FM 94/9 Holiday Hootenanny 12.11.2010

Earlier this week, my photos from the Holiday Hootenanny were put up on SoundDiego, but I've got some more and haven't had the chance to write about the whole show. It was definitely a fun night. I took my friend Steve to the show, mostly because he's really easygoing and since I knew I'd be taking photos, he would be on his own for a lot of the night. What I didn't know is that he'd eaten a giant pot brownie, so within an hour of our arrival, he was telling me that we'd have to cab home. So much for my designated driver...at that point I pretty much left him to watch the show as I bounced back and forth between the photo pit and the VIP lounge. There was a little taco spread and they were serving complimentary wine and Guiness Black Lager, which is apparently test marketing in San Diego. It was good, but I'd gone big on Friday and wasn't really into drinking too heavily, so I took it easy and mostly just caught up with friends between bands.

Tokyo Police Club kicked off the night and sounded awesome on the big stage. It was fun shooting with awesome lighting so I just went with it.


Sleigh Bells was next onstage and though I was looking forward to seeing them since they were the only band on the bill that I hadn't seen before but I just wasn't feeling it. Their backing tracks were far more complex than their actual live performance. The lighting was mainly red lights and strobe so my photos really aren't worth posting. I spend most of the three songs in the pit trying to assess what part of the performance was actually live. To be honest, it didn't feel like much of it was live. Maybe that's fine for a club, but at a show like this, I want live music. I went back upstairs until The Temper Trap were on.

I've seen them twice before and this was better than the other two for me, maybe because of the energy of the crowd, but it also might be because this performance felt a little more diverse...it wasn't that alto vox the whole way through the set.


I was really happy to see Against Me! again. The last time I saw the band was a few years back at Warped Tour, and since they played back to back with Rise Against, my brain had confused the two, but I really loved Against Me's latest record, White Crosses, and to be honest and slightly sexist, I really wanted some manly rock. I definitely got that with their performance and found myself forgetting to take pictures because I was so into the band's performance and Tom Gabel just really does it for me. He's super sexy and owns the stage when he's on it.


Between bands I went back upstairs. The VIP area traditionally shuts down before the headlining band, so I had a couple quick beers. While standing around with friends, a guy started talking to me. He was hilarious and told me that he has snuck into the VIP area (twice) and the second time his friends were too afraid to follow. He had a fun energy, but the band was about to start to I had to bail and get downstairs and slipped into the elevator as it was closing. The Black Keys are always fantastic and you just get the feeling that they love San Diego and that they love FM 94/9. They had also got their Grammy nominations just a few days before so there was this infectious energy in the arena.

After the three songs, I was wandering and bumped back into Patrick, the sneaky kid in the VIP area, and he convinced me that we had to SEE the show. I cannot tell you the last time I was at a big show and actually maneuvered through a crowd, but within 10 minutes, that's exactly what we were doing. We're on the floor surrounded mostly by kids and worked out way all the way back up to the front. It was hot and stinky and sweaty and I had crowdsurfers passing over my head and it was awesome. Patrick turned to be quite sheisty and was telling people all kinds of shit...that I was some reporter and needed to get "my story" and whatever and whispering to me, "just go with it." I did and the crowd was spastic and we got carried around as it shifted and though I felt like I'd been hit by a bus the next day, I felt like a kid when I was in it.



Things worked out in the end, thankfully Natalie offered to drive Steve and I back home and I closed my night out at the Ken Club.

I took almost 400 pictures but nobody wants to see that many photos, so here's a little slideshow of some of the rest of my shots. Huge thanks to FM 94/9 for another great show and I look forward to whatever is around the corner for 2011.

FM 94/9 Announces Holiday Hootenanny

I posted about some upcoming holiday shows, but today is super special because FM 94/9 has announced their Holiday Hootenanny.

Event: Holiday Hootenanny
Station: FM 94/9
Date: December 11, 2010
Location: RIMAC Arena, UCSD
Lineup: The Black Keys, Against Me!, The Temper Trap, Sleigh Bells, Tokyo Police Club
Onsale: November 16, 12noon via FM949sd.com, Price Center Ballroom, Ticketmaster
More Info: FM949sd.com

I have one thing to say about this: KICK ASS.

