priced out of Humphrey's, so unless tickets fall into my lap, I'll be out on the lawn across the street with a blanket and a cooler, listening from outside the venue. boo. Anyone else want to picnic?

Update...while Pete Yorn is opening on several of the scheduled stops, the opening act for San Diego will be 16 Frames, not Pete Yorn as I previously posted. If that changes, I'll re-post later.

Monday Recap: Pete Yorn, Aqualung @ HoB, Anti Monday League

I'll skip the drama part of my evening for now, and just talk about the show last night at the House of Blues. There was an opening band that I missed but it sounded like they were a cover band from where I was, though distinguishing a band from the music in the bar/restaurant from 6th avenue is sometimes not that easy.

When I finally got in (!) Charlotte Martin was finishing her set and my cranky, not yet ready to relax self saw her as another Tori Amos wannabe who is humping her piano/keyboard/synthesizer bench while tossing her mermaid like blond mane around. Had I not been in angry bitch mode, I probably would've liked her.

I got some fresh air between sets and decided I wasn't gonna allow my night to be ruined, so by the time Aqualumg started, I'd made my way up front. From my count he played 4 new songs from his upcoming release and around 7 from his first release, with a couple of them changed up a little for good measure. This was my 3rd time seeing them and I know there are very obvious Radiohead and Coldplay influences, but that is ok with me. The new stuff is less melancholy and at times felt like ballads that Bono might cover in the future and then all of the sudden Matt Hayes would get the attention he deserves. Or maybe I'm just a sap. Either way, I'd snapped out of my mood the moment he hit the stage.

Between sets Matt signed posters and talked to fans, where I verified my count of new songs. He said, "Yeah, four, I lost count of the old ones though. What you think?" I told him that it is obvious he is happy and in a good place. I guess not all my music requires a side of razor blades.

When he finished I bumped into Daye and his friend who had a bar hookup, so she got me a couple beers throughout Pete Yorn's set. I was actually not looking forward in any way to seeing PY again, partly because his set at the 94/9 wasn't that impressive to me and partially because he was kinda a dick to me when we last met (though he'd been cool in the past). But those boys with guitars win my right back over. I'm so damn easy. He was backed by a band of 5 other guys and the heavy strings sounded great, way better than when they try to play electric guitars. Pete seemed happy and played for a long time, the crowd was in it, and Pete has even thrown in some hand claps in songs. I also think because the set was heavy on early stuff, it was more enjoyable since for me, that is the stuff I really liked the best anyway. I like his later albums, too, but Music for the Morning After was one of those albums I played constantly and had attached meaning to every song, so they're just a little more special. The set lists are always posted on MySpace, so here it is:

house of blues, san diego, ca, february 19, 2007

vampyre
pass me by
for us
just another
when you see the light
undercover
don't mean nothing
for nancy
the man
long way down
policies
lions
the good advice
murray

encore:

strange condition
dead flowers (the rolling stones)
crystal village
closet
life on a chain

After the show I had to pass out cards and stickers for a bit, but everyone clears out relatively quickly at the House of Blues, so when I was done, I headed to the Casbah for Anti-Monday League. It was more to support Tim and what he's doing than anything else...plus I have a perfect record for AML, so I couldn't just miss it.

Four Kings was the band. They are a four piece (shocking) from OB. At 16 I would've loved this band. They have a bit of the funk rock thing that Red Hot Chili Peppers was so good at (through Blood Sugar Sex Magic) and then obviously overdid and killed for former fans like me. The bass is really heavy, Primus style, which I liked, but there were less than 10 people in the room, so I don't think there was any reason for them to be as loud as they were. They also tried a slower tempo song which felt out of character. Still, I have a bias when I hear that a band is from OB, and I'd say they exceeded my expectations and then came right back to meet them when they sang about smoking pot.








I was home by 1 am and am rearing to go tonight. I am not even gonna let the House of Blues get to me. Or at least I'll try...

Pictures!

Here are some Holiday Hootenanny pictures from the beergarden, courtesy of Tim Pyles.



That's Chickrawker on the far left.

And here's me and Andrea with Delta Spirit behind us:


This one is obviously me and Pete Yorn.



You can kinda tell his panties were in a wad. Sorry to have disturbed you, Dude.

Recap 3: 94/9 Holiday Hootenanny

I don't even know where to start with this show. I was asked by Owen what I was gonna say and I told him it was the single best radio station hosted show I've ever been to. When asked to elaborate I did, and so I will here for you now, too.

I picked Andrea up by 5 and we were on our way to the show. I grabbed a great spot but as we walked to the venue saw a huge line as the doors weren't opened just yet. We instead grabbed our 21+ wristbands and called Mike, the Facilities Manager who we'd met on Sunday. We met him by the box office and he let us enter the venue through the VIP badge entrance. Mike, you're the best!

We went through the venue into the beer garden area. UCSD is normally a dry campus for events so whatever strings were pulled to let this happen need to be pulled for future events. We quickly ran into Owen and Tim Pyles. Pyles had an extra VIP pass which he allowed us to use for some complimentary adult beverages. We chatted with Lyn Chickrawker for a while and then watched The Delta Spirit.

