Overdue Recap: Langhorne Slim & Silverbird @ Beauty Bar, Verso @ Ken Club, and the rest of that weekend...

It's so nice to have a free day to catch up with life, no?

A week ago Friday was a great day for me. Work was all caught up and I got to help out on a project that I can't really detail, but it incorporated local music and I was stoked to do it. I was even let off work early, and on my ride home, I was told that I would be rewarded for my efforts with a bottle of vodka. I got home when there was still a bit of daylight, straightened up my house and chilled out until Andrea and Amy showed up. We decided to have some pre-show cocktails so we called a cab who showed up relatively quickly. We were buzzing with energy and a couple drinks.

When we arrived, we met up with the guys in Langhorne Slim. Andrea had brought them some hats from The Village Hat Shop to try out, and they chose a couple. We ordered some more drinks and chilled until the bands started.

Silverbird started off the show. Justin was sporting a new haircut, and this variation of the band only had Justin's guitars, Robin's keys, and the relatively new bassist (sorry, forgot his name). Since they've been without a regular drummer, Justin used a tambourine with a foot pedal to accompany the music. They sounded really great- Justin's heartfelt voice kinda crushes me a little everytime I hear it- so I'm definitely looking forward to them getting in the studio and laying down an album.





I spend a lot of time going to shows, but it's rare for me to actively have a 'ladies night', so we kept well lubed. I finally met Sarah, the new Beauty Bar manager, and we got to hang out a bit and talk about what she's doing with the place, and I think she's got some good things planned. Dustin is helping out with the booking there, too, which I think is a good injection of new blood. Sarah also hooked me up with a couple poker chips, so our good night was propelled to a great one. On top of all that, Abraham was there and said he'd drive us home. Night set, we went back on the patio to watch Langhorne Slim and the War Eagles.

I love this band, and I'm glad that they've got a full length because listening to an EP can only hold you over for so long. I've seen them a few times now, namely with Two Gallants and when they toured with Rocky Votolato, and the energy they have on stage is great. Even with Slim jumpin all over the stage, the other musicians hold their own and really, Paul just kills on that stand up bass.







After the set, we briefly hung out, and Andrea gave one of the hats she brought to Brandon, so here's him reluctantly modeling his new hat. (Check out the Village Hat Shop Online.)



After the show, we headed back to Kensington. I guess that is the point in the night where I had that moment of clarity...like perhaps I should've had dinner before all those cocktails. Oops. We walked over to the Ken and caught the end of The Verso's set. I'll have to check them out again when I'm not all googly eyed.





Afterward, we all came back to my house, and I quickly made my way into bed while my friends entertained themselves. The next morning, they were all up, shiny and bright after crashing in my living room, and convinced me that we should get some lunch. We headed to Bluefoot for some beer while our stuffed pizza was cooking at Lefty's. I'd only ever had fries from Lefty's before and let me tell ya, call me converted. They have some of the best pizza sauce I've ever tasted and it was delicious food to cure the h.o. The Upas Street football crew rolled in and we hung out for a bit, but after a couple hours, it was nap o'clock so I suppose you could say my Friday night finally ended about 3 pm Saturday.

Later that night, I rallied and went to the Ken Club for Swim Party, The Roman Spring, and the Focus Group. It was a great show for all three bands, though I didn't take pictures (you can read Natalie's review here). Late in the night, my friend Sara came to hang out, so we hopped between the band room and the bar, catching up with one another since it had been ages since we'd hung out. Of course, convenience is key, and after the bar, some friends came over. My neighbor was gone so we blasted MgmT and Sub Society and Prince and a whole bunch of other music until it was time for everyone to head home around 4 or 5 in the morning.

Last thing for me for last weekend was SuperBowl Sunday which was really chill with my family at my sister's house in PB. The game was great, but of course, I was obsessed with my niece Johanna. Talent scouts, my e-mail is in the about me section of this page :)

Wednesday Recap: Adam Franklin, Innaway, The Focus Group

The truth is that I never got into Swervedriver. It's not that I didn't like them, it was just I lacked exposure to them. I had the cassette from labelmates Ride, but I had limited exposure to good music in junior high, depending on word of mouth and whatnot. That said, even if I didn't like Adam Franklin, I was gonna support the first band released on Hi-Speed Soul records, the mothership being M-Theory records. After the fact, I can defintely consider myself a convert. Adam played an in-store, and while he struggled to remember the lyrics to a song he'd been playing all tour long, we were all just mesmerized by his voice, accompanied by his solo electric guitar. He could've made up lyrics and nobody would've cared. For the 40 minutes or so that we played, we were all eyes closed right along with him.

Later at the Casbah, I was disappointed that there wasn't more of a crowd, but such is life sometimes in San Diego. Still, those of us there got a great show from all the bands.



