I hope this isn't a sign of things to come. But I've been to a few shows in the last few weeks and haven't blogged about any of them. Maybe if I knew if anyone was reading this I'd be more dedicated.
Anyway, way back on the 1st of April, Ben, Amy, and I went to Mezzanine to see Band of Horses and labelmates Helio Sequence. Remember a few weeks ago when Band of Horses was being hyped into outer space? I think it was based solely on their song The Funeral. This song is straight-up amazing. It's a very well-crafted song with a lot of interesting guitar work and some pretty haunting vocals.
When you hear a song that good, you think you've stumbled on the next big thing. So getting to see these guys live was supposed to be a treat. Instead, they gave a pretty mediocre performance with technical problems sprinkled in.
Imagine this: a four-piece band (guitar, bass, drums, singer/guitar). The guitar player only looks at his guitar neck, the bass player only looks at the drummer, and the drummer is hidden by his kit. This leaves a lot to be desired in a live show. But, what about the singer/guitarist? Well he's got a baseball cap on that covers most of his face. And when he's not knocking over equipment because he's pissed that the sound system is sucking, he's mumbling.
Disappointing.
Then, take the Helio Sequnce. I've seen these guys before, and when I did, I was amazed that it was only two guys. They make a whole lot of noise for two guys. The drummer is one of the most entertaining drummers out there. From the moment he raises his hand for the first beat of the opening song until the crowd is yelling for an encore, the dude's mouth is wide open.
The singer/guitarist is also amazingly talented. He's a great guitarist and a pretty decent singer. His lyrics are also good, although I don't know what most of them mean.
Ben hadn't ever heard Helio Sequence before, but was immediately taken in. If you get the chance to see these guys live, do it.
And I'm also going to try something new here. I'm going to link to songs from these guys. They're available on the bands' websites, so hopefully nobody will sue me.
Band of Horses - The Funeral
Helio Sequence - Everyone Knows Everyone
24 April 2006
03 April 2006
Hardcore Days & Softcore Nights / Every Moment
I had the perfect plan. I drove to the airport so that when I got back from Hawaii, I could go directly to Bimbo's to catch Aqueduct and Rogue Wave. What I hadn't planned on was that the people with my tickets might not be there when I got there. Luckily, cell phones were put to use and I only waited outside for about 10 minutes.
I went with Annie, Karin, her sister Erica, Susan, and her boyfriend Jason. Since this was a Noise Pop show, I feel like there weren't as many hard-core fans as normal. But up front, you always get the crazies.
So I got there just as Aqueduct was starting. This is really one of the best live acts out there. They're fun and energetic. Unfortunately, the only times I've seem them is as openers, so the sets are much shorter than what I want.
They played a good mix of old songs and some off an upcoming LP. The new songs sounded pretty good, but nothing really hooked me like the old stuff. I guess we'll have a real verdict in a few months when the new album comes out.
After that, Rogue Wave put on another solid show. Dressed all in white, I think they are starting to move toward larger indie-rock status. At least large enough to worry about their wardrobes.
The interesting thing about Rogue Wave is that they make some pretty significant changes to their songs when playing them live. If you're a fan and know the music, I think this is a pretty big plus, but my guess is that for newcomers, it isn't that great. The album versions are simply better songs. But we see live shows for the things that aren't on the album, so that's why I like the changes.
As a minor note, Annie got them to play a Buddy Holly cover. I wish they would have player March, which is a great song that was on a Comes with a Smile disk.
I went with Annie, Karin, her sister Erica, Susan, and her boyfriend Jason. Since this was a Noise Pop show, I feel like there weren't as many hard-core fans as normal. But up front, you always get the crazies.
So I got there just as Aqueduct was starting. This is really one of the best live acts out there. They're fun and energetic. Unfortunately, the only times I've seem them is as openers, so the sets are much shorter than what I want.
They played a good mix of old songs and some off an upcoming LP. The new songs sounded pretty good, but nothing really hooked me like the old stuff. I guess we'll have a real verdict in a few months when the new album comes out.
After that, Rogue Wave put on another solid show. Dressed all in white, I think they are starting to move toward larger indie-rock status. At least large enough to worry about their wardrobes.
The interesting thing about Rogue Wave is that they make some pretty significant changes to their songs when playing them live. If you're a fan and know the music, I think this is a pretty big plus, but my guess is that for newcomers, it isn't that great. The album versions are simply better songs. But we see live shows for the things that aren't on the album, so that's why I like the changes.
As a minor note, Annie got them to play a Buddy Holly cover. I wish they would have player March, which is a great song that was on a Comes with a Smile disk.
Arab Strap
Last week I was hanging out in the Haight with Ben. We bought some books, I got my hair cut, he looked at my ass while I tried on jeans, and we saw a free show at Amoeba.
The show was Arab Strap. In case you don't know what an arab strap is, check out the Wikipedia.
Anyway, I hadn't heard much of their music before the show, so I was open to what they had. It was pretty mellow stuff. It wasn't exactly what I typically like in a live show, but it was nice for a lazy afternoon.
The show was Arab Strap. In case you don't know what an arab strap is, check out the Wikipedia.
Anyway, I hadn't heard much of their music before the show, so I was open to what they had. It was pretty mellow stuff. It wasn't exactly what I typically like in a live show, but it was nice for a lazy afternoon.
26 March 2006
You Look Like David Bowie
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.
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
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.
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.
15 March 2006
I Love You Jon!
Originally uploaded by ryanfoley.
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.
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