The Builders & The Butchers, Illinois, Modlins @ Casbah, 7.18.09

I spent Saturday afternoon at StayClassy.org's Tailgate Party at Petco Park, left before the Padres game even started, and took an unintentional nap before realizing I hadn't really planned out how I was going to get to the Casbah. Fortunately Jake didn't have plans and we headed down to the show. I have to say I was a little disappointed that I didn't make the time to preview this show because it is one that I certainly thought would/should sell out. It was a good crowd for sure but WE CAN DO BETTER, SAN DIEGO!

Anyway, I hoped we'd get there for Modlins, but only caught their last few songs. They had a lot of friends out to catch them early and that was certainly nice to see.

I was so excited to see Illinois again. Their last show in San Diego was a while back at Cane's when they played with Blitzen Trapper and The Hold Steady. Andrea and I had caught their show a couple months before that at Casbah and were blown away, and frontman Chris 'Arch' gave us his number to be on the list for that show and I've had a certain soft spot for them ever since. 'keep on reading' for more.


So Illinois did a pretty unique thing over the past year, releasing their music in small 3 or 4 song eps, each accompanied by video episodes following The Adventures of Kid Catastrophe, playing a release show for each chapter, allowing people to buy a flash drive that could be updated as each new chapter was released. Unfortunately the Pennsylvania based band played mostly east coast shows and a couple coastal residencies, so I just had to be a patient fan, waiting for them to return to San Diego. Now that the full album, The Adventures of Kid Catastrophe, is released (20 songs + videos! For $10 at the shows!) Chris and the boys were back. I don't wanna say the show was worth the wait, because I truly hated the wait, but it was everything I'd hoped it would be and more. After the set, as more and more people approached Chris to tell him how amazing the performance was, I know it wasn't just me glowing from the performance. Chris still rocks the banjo like I've rarely seen before.







Not to be too cheesy, but there are a lot of bands that I've met over time, and there are certain indie-rockers that always make me happy...Paul from Langhorne Slim, Marty from Blitzen Trapper, and Chris is definitely up on that last. We hung out for a while until it was time to catch The Builders and The Butchers.

The band started by saying that this was their fifth time at the Casbah in 15 months, and that they've never had a streak like that with any other venue. I think I've been to all of those performances, too, incidentally, and every show is an awesome party. The band was just named Paste Magazine's Band of the Week and just last week released a music video from their new record and also did a killer Daytrotter Session.



Their list of toys appears to keep growing, and the stage was strewn with tambourines, shakers, cowbells, pots and pans, and other noisemakers to allow the crowd to participate throughout their set. And did they ever. At one point I was back by the soundboard just watching the frenzied dancers with a smile on my face. But mostly I was upfront being a part of all of the fun.





They have a 12" vinyl that I really wanted that is a split with Loch Lomond, but watching the budget, and the lack of a download prevented my purchase, but as someone in the band told me, "just go get it from the internet."

They played a long crazy set and it was a nice follow up to having seen Blitzen Trapper and Loch Lomond just a few days before.

After the show ended I chilled around the back bar talking to Martin from Illinois and then playing pool with Chris. He told me I wasn't allowed to blog about my win, but since he took the second game, I guess it's ok. I didn't want the night to end and was sad when it finally did, but hopefully the guys won't wait another 2 years to come back around. In the meantime, can't complain about a 20 song record. check out more info on Illinois here.

Wed Recap: Bloody Hollies, The Modlins, Beta Lion

I got my first job at a coffee shop in Chula Vista when I was 15 and a half. Don't ask what the place was called because I guarantee you never had coffee there unless you were a 30 something Navy guy or you were one of my high school friends who came by to sing karaoke. But it was a funny thing...my boss was a 37 year old Filipina who told me repeatedly to "dress more sexy". The funny thing is that even at 15 I might've looked older, yet all our clients were really there for my hot boss who was in her mid 30s. On weekends we had cheesy jazz bands and after we'd close, my boss' friends would come by with beer and would sing karaoke that we had linked up on a big screen TV via a lazerdisc player. Some of the time the songs were in English, and sometimes in Tagalog. Sometimes, they'd convince me to sing in Tagalog for everyone's amusement. There is a reason why I haven't sung karaoke since that job.

The one thing that always surprised me, and I'm making very broad sweeping generalizations here, it seemed like every Filipino could sing. Even people who spoke with a thick accent could sound just like Elvis.

This really has no relevance to Wednesday night at the Zombie Lounge, except that when Beta Lion took the stage, it made me wonder why Asians, and specifically Filipino-Americans, are so underrepresented in the local music community when they are the 3rd largest ethnic group in San Diego. Beta Lion is out to change that. Or maybe they're just trying to play great music, and I'm charging them with waving the pinoy flag? Either way...

The band plays at times sweet indie pop and other times soaring pop rock. Being used to so many really loud bands at the Zombie, I was impressed that everyone was loud enough to enjoy but quiet enough that all parts could be heard. When Mark's mic cut out, the equally strong vocals of Op (Opie?) on guitar or Dean on drums were there to pick up until the mic worked properly and were also there in multi part harmonies throughout the set. I really enjoyed watching this band and they were such a nice group of guys to talk to after the set. At least one of them is living in LA now, so their gigs are probably a little infrequent, but if you like to sing "oooohs" and "ahhhs" along with a sweet band, Beta Lion are definitely worth checking out. I'd like to get them on a bill with The Infants...think they'd be great together.