I have seen them before but let's just say I've always been a little less than sober, so this was my first time really taking them in. They have a great southern rock with a touch of gospel feel and it was clear why they are so tight with Cold War Kids. I really enjoyed their set, but some of their songs are a bit too Christian for me. I don't have a problem with a band being Christian, but I enjoy a bit more subtlety in lyrics. Like if you read the CWK lyrics, you have to understand the biblical undertones to even notice them. The Delta Spirit on the other hand are very much about "I can't wait, the Lord is coming" and that's just really not my thing. Still, the music is solid and a lot of people in the crowd were dancing and grooving to the tunes. I grabbed their set list so here's that(as it's written):

Tom G, People Come On,Street Walker, Around,I Am Waiting, French Q, Children Stay Away, Motivation, Time All You People

We stayed in the garden for some time. Pete Yorn was hanging out in the VIP area, so Pyles snapped a picture of us together. When I asked if I could snap a picture with him, he kinda looked at me like I was speaking Chinese and then he checked the pass around my neck. We snapped the shot and then he pointed to the "no smoking" sign behind us...I guess I annoyed him. Then he told me he wasn't really checking my pass but my Liar's Club sweatshirt...he has a friend in Chicago(or somewhere) who owns a bar by the same name. Getting the feeling he didn't wanna chat, I thanked him and bailed the tent. We talked a while with Beth from the Belly Up and her roommate John. Tim also introduced me to a couple other radio people including Garrett, the morning show host on 94/9. Tim is always really good about introducing people while it never occurs to other people to do so, so it is definitely appreciated. Andrea was getting well lubricated on the red wine, so I said my "see ya laters" and went in to catch Silversun Pickups. The show ran a little late...they were supposed to start at 6:30 but still hadn't hit the stage by 7. I maneuvered up toward the front side of the stage but decided to take a seat in the unmonitored VIP seating area. I sat in the second row until I smelled something. Turns out the guy two seats down barfed and bailed. Ew. I went back down to the floor to watch the show.

This is now my third time seeing SSPU. I never thought I would like a band better in an arena than in a small venue but that's exactly how I felt about their set. They only played for a half hour but it was great and while the floor wasn't exactly packed yet, a lot of people were into them. What is kinda funny to me is that "Little Lover's So Polite" is the single in LA, while 94/9 has been spinning "Lazy Eye", so obviosuly this crowd went crazy for Lazy Eye. (See Chickrawker's blog for set list)

As soon as they finished I made a bee line to the beer garden and managed to not be without beverage the entire time. A light drizzle started to come down and after 15 or 20 minutes in the garden, a heavy rain poured down. People get all crazy when it rains, why I will never understand. I mean, I guess I'm not exactly the sandals and dress wearing type, so my clothes can pretty much withstand the elements. I was trying to find where our pass had gone, but to no avail, so I headed into the venue to catch Pete Yorn back up in the front, this time with Andrea, Dustin, Andrew and Matt. Pete Yorn's cousin Westerns tours with him, sells merch, shoots videos and pictures, and always posts the set list on MySpace.

Here is his set list: life on a chain, for us, when you see the light, undercover, black, how do you go on, closet, georgie boy, for nancy

Again when the band finished, we headed to the Garden. Is it clear that I loved the Garden?On our way there, Dustin and I bumped into Nikki from SSPU and talked to her a couple minutes and complimented their set. In the garden, the station had equipment set up to play music and broadcast the concert on multiple televisions, but apparently the rain created technical issues. They had turned on the field lights, probably so people could see the wet grass beneath their feet and avoid mud. A lot of people seemed to be really enjoying the beergarden. We witnessed a guy pee out in the open trying to act like nothing was happening. I bumped into Nick Montes and Hellman and Troy Johnson so it made me wonder if every other spot in San Diego was completely abandoned.

Eventually it was time for the Shins. We sat up in the seating area for their set and were kinda surprised that people were crowd surfing. Really? For the Shins? Weird. Anyway, it was a good set though the band commented that it was clear a lot of people already had their new album, not to be released until Jan 20. I am guilty myself but I feel like if I'm gonna buy the actual album anyway, what's the diff if I have a bootleg now and talk about how much I love it? They played a good mix from all their albums and if my neck wasn't killing me from bad sleep, I would've been even more into their set.

We went back outside but the garden was closing. We still hung around a while as people filtered into the venue for Modest Marr. We went back to our spot near the front but this over eager idiot seemed to not notice anyone around him and was bumping me. It was either move or punch the guy in the face, so Dustin, Andrea and I sat in the front row behind the soundboard. I have never seen Modest Mouse live but I was really impressed. They had two full drumsets on stage which made for a really rich heavy sound. Still, it was late, and while I'm not the kind of person who leaves a ballgame in the 7th inning to avoid traffic, it had begun to pour outside and my old beater doesn't have a defroster.

