Pussy Galore: Trentalange, The Hot Toddies, The Fascination

I will edit this post with details of the show later, but for now, here are the pics.

Trentalange:


I missed Trentalange on Wednesday because I was at home deciding if really wanted to go out, but upon analyzing my 300+ channels of digital cable tv and realizing it was all crap, I decided I had no excuse not to go. And man, did I want a cocktail...

You can read my review of Trentalange from Sunday's performance here. It seemed that there were a lot of people there specifically to see Rodney and people were gushing about the performance outside the bar between bands.

The Hot Toddies:









As evidenced by the photos, The Hot Toddies are a 4 piece all girl band outta Oakland. They have sweet melodies and lots of two part harmonies while they sing snarky jokey songs about vaginas and motor scooters and pirates. I thought they were cute albeit more of a novelty act. Francine said, "I don't like them. And you can quote me on that." It was hard to tell if the crowd was into it because people were having full on loud conversations. This is why I could never be in a band. I would just be like "fuck you then" and walk offstage. Or like a teacher calling out a student talking in class, "Is there something you'd like to share with all of us??" It's terribly rude but maybe I'm just hypersensitive to it. Anyhow, the girls finished off their set and had a ton of merch to sell but I felt it was too many choices, to be honest. I like choices, but SEVEN different shirts is a lot.

I met Jessica outside and she told me that this is their second tour. Last time in San Diego they played "that country sounding" named place...oh yeah, the Whistle Stop. I asked the ages of the girls because they looked so young. 2 of them are 23, and two of them are 25. I'm turning into one of those 30 year olds that tells everyone they're "babies" even if I'm only like 2 years older. She was very proud of their "marshmallow" van which was a huge eggshell colored van with a camper top. They are on Asian Man records, a DIY label out of San Jose. I don't know what it is about this band, but I could see them getting big time indie nation love. Scenesters love their indie chicks.

The Fascination:





Last up were The Fascination. I don't know anything about this band except that they are Erica Jessup's (Beauty Bar) favorite band according to her interview for SignOn as a tastemaker. To be honest, I wasn't really into their sound. The British singer does a little too much pushing with his voice. I did really like the fact that they played danceable electronic sounding music without computers or synthesizers. The drummer created the effect with his cymbals and it was pretty cool to me. They had a pretty decent sized group digging their stuff and the local scene was representing...I saw guys from Jezebel, Swim Party, and Down With Leo. Adam from Rookie Card was there recruiting people for Friday's Trivia night at the Sports Club.

The Fascination is playing at the Ken Club this month, so maybe on a weekend when I'm a little more loaded and less uptight, I'll probably be more into their whole sound. They are also playing in support of the Modlins CD Release at The Whistle Stop on Feb 16 along with Swim Party.



I went to the bathroom and heard people chanting, "Take it off! Take it off!"

Here is the result of that chanting:

Sunday Night Recap: The Lanterns, Trentalange, Jezebel, Action Andy

I guess I was lucky enough to have checked MySpace on Sunday evening and got the post from Tim Pyles that the show at the Casbah would start at regular show times (doors at 8:30, bands around 9:20-ish) instead of his usual free Sunday with free food and doors at 7. I thought this would give me time and motivation to check out the Gypsy band at Dizzy's but I just couldn't muster the energy.

Instead, I did still head to the Casbah. Everyone must've had a crazy weekend like me because even on a free night, there were not a lot of people there.

The first band was the Lanterns. They had a good sound and I'd like to see them do a show with Fifty on Their Heels and get some younger people into the music scene...we're all old and aging out and the younger kids just don't seem to be replenishing our stock.



The singer kept pointing out that they were too young to be in the bar. He said they had merch but if you wanted any, you'd have to buy it outside. Their American Apparel tees were only $10 and I would've bought one if I'd taken cash out. I mean, how was I supposed to know I spent all my cash on Sat night? He also said, "when I grow up, I wanna come to a show at the Casbah," and pointing out the thin crowd, "wow, this is really nice tile". Endearing. After their last song they thrashed around the stage, rolling on the floor but not enough to damage any equipment. Smart kids.

Trentalange played in the Atari Lounge. Jason commented that they are the loudest band to ever play back there. I don't know if that is true but it certainly was close. Trentalange is Barbera Trentalange out of Seatlle and Rodney Elliott, the beloved sound technician who works at San Diego Sports Club and Beauty Bar and also does band management. He's one of the nicest guys in the local music scene, so you should show your support when the band plays on Wednesday night at Sports club.

I had heard Trentalange on the radio as I was evpecting really quiet stuff. In reality, I was reminded of seeing Imogen Heap of Frou Frou at the House of Blues. Barbera is behind a keyboard, with a sound board on her side, an iBook next to that, with a wireless computer keyboard on top of her keyboard. Behind them was a screen with projected images, cartoons, and footage they've taken from the road. I really liked them and would've liked them more if I didn't have a screaming headache. They played two sets between the other bands. She has really cute shirts for sale, so bring your cash on Wednesday.

I gave up on pics because they were just coming out so awful with no lights on in the Atari Lounge.

Next up was Jezebel. The singer kinda resembles David Boey to me, but their sound reminded me a lot of the Michael Hutchence CD that was released posthumously. They were rock with a heavy dose of dark and brooding and I liked it. I can't believe I've known Mike the bassist for so long and this was my first time seeing them play. I am a bad friend.

To all you people who said you were coming but didn't, you missed out because 94/9 had a raffle and Tim was being generous and hooked me up with the new Clap Your Hands Say Yeah CD called "Some Loud Thunder". Anna Troy was present with Bart Mendoza and slipped me her solo CD called "Ain't No Man" which is also on my listening agenda today. She will be playing with The Shambles, Buzzkill Romantics, and Vinyl Radio at the next free Casbah Sunday on February 25. If you know any place willing to donate food, let Tim know because us poor people count on the free grub on the Local Pyle Presents evenings.

Action Andy and His Haunted Honky Tonkers played last. I actually really like honky tonk and if I wasn't ready to pass out I might've made Tim swing dance with me, but I just couldn't make it and left after three songs.

Tonight is Anti-Monday League at the Casbah and I will be there. I will FINALLY get to see Hostile Combover, with Ben Johnson on the skins. He is one of my favorite Casbah bartenders and it's lame of me that I've never caught him in a live show, so count me in for tonight. The other bands are Bob Wayne and the Outlaw Carnies, Waxy and Ricksha. Be there. It's only $5 and what else could you possibly have going on tonight?