My Weekend Recap: Belly Up, Casbah, BBQ, Ken Club, etc.

I wouldn't feel right if I didn't write about my weekend, so excuse the diary post. Strangely I didn't feel compelled to take pictures, or as in the case of Saturday night, I did, but they came out like shit, so I'll just kinda recap how my weekend went, but I'll put it after the jump so as not to clog my front page.

Starting on Thursday night, I took a really short 20 minute nap before driving up to the Belly Up to sell merch for The Album Leaf. Jimmy asked me last time I was at the Casbah if I was for hire and gave him a resounding yes. I'm all about making a little cash on the side to support my show attendance and bar tabs, so I was happy to do it. Little did I know just how much merch they had. The quantity wasn't so bad because we didn't do a count-in, but I learned throughout the night that it's really hard to dig through 7 boxes and a trunk with low light and even less space. I did my best.

More important, the show was a great one. Calico Horse started off the night and aside from a couple moments of feedback, the band sounded made for the Belly Up, with their rich, warm sounds. Manuok was second up and I realized it had been some time since I'd seen them perform as a full band and it, too, sounded great. For mellow music, it was loud and there was no chance of the crowd drowning the sound. Last up was Album Leaf, and they alternated songs with vocals with instrumentals and it was one of those moments where I kinda pinched myself at how talented this whole group of guys really is. Seriously, the number of projects these guys have their collective fingers in is astounding, and their fans were out in full force to appreciate it.

After the show I packed up all the merch and chatted with the band before making my way back south, getting home a little after 2 a.m. I'll tell you, it was my first solid sleep in a while. I was beat.

Friday, after a full workday, I got off work a little bit early and was really energized and took the time to clean up my house, which had pretty much gone to shambles over the course of the week since I'd been out every night since returning from vacation. It was nice to have a clean house, but perhaps I shouldn't have skipped dinner, because when I went to the Casbah for Fleet Foxes, I was in the wrong state of mind.

The show was sold out and a lot of my friends were there that I hadn't seen in a while, and I was hyper. Not exactly the right energy level for this particular show. I missed Fantastic Magic, but the Dutchess and The Duke were this kinda plucky, quiet band and Fleet Foxes definitely fit their My Morning Jacket and Band of Horses comparisons. The crowd was packed in and I really wished the show was on a Tuesday night instead of a Friday because I was just as much a 'weekend warrior' as the usual Friday nights, unable to stand in one place. I attempted three pictures but gave up and retreated to the patio to chill with my friends. I definitely want to see both bands again, just not when my brain and body are racing. Needless to say, I hit the Ken Club after the show, and ran into more friends who came over after, but I crashed out pretty quick and was happy to not have to wake up at any specific time come Saturday.

I loafed around most of the day, except for my trip to Gabriel's tortilleria/carniceria to get goods for the BBQ. I know I said I wasn't gonna buy anything, but what kind of hostess is that? I picked up some beer, set up the backyard, and made some of my rice and beans before everyone arrived.

When I first moved to Kensington, I used to have several parties throughout the summer, but last year I slacked a bit, so it's been good to get the nudge from Abraham and others to host more daytime parties. A lot of people showed up with a lot of beer and though we got a later jump on the afternoon than intended, I think everyone had a pretty good time. (we said 5 pm, most people showed up after 7pm) And like I said, even then I didn't feel any need to take out my camera. Team Abraham, Hotel St. George, and a couple dozen of our friends were here and we ate good food and had yummy beer until we realized it was time to head to the Ken Club. Sorry to The Stereotypes, because I think they were supposed to play second but were tired of waiting and went ahead and set up in everyone's absence.

The show was great...all three bands were damn good, and though I'd paced myself in the afternoon, sticking to beer alone, at the bar I decided to move on to Cazadores. I think after all afternoon of sun and fun, boozin' and schmoozin', there really was no after party. When the bar was done, so were we. Some friends crashed out, but it was all about sleep.

That lead to Sunday when I was ready for some quiet time. I stayed home all day and stayed almost completely unplugged all day, though I couldn't resist checking out Twitter.

On Thursday night, one of my cat's had popped out my screen and Kiwi, my oldest cat, hadn't come home since, though she was just next door hiding any time I'd try to get her in. I was concerned, so finally was able to coax her home with some food, but she managed to get back out, so that night, while I was trying to sleep, she was outside crying. I found her and brought her in. Back to sleep, only to be awaken by one of my cats barfing. Gross. Back to sleep, only to be awaken by my dog barking her head off at something. I was worried my cats were sick and I'd gotten no sleep, so I took Monday off of work. I had scheduled it anyway, but wish I could've saved the day for later in the summer, but mommy duty called. I think my cats are ok now, but I was a little worried for a while.