Tokyo Police Club @ Casbah, 8/8/10

I don't have a ton to say about the Tokyo Police Club show at the Casbah. It was fantastic, they brought their own really cool lights, and the show was sold out...I got there right as the openers, The Arkells, started, and they were awesome, energetic, and kept the crowd interested. In fact, it seemed nobody was gonna appreciate me squeezing in, nor did I want to wait up front for the whole show because I had a few friends I wanted to catch up with, so I decided to chill out and skip the photos and videos this time around. Instead, I opted to hang out on the side and just watch the entire show. I did manage to take a couple far away photos of Tokyo Police Club and got this of the setlist. I don't know how closely they followed it, seeing as it said Tucson at the top, but perhaps they stuck to it generally.

Singer Dave Monk mentioned that they had an awesome day in San Diego. They played an acoustic show at Dog Beach (which I found out about too late to post) and enjoyed our town, which made it funny later on, during the encore, when Dave thanked San Francisco. Immediately realizing his error, he let out a giant "FUUUUUUUCCCCCKKKK!!" and begged forgiveness and everyone was laughing it off. "I even wrote it on the back of my guitar so I wouldn't mess it up!!" He was cute about it and I don't think anyone cared except for the guy from the opening band who mockingly heckled him.

I know these pics aren't great by any stretch, but considering I was sitting on the ledge next to the coffee pot, I'd say they're a good representation of the killer lighting they brought. I think the picture below might be my favorite photo I've ever taken in theory, because the guitarist was furiously hitting his tambourine and somehow I managed to get Dave peeking through...though I realize it looks like he's being eaten by a jellyfish.

Anyhow, super fun night and nice bumping into friends unexpectedly. I hope before the end of the day that I can get some Temper Trap and SSPU photos up, but I took so many and they take forever to sort through and upload. By the way, I'm currently using photobucket, but has anyone tried numerous photo sites and decided on a best option? I've used Picasa, Flickr, and Photobucket, but haven't tried them in years...maybe they're better now? Any input that would help me to better use my time would be appreciated.

Street Scene 2008: Photos From Day 2

My day two of Street Scene started with me waiting at the bus stop until I realized Jake wasn't really mad at me and he was gonna pick me up after getting Dagart. So after 10 minutes at the bus stop, I waited for them at the Ken Club and had a bloody mary. Todd makes them so tasty. Eventually Dag and Jake showed up, but we picked up Sean and he took forever so I missed The Whigs. Oh well. Shockingly, that bloody mary turned out to be the only drink I had the entire day. One sponsor of Street Scene was "UpShot" which is a pomegranate energy shot. I drank one with major naivete, like, hey, I like pomegranate! The shit tasted terrible and seriously fucked me up for the entire night. It made me nauseous, shaky, and I felt like shit all night. But, a blogger's gotta do what a blogger's gotta do, so I endured and took some pics of the day. The bands were great, and when Natalie sent me a text that said "The National will make you feel better" she was almost right. All my pics after the jump.


By the time we arrived and I got my photo pass, I'd already missed The Whigs, but made it in time for some photos of Spiritualized. Man, were they amazing. Their sound was beautiful and made me wanna group hug everyone. And I don't believe in God, but they made me feel like I did.

Spiritualized







From Spiritualized, I was on to Dengue Fever who have an incredible back story which you can read pretty much everywhere on the web, so I'll spare you. But the Cambodian influence is strong in the music and the band appeared to be having a great time on stage, which always wins me over. I thought they were great, but I could easily see how they are a love them or hate them band with a sound so different to your average American.

Dengue Fever




I am pretty sure I have seen every Cold War Kids appearance in San Diego, aside from perhaps private radio station shows. Saw them open for Two Gallants, saw them play the sidestage at the House of Blues, have seen every Casbah show, sold merch for them at the Belly Up, and have seen their giant stage shows at Indy Jam and now Street Scene. The band had a really unfortunate stage set with monitors lined up all the way across the stage, so my pictures really sucked, but I held my photo spot because I knew Nathan would hit the keys, so here were the best I could get.

