You Look Like David Bowie

Originally uploaded by ryanfoley.

On Friday, while the cool kids were at the Strokes concert and the really cool kids were at the Metric concert, the scenesters were watching Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!. The show was at the Great American, which is my favorite SF venue.

The openers were the Brunettes. I saw them open for Rilo Kiley before. They're a really odd band using a lot of percussion and hand claps int their songs. The problem with them is that the songs aren't that great and their voices don't help the cause. I don't know how this band has opened for both Rilo Kiley and CYHSY, but I'm going to assume they have some incriminating photos.

Before CLHSY went on, Annie decided to take advantage of some concert newbies and we jumped from the third row of people to the first. You might think that it doesn't make that much of a difference, but it really does. For instance, if I weren't right up front I couldn't have told you that all of the band members (save one) had really bad shoes. In fact, none of them were really good dressers. Or are corduroy pants and silk vests coming back?

So if anyone out there is on the fence about CYHSY and the one thing holding you back is the strained vocals, don't go to a live show. Apparently recording equipment has not been invented that can capture the full strain of CYHSY vocals since the album is dramatically easier on the ears. That said, I like the strained vocals and after a couple of songs I got used to the difference. I might even like it more strained.

The show was really polarized. During their faster songs, they really rocked and looked like they were having fun doing it. But during the slower ones I started to get bored. They wouldn't move from their designated spots. I still appreciated the songs, but I go to shows for more than what I can get off the album.

After the show I dropped Annie and Susan off and grabbed a burrito. That's the best way to end any night.

Love is a Number

Originally uploaded by ryanfoley.

I had intended to see Tapes 'n Tapes on Thursday. Even though they've got the hype machine that is the interweb pushing them forward, I still dig them. They're not the next Radiohead or anything, but a good band that I wanted to see.

Unfortunately, by the time we got to Du Nord, the show was sold out. I don't get it. Just a week prior I saw Spinto Band and didn't have any ticket problems. Is Tapes 'n Tapes bigger?

Anyway, we were planning on going to Popscene after the show, so we just went a little early. And White Rose Movement was there. I didn't realize that I had one of their songs in the old iTunes until I heard them play it (actually, I thought that they were maybe playing a cover).

So WRM (as I'm going to call them from now on) is the right type of band to play Popscene: British. That and their music is very danceable. I don't know if it would work in a larger venue or if people weren't in the mood to dance.

Anyway, like all Popscene sets, WRM's was short. But they rocked pretty hard while they were on stage. The singer was energetic enough to keep me interested. And the keyboard player was way cute.

When the set ended, the crowd devolved into the normal under-age indie dance party.

I Love You Jon!

Originally uploaded by ryanfoley.

After seeing The Spinto Band the previous night at Cafe Du Nord, I got to see them open for the Arctic Monkeys at Great American. At Du Nord, I was right up front, beyond the main speakers, so I was listening to the set through the monitors. The second show had dramatically better sound.

The Spinto Band is pretty young (19-22), but they really put on a good live show. There sound is tight and they have fun up there. I also created a connection between one band member (Jon). His cousin's friend was in the audience at Du Nord. So I cheered for him exclusively. I also got to give a shout out to Delaware (where they're from).

The Arctic Monkeys are, as expected, mostly hype. I thought they were supposed to be good live? They barely said two words to the audience, and hardly moved around. That combined with all of the 15 year olds pushing around up front caused me to move to the back (how old am I?).

In the back I ran into Jon. We talked briefly before the show, and while watching the Arctic Monkeys he tried to convince me that they were good. I think he was just being nice. After we were done talking he went to the merch table. A minute later he gave me a handful of stickers.

It's that sort of thing that gets you die-hard fans. Jon, and the Spinto Band as a whole, expect to see/hear me the next time you're in town.