The Focus Group started off the night and while I caught them midset, they gave their thanks to Swervedriver for inspiration and appreciated the crowd that was there specifically for their brand of new-gaze. The highlight was when they had Jason and Demetrius of Goodbye Blue Monday sit in front of the stage, each with a drum in front of them, and played along with the band. I told everyone this was Mitch's band (from No Knife) but I guess he was serious about not playing anymore. Sorry for spreading rumors.

Anyway, Innaway was next up and they were really good. The singer had such a cool voice that it appeared he's a trained vocalist and not just someone faking it or making it up. Unfortunately, they cut their set short because they were missing their keyboardist and I guess he was essential for a couple of their songs. The only complaint I had about the band was that at times the bassist was completely turned around. It's one thing to play off the feedback on an amp, another thing entirely to be crowd shy or whatever. Hopefully with more touring a livelier and more engaging show will evolve.

Adam Franklin finished up the night and the crowd was mixed with people who were there because of the Focus Group, diehard Swervedriver fans, and new Adam fans who like me, trust the judgment of Eric and Heather at M-Theory. The show did not disappoint and Adam didn't struggle with lyrics as he had earlier. It was a polished show and they had the attention of the crowd. I had the chance to talk with a couple of the guys in the band later and the next night and they were all so nice. Than, the drummer, has his own project called ShushShush and his mom lives in SD, so he stuck around a few extra days.

I thought I had my pics on photobucket, but it appears I don't so I'll have to post those later. Also, Eric was recording the show with his camera (I played with the lights trying to help him out, so if I find the YouTube, I'll post it here as well...

Friday Newsy Bits

As I look at my arm with my bar stamps just inside my wrists, I have to say that last night was awesome (and I danced!). I'll get to that shortly, but first, San Diego gossip, news and happenings.
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I got some info about Landlord Jim's. The entire block where the bar is located is rumored to be razed and turned into a parking structure to create needed spaces for City College, the police station and "Smart Corner", the multi use structure being built at 12th & C. Downtown development doesn't come easy or cheaply. The tenants of the apartments above the bar have all been moved, but the building owner is holding out on offers because the developer is trying to undercut the value of the liquor license which the new developer must pay as part of the acquisition costs. The bar is expected to remain open while negotiations continue, so go support your local bar. The bar should be open through at least April/May, but if negotiations and CCDC permitting happen slowly, the bar could remain open indefinitely, even through the end of the year. The bar will pretty much be open till the first wrecking ball crashes through.
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Last night at the Casbah, I bumped into Ben Brewer of the New York band The Exit. Last time we chatted, he wasn't sure if they would stay a bi-coastal band. Cutest story, too...he moved here for a girl and that is all working out well. His band recently joined him here and they recorded 15 songs for a record. Ben will be heading back to New York to record a couple more songs. He is a welcome addition to the local scene, so if you get a chance to catch him solo, I recommend doing so. Two of the newly recorded songs can be heard on The Exit's MySpace page and are the ones that say "demo".
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I failed to mention this earlier, but local Johnny Cash cover band Cash'd Out performed last week at Cane's to a sold out audience. True, its a cover band, but what other local band can sell out Cane's? Cash'd Out has recently acquired Andy Robillard of UV Tigers, GoGoGo Airhart, and several other bands on the drums.
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And speaking of the UV Tigers...I hear that the band is on an indefinite hiatus and will not be playing again until there is a significant amount of new material written. If that happens.
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Local band The Focus Group is recording material. Mitch Wilson (No Knife) is no longer a part of the project, however, as he is looking to get into the production side of music. He has recorded some tracks from Silverbird and is looking to hook up up-and-coming local bands. You benefit by having an awesome musician record a couple tracks FOR FREE, and Mitch benefits by getting some recording under his belt. It's a beautiful simbiotic relationship. Contact me if you're interested and I'll get you his contact info.
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This is a MySpace message from d*Frost, my friend Anthony's band:

THIS Saturday February 3rd, D*FROST and the Fluid Distro Compound will be playing a benefit party in the loving memory of Remy Boothe. For those who didn’t know him, Remy was a great friend of the band and well known in our circle of people… he passed away on 1/1/2007. Tomorrow’s show is STRICTLY to help raise money for funeral costs. All proceeds will make it directly to Remy’s family. If you have a moment sometime tomorrow after 12:00 noon, please stop by, have a beer and enjoy the music we play in remembrance of Remy Booth. May he rest is peace.

The event will be held at 2257 Garnet Ave in Pacific Beach. First kegs get tapped at noon. The bands and DJ will be playing through out the day. Feel free to contact me for additional details. Thanks for your support!

http://www.myspace.com/dfrost
http://www.belligerentproducts.com

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From MySpace: The Southern California oddity, known as the Locust, has decended upon us with announcements of a new full length album and nation wide tour. New Erections, their sophomore release for Anti records will be available March 20th kicking off a month long tour with Cattle Decapitation and Daughters. For more information check out the MySpace profile below.

The Locust tour profile