All this lead to Monday night. Anti-Monday League at the Casbah, with Writer, Henry Clay People, and Swim Party. That show will get it's own post. It was definitely a great weekend, and inspiration enough to have a couple more parties this summer so keep an eye out. Huge thanks to everyone who came over and made it such a killer weekend. Looking forward to the next time around.

Local Music Newsy Bits

It's been a while since I've gathered some newsy bits but there are a few things of note that I thought were worth mentioning.

*The Stereotypes landed the theme song for a new cable show called "Peter Perfect". It airs on Saturday April 19th at 9pm on The Style Network (www.mystyle.com). They are using the song "Skinny Penny" from their Leftovers EP. The same song is also being used in an episode of "Bones" (Fox) which airs on May 5. They're also working on a new record which should be out in Fall 08.

*Roses on Her Grave are in search of a new bassist. They're playing at the Ken Club on Friday for those interested who wanna check it out. It's also CJ's birthday that night so say hi.

*For anyone who didn't already read it on the other local blogs, The Muslims were recently a "Band To Watch" on Sterogum.com. You can read what they had to say about our local boys here. Also, if you've got some graphic skills, Kelly from Sweet Tooth Records needs some help making a banner for their 7" of "Extinction" that will be posted on various sites, including this one. Contact me and I'll put you in touch with Kelly if you're interested.

Got some news I missed? Email me and let me know...

SSPU @ BUT 11/14/06

My Starsailor hook-up fell through and KFS played earlier than I thought, so my Tuesday was a one stop night: Silersun Pickups at the Belly Up.

My friend Beth who books shows there said "there's no way it will sell out", soI took my sweet time getting there. Not so, Andrea bought a ticket for me since she got there earlier to make sure I didn't miss out. The Stereotypes were already onstage when I got there. It was also quite crowded already. I mazed through the club...to the left up the stairs, down the seating, to the right down the handicap access ramp, down two steps and to my surprise, there was a "too cool" gap in front of the stage about 6 feet deep. I have no shame and met up with Matt and Andrea right along the stage.

I enjoyed the stereotypes...I didn't have any idea that Mike Kamoo of Tomorrow's Son (among many other bands) was in this band. What was even more enjoyable, however, was watching the guy next to me dance like a wild man. Everyone was snickering...the security guard stage left, the drummer, the people standing stage right. Whatever, man, get your groove on.

As was expected, the second the Stereotypes left the stage, the crowd filled the gap. Two skanky whores maneuvered their way up and tried to gradually push Andrea and I away. When SSPU took the stage, they pushed more. That added to the guitar just being way too loud, Andrea gave up.

I put up with 4 songs until whore #1 pushed me hard. I turned and elbowed her to get out of my space. After the song she goes, "I didn't mean to bump you." I laughed. "Whatever."

The next song came on and she and her pouty lip whore friend who was trying to make eyes with the singer were talking shit and now deliberately pushing and bumping into me. Sometimes I can tolerate and sometimes I cannot. It took everything I have not to clock her. So the 5th song ends and I say to blondie, "You've been pushing me since we were in line outside. (did I not mention that before?) It's been more than on purpose because you're a bitch. You fucking win." and I pushed past both of them to leave. Then the pouty I-think-I'm-a-Model one goes, "God, you're so mean!" and I say, "and you're a fucking whore."

I never said I was nice. I'm glad people like them only go to trendy, highly hyped shows and tend not to be at The Casbah or more indie shows or I would probably never go out.

I ended up hopping between the rear smoking patio and some seats along the wall, where the sound was much better but the vocals were still too quiet for my tastes, probably just from my ears getting blown out from the front of the stage. I would've expected this show to be better than at the House Of Blues Side Stage (especially because I was wasted at that other one) but I would have to say it wasn't. I love this band, don't get me wrong, but the overall experience was kinda shitty, to be honest. It was good to see lots of peeps...of course, Andrea, the boys from Vinyl Radio, Chickrawker Lyn (for 2 seconds), Owen, Pete Markall, Troy Johnson, Scott Richison, and Dustin from Cape May. Were you there too? It was packed!

After the show, I had the band sign my CD case and hung out for a bit, until deciding it was time to go home. I had delusions of going to A/C for Big Sonic Chill (and maybe score some Frank Black tickets) but that's not the kinda place I want to go alone and it was a good time to call it a night.

I'll give my things to do recs for today, but I'll likely be staying in. I'll tell you why in a few.