Dustin laid on top of my bike in the back of my car while Andrea slept in the front seat as I drove while wiping my windshield with a towel most of the ride. We went to the Beauty Bar, but only in time for a couple Vinyl Radio songs. Bobby, the drummer, was soaked from the rain leaking in on the edge of the tent. Puddles were forming in the back patio. I had no cash on me and decided I'd rather spend my dinero at the Ken Club than open a tab and have to spend $20 at the really crowded Beauty Bar, so I made sure everyone had a ride home, and I headed to my house, put on some dry socks and shoes, and headed to the bar, hitting the ATM across the street.

I hung out on the bar side for a bit but one of the tv's had this horrible Rodeo World Championship on that I just couldn't stomach, so I went to see who was playing and it was Dan Padilla (the band not the man). Gene was on drums on the stage (topless, I might add) and the guitarist and bassist were playing on the floor in front of the stage. I've seen them a few times and never get over how much they remind me of old Fluf crossed with some of the old faster punk like early Pennywise (though that probably is completely unflattering to the band). Definitely check them out when you get the chance. Oh, except keep and eye out, because even though there weren't a whole lot of people watching the band, several beer bottles were shattered, there was pushing and shoving that looked like a fight but was really among friends, and some extremely trashed patrons talking shit.

I hope it is clear why today I really, really, slept in. Time to go watch the Chargers clinch #1...

Pete Yorn update

I just called the Hard Rock downtown to see if there were still Pete Yorn passes available. It should be no shock that they are all gone.

Here's the conversation:

"Thanks for calling Hard Rock, how can I
rock your world?"

"I'm calling to see if the Pete Yorn
passes ever arrived and if they did, if there are any left."

"No, they're all gone. They came
late."

"I know, I was the second person
there. The guy told me he couldn't make a list even though we were the 2nd
and 3rd ones there."

"Yeah, we're not allowed to hold'em.
Sah-reeee!!"

Am I mistaken to call bullshit? A "hold" would be calling in and saying "save one for me" wouldn't it? Not getting the announcement, walking there, finding out they aren't there yet, and then missing out when they did finally arrive. Am I wrong here?

94/9 Holiday Hootenanny announced

And better than I thought! I was really excited on Monday and enjoyed scouring the net for tours to see who would be making their way to San Diego but by Tuesday had lost interest only because I knew people knew but were afraid of being outted here. But the waiting is over:

Modest Mouse with Johnny Marr. I saw Neil Finn a few years ago with Johnny Marr playing in the band and he was amazing. I think he can only help MM with what they do.

The Shins. I've heard people say the Shins are boring onstage, but I saw them at Cane's what? 3 Years ago? And again at Street Scene and for me when I hear songs they trigger little sweet memories of random moments in my life. And the new album (at least what has been leaked on the net) is good. Consistent, but good. Indie 103 has already added Phantom Limb to their regular rotation. I personally love "Turn On Me" and "A Comet Appears".

Pete Yorn. I can't believe I didn't see this one! Pete is playing the KPRI private listener show and we were skipped on his regular tour dates but I should've known! Sweety Petey never skips San Diego because we were so good to him early in his career. (Were you at his 4 o clock Friday?) Plus his last show here was at the Casbah when we all know he could've easily played a larger venue.

Silversun Pickups. I felt this one coming but thought it wouldn't happen once I saw the Snow Patrol tour announced, but I'm happy to see them again. Last night the Stereotypes said "they're kinda local" being from Silverlake, and I guess I hope they accept that mentality because San Diego loves SSPU.

So there ya go, I'm happy. And now that Garrett and Owen have been directed to my page, you guys wanna hook me up? ;) Going to as many shows as I do is gonna make me broke.

Pete Yorn dilemma

If you're registered for KPRI's Freequent Listener e-mails, then you received an e-mail around 9 am this morning to let you know that Pete Yorn is doing a private listener concert on November 21 at the Hard Rock downtown. If you are a diehard Yorn fan like me, this was exciting news.

When I walked to the Hard Rock a little before noon to get my ticket, to my dismay I was informed that the venue did not have them yet. When I asked if the guy would take my name since Dave and I were the 2nd and 3rd people to come in for them, he said he couldn't do that. He also said that people with passes to the cancelled Ray LaMontagne show have priority, none of which was mentioned in the e-mail.

I really do love the station, and I have a lot of friends there from back in my advertising days...friends who hooked me up with amazing opportunities, concerts, meet and greets, and the like, but this is the 4th private listener show that has had problems...

Barenaked Ladies (which I did not go to) had a line around the block when the venue was already at capacity. The station has corrected this by lessening the amount of overbooking they do.

G Love and Special Sauce...about 30 people were turned away from this show when we were told that they had to hold space for hotel guests (???) . First come, first served apparently doesn't apply to people who stay in hotels in La Jolla.

Ray LaMontagne...the venue was full, people were still waiting outside, his start time rolled around and he called in "sick".

Pete Yorn...e-mail sent with no tickets yet available at the venue.

I think someone who loves the music should be working there handling this stuff...like ME. I'd be all over it.