Cold War Kids




I'm surprised to see so much shit talking about Tokyo Police Club. They're fast, fun, and super young, and after seeing them 3 or 4 times, I still like them.

Tokyo Police Club




I've seen The Hives before but never had the opportunity to take pics of them and I can say they are hilarious and enthusiastic and I love their false bravado and false egos. They embrace the "We Are Rock Stars" mantra and play it up throughout their entire performance. It was awesome taking pics of them because all the big deal photogs with their monster zooms couldn't adjust to the band standing directly above us. Suckas!

The Hives






I was so excited to see Ghostland Observatory again, so I got to their stage half an hour early, just to make sure I got to the pit and so as not to be bullied by the one dude from Getty Images who seemed to think he was more important than everyone else with his ridiculous lens and his girlfriend in tow. I held my spot, but of course forgot the crazy fog machine, which pretty much made my picture taking completely worthless.

Ghostland Observatory






I think it was on the way to The Hives that I took that goddamn energy shot and it was during Ghostland Observatory that the goddamn shot made me want to vomit. Not that I was gonna go join into one of the many dance circles that had formed, but I was pissed, and I left Street Scene and hit a taco shop a couple blocks down. My food was terrible but it was food and I thought it might make me feel better or settle the crazy caffeine jitters I had. And there was a customers only bathroom, but I'm sad to say there was some disgusting man who used it before me and the smell was so horrific that I waited until I was back at the Street Scene port-a-potties. Seriously. Good job on that one, Hagey! Anyway, when I got back, I listened to X as I sat near the tree planters in the parking lot just hoping I'd feel better. Eventually I made my way to the stage where The National was going to play, but they said photographers weren't allowed in just yet, so I chilled out. I actually laid down with my purse as a pillow as I felt like a freakin tweaker. Natalie and Pete joined me, and as we chilled near the photo pit entrance, Matt, the singer of The National came out from backstage to say hi to friends. I popped to my feet, and as he returned backstage, I asked if we could take pics with him, and he was so kind and obliged, though unfortunately my amazing photographer friend Natalie took the worse pic ever of us, so I'm not even posting it. Still, it was nice that he introduced himself and chatted for a sec right before his show.

As for their show, I am ever amazed by The National. And apparently most of my friends don't get it. Which is fine. I could give a shit. Because seriously, there are maybe 4 bands or musicians that I consider my 'go to' bands that I listen to when I'm loving life, when I'm depressed, when I can't sleep, and when I want to party: Rocky Votolato, Ryan Adams, Okkervil River, and The National. I loved their set and I always love seeing them. (like the last time when I snuck onstage) Matt was having some serious trouble ("Something in my throat broke") and they cut the set about 10 minutes short, but I still loved every second of their performance. The security lost count and allowed photographers for 4 songs, and when I tried to tell them it had already been three, they argues it was 2, so I went back in and took more pics.


The National








After The National, I realized I'd used up my entire memory card on my camera, so I wandered trying to find Jake and Dagart. Honestly, while The National made me feel slightly better, that stupid energy drink still had me feeling like shit so I was ready to go. We hung out for a while listening to Devo from afar and then catching one song from Man Man before we finally called it a night and put the seal on another Street Scene. Despite the energy drink crap, I had a great weekend. Honestly, I don't care where Street Scene is held. If you're a lover of music, there is always something to love.

Thursday Recap: Tokyo Police Club & Dappled Cities

I honestly don't even know where to start with this post because last night was such a great night. A little after 8, Andrea came to my house with friends Nathan and Jacob, both in San Diego from LA for Comic-Con. We had a pre-drink and hung out until it was time to head to the Beauty Bar. We got there close to 9 and there was a line of about 30 people outside. Natalie let us know that the doors hadn't yet opened and we could hear Dappled Cities sound checking inside. We went to 7-11 and dallied a bit and the when we came back, the line was twice as long and nobody had been let in.