As I mentioned to the band, if music doesn't work out with Op, he really should get into stand up comedy. The kid had great stage banter and after was cracking everyone up. He's pictured below on the left. He's actually Vietnamese and they lovingly call him "the Veit" because of some chick referring to him as such once upon a time.



This is just a random pic of my friends, Adrian and Jamie, who came out to the show.


And my friend Fermin who I know from my former life as a collegiate athlete.


And the kids from Secret Apollo.



For anyone who doesn't regularly visit the Zombie, it's worth noting that they have various drink specials depending on the night. On Wednesdays, a domestic beer and a shot are $5 until 11pm. Bud & Jameson go down nicely when it's a bargain like that.

The Modlins were second to hit the stage and had a good crowd of people there to check them out. They played a healthy set list chock full of songs from "Here's to Being Happy" and if I could discern properly, some new stuff as well. There are some album titles that just really don't tell you anything about the music, but The Modlins are pure pop bliss that remind me of listening to Oldies stations with my parents and them talking about their collections of 45s and when a certain song would come on saying something like, "this is when songs had meaning." And I like it. Sometimes I wanna hear "the-end-is-near, we're-all-gonna-die, my-life-is-so-tragic" music. And sometimes, I wanna hear The Modlins, who remind you that it's ok to get over yourself and really escape from reality with happy, quirky, pop music.








I thought it was a strange bill...to have the Bloody Hollies close up the night for two bands who sound nothing like the Bloodies, but it had been a long time since I'd seen them, and they were fresh from their 2nd Music Award win and I was just happy to be catching great local bands just a short hop away from home. The first time I ever saw the band, they were so turned up that nothing was coherent and I was glad to see that either they turned down to match the night or that they've grown enough to know that it's quite possible to rock hard without shattering eardrums. They seem to have become tighter and "cleaner" in the sense that they let the music speak for itself. They rocked out and in turn, the crowd did, too.








It was such a good night at the Zombie, good crowd but not too crowded, good music, good sound, and great friends all around. I wish I'd had the energy to write this after the set, but with a full Thursday planned for LA, I knew I had to rest up, so sorry for the Thursday blog hiatus. I'll make it up to you.

Friday Dilemma

While I'm thrilled San Diego is booming with solid local music, it bums me out immensely that I have to choose between these three amazing shows on Friday. Proximity usually wins in a case like this, but there are so many other factors to weigh in. Ah well, all solid shows and I hope they all draw well.

Radio Sophie Unsigned Sundays

Support local music! This week's "Unsigned Sundays" features locals The Modlins. Also making the cut are the Sundelles. Show your support and vote here.

Good Listenin': Great Glass Elevator

Great Glass Elevator are a band out of Orange County that tend to draw immediate comparisons to Morrissey and Radiohead. They have a 4 song ep titled "Our Hands Turn Into Machines" up for free download here. Great Glass Elevator is appearing FREE tonight at Porter's Pub at UCSD. Opening for them are local boys, The Modlins. The show is expected to start around 7:30, so be there, have some beer, and enjoy some great free music. After, you can participate in the "Take Back The Night" march. Just don't forget to buy a parking permit. ($3ish at the info booth on Gilman)



"..Great Glass Elevator dispenses sophisticated pop songs, marrying its merry melodies with unexpected choruses and bridges, none of which is wasted on the trifles of playground love." - Kevin Bronson, L.A. Times

"Great Glass Elevator blend the driving, anthemic energy of punk guitar with maudlin Smiths-y melodies and lyrics." - Dallas Observer

"With some obvious influences - Morrissey and Radiohead are notable on the title track - and some that are buried deeper in the music, Great Glass Elevator crafts eclectic but understandable music." - MusicGeek.org

Friday Recap: Matt Curreri & The Ex-friends, The Modlins, Punk Rock Karaoke

As I mentioned, my plans are always subject to change, so I skipped out on Kensington Vine on Friday night so I could chill and recharge after a long work week and start the weekend off right. That led me to the Whistle Stop. I got there a little after 10 and the bands hadn’t started, so I said my hellos to some friends until it was time for Matt Curreri and the Ex-Friends to play. I think Matt is one of the better songwriters in San Diego and reminds me a lot of Steve Poltz circa 1996, minus the drunk rolling on the floor stage antics. It had been a while since I’d seen the full band…the last time they played, it was stripped down to open for Rhett Miller, so it was cool to see them all together again. A couple drunk assholes came in at the beginning of their set and harassed them (later I found out it was Derek and Josh Mosh who went into the Whistle with the intent to get kicked out) but after Matt pushed them and the sound guy corralled them outta the show, the door guy wouldn't let them back in and the band carried on and had a fun set. Here are some pics, and the setlist:

The Modlins were up after and they started their set in Jason hockey masks because it was Friday the 13th…pretty funny. I was glad the show wasn’t as crowded at their CD Release because I probably wouldn’t have stuck around. Their 50s/60s inspired pop is always sweet to the ears and they seemed looser on this night, which is always great. A band should feel comfortable in front of a crowd, especially when half the bar (at least) is filled with friends. Here are some pics and their setlist:

After the Modlins finished up, Jason and I took off to the Tower Bar for Punk Rock Karaoke. A lot of my friends were there that I haven’t seen in a while so it was a good time. Rip Griswald was there (from Orion Frequency) and at one point he was pushed outta the bar by some of my other friends. Not cool. I didn’t really see what happened but when I asked a couple of my friends later, they said “he was being a douchebag”. Apparently they didn’t like him trying to sing into the mic and pushing up front, but as I pointed out to my friends…it’s a goddamn punk rock show and other people enjoy punk that are outside their circle of friends and they need to get over it. Eventually Rip was let back into the bar and we did a celebratory shot and nobody bothered him again. A really cool part of the night was seeing Rob Crow do a song. I tried to record it but it’s too damn dark in the bar, so if I can get an MP3 created from the vid, I’ll post it later.

Everyone was there in Sandra's honor.

Of course, her brother Miggs was on fire.

Rip got tossed for a while but was let in later.

Rob Crow does punk rock.

After the Tower, a few friends came over and before we knew it, the sun started to rise, and we finally called it a night. Quite a way to start a weekend…

Weekend Recap: Swim Party, The Modlins, Alta Voz

It’s Sunday night and I should be motivating to go check out The Hatchet Brothers at 10:30, but unlike most of you, I have to work this President’s Day and it is going to be a long week for me with tons of shows to see.

This weekend proved full as any. Friday night started with another great dinner at Ponce’s then I headed out to the Whistle Stop. Swim Party was amazing, per usual. Eric has such great vocal control and it’s fun to see him kinda start out shy and then really get into a groove around the 3rd song and just let go. The bar was crowded while they played, but not unbearably so.





By the time the Modlins started, however, it was packed beyond anything I’d ever seen there. I carefully maneuvered back to my seat but the space in front of my table had filled up, so here are some pics, but sorry they’re of the camera-held-over-my-head variety. The Modlins are a good band with a retro pop feel, with many layered harmonies. I was kinda feeling Bill Haley and the Comets and enjoyed the wholesome pop. It made me feel like I should be in a fuzzy sweater with a pink ribbon in my ponytail. Thanks to the Modlins for the CD, I look forward to listening to it.

I did start to get a little claustrophobic, so I moved to the other side of the bar for the remainder of the band’s set and slipped out right as they finished. I was tempted to head down to Stingaree with CatDirt, but opted instead to head back to home base at the Ken Club. The bands were done so I hung out with friends until closing and a few friends came over after and watched a movie until pass out time.

Saturday was pretty mellow. I met my sister and brother in law and a couple friends in Little Italy for Carnivale, but it really only involved a couple jesters on stilts and bands playing on selected corners. You can really only hear “Volare” so many times in your life, I think, so we bailed and had dinner at the Waterfront.

After dinner it was back to home base and I spent my evening at the Ken Club. 2 of the four bands cancelled, so I only got to see Alta Voz who were releasing their CD. They are a four piece band, the singer alternating between keyboards and a synthesizer. I didn’t love them but I didn’t hate them. They were just pretty straight forward rock. I imagine if I had the disc I’d get a stronger feel for their sound, but there was nothing incredible or distinguishing for me. I will say that when the guitarist sang, as he did for a couple songs, I actually liked his voice better than the lead man. Also, I would note that I’d probably put Alta Voz on Sassy’s cute band alert. I thought the drummer looked like DeeJay from Roseanne, and my friends were in agreement.

Sunday morning, Andrea and I trekked up to Escondido for a KPRI promotion. They had tickets to some artist showcases and I was really interested in a couple of them. Unfortunately we got there late and ended up with tickets to a less desirable show, but The Colour is on the bill so I will check it out anyway. I’m trying to maneuver for the other ones, which you will hear about later this week.

After hanging out and listening for a bit to Len Rainey play some blues, I talked Andrea into margaritas at a place I’d been once before called Hacienda De Vega. It was just as amazing as I remember, you can read about it on my food blog later.

That, my friends, was the extent of my weekend. This is a big week ahead, with Pete Yorn and Aqualung, Gomez and Ben Kweller then the Cold War Kids, Kite Flying Society with Oh No, Oh My, a music showcase with The Colour, then AM and Brian Vander Ark. And that’s all before the weekend. I might as well just take a sleeping bag to the House of Blues, it seems.

See you all out on the town.

bill/The Modlins

So what do I know?? This from the manager of bill (who I will be seeing in January at the Belly Up)

I just found out that bill has been voted one of the
top 25 bands on Myspace by Rolling Stone. Their song Watercolors was nominated
and ended up winning a place on their list out of over 1,700 bands. All the info
about the contest can be found at rollingstone.com/bestofmyspace. Just wanted to pass along the good news!

Also, The Modlins have a new album coming out in January, but you can listen to 4 tracks on their myspace page.