I was "working" this show, so I called the tour manager Al, who came out and met us. We chatted and then after a few minutes the security came out and told everyone to form a second line for ticket holders, starting from exactly where we were standing. We breezed right in and had our run of the bar until everyone behind us started filtering in.





In the patio, Al introduced and Natalie and I to the band, who gladly signed a couple CDs and posters for us and for giveaways. It was clear from the get go that Dappled Cities (Fly) is made up of some of the nicest guys around. Maybe Natalie is right and I'm a little gun shy from the whole BoH things, but it's meeting a band like Dappled Cities that reassures you that the old model of asshole rockers doesn't fly in the biz these days.


Anyway, I'm talking to Tim from Dappled Cities and he asks how I like the record (I love it) and what my favorite track is, which totally caught me off guard because it occurred to me that since I usually listen while I'm sitting in my yard working on the computer and the CD is playing inside from my house stereo, I haven't once looked at track titles. What kind of music blogger am I?


Anyway, they played an amazing set. Like while it was happening, Natalie and I could hardly contain our fan-dom. I am a huge fan of Gomez, and one of the things I love about them is that they vary who takes the lead vox on songs, making every song feel different while still having a cohesive album, and the same can be said about Dappled Cities. Tim's ability to alternate between a falsetto and regular voice is amazing...on the CD I actually thought that Vision Bell was sung with shared vocals but it's all Tim.






They started their set as people were still filtering in, but midway through the set, the patio and the dancefloor were packed. The band played a full set and had me dancing throughout. Yes, you read correctly. I, me, Rosey, was dancing.











I'm supposed to be a fan first, blogger second...but sometimes both get tossed out the window when I turn into groupie crazy girl. Tim kept looking at us up front and when he looked at me while singing the final line of Holy Chord then laughed as he attempted to sing the final line: "What does it mean to take off all your clothes and look into your eyes and say I mean it." "That was sincere," he joked sarcastically. Didn't matter to those of us loving their set. We believe he meant it.




Dappled Cities Fly Setlist, Beauty Bar San Diego, July 26, 2007

I was so completely happy with the show that it could've ended just then for me. But add the topper that Tokyo Police Club was yet to play and it was just that much better. I love TPC, and to me their performance was exactly what you'd expect when hearing their music. Kinda fast, dancey, and a shit load of songs, but none really lasting longer than two minutes, which in a bar, feels like 45 seconds. Andrea was fixated on the energy of they keyboardist who was impressive and energetic throughout the show.









I had a DD on this night? Did I mention that? Because it made an impact on my overall consumption for the evening. Somehow I made it to the bar and back to my spot, but not without some hisses. I've seen the Beauty Bar crowded before, but not like this where the patio was packed and the dancefloor was packed with people trying to see the stage, and there was hardly anybody lingering by the bar. On other crowded nights, I feel like there is still always ac rowd 6 people deep mobbing the bar, but everyone was there for this show.


Tokyo Police Club Setlist, Beauty Bar San Diego, 7/26/07

After the show, we hung around for a while. It was fun hanging with fellow bloggers...Natalie (It's Too Sunny...), Mario (SanDiegoish), and Mandy (reelMandy). Also, I have to say, I'm so used to going to shows alone...arriving and leaving on my own whim, so it was nice to be with such an accomodating group of people. So here's some pics of my homies...Andrea, Jacob, Carey, and Nathan.





When we did finally leave, we headed to the Ken to finish off the night and we went a little nutso with the camera.







Nathan revealed to us that he is the son of Mark Hamill. Yes, that Mark Hamill. So yeah, you guys can have Comic-Con...I was hanging with Luke Skywalker's son :) And I am of course only writing this because I told him in my state of vodka-ness "I'm sooo gonna blog that."



Anyway, an amazing ending to an amazing evening, once again, and the weekend looks to get better. Thanks to the Jacob for driving, to Filter for the tickets and CD (to show my love I bought a shirt), to Al for being so open to us, and to Dappled Cities and TPC for an amazing show.