Cold War Kids (GAMH, 23 February 2007)

I still don't know sometimes how "indie" bands these days get so much publicity and sell out shows. Before, it was all about radio airplay. Now, it's about blogs, word of mouth, MySpace and Pitchfork to make you famous. Take the Cold War Kids for example. An awesome band of four from Los Angeles whose soulful songs and rather amusing live show who were relatively "small" just a few months ago and now have sold out GAMH.

I first saw Cold War Kids open up for Tapes 'n Tapes at Cafe du Nord last June (review). I was really surprised of how great they were, and I even thought that they were better than Tapes 'n Tapes. Like most bands that come through this city, the more popular you get, the more likely you'll play a bigger venue. So, Cold War Kids played the Independent when they opened up for Apollo Sunshine, of all bands (review). Now, they're selling out their own headlining shows.

GAMH was packed and the crowd was really into Cold War Kids as well as opener, Delta Spirit. Cold War Kids played the usual songs off their LP, with classics like "Hang Me Up to Dry," "Hospital Bed," "We Used To Vacation" and "Saint John" getting the most reaction. They even did a cover of a John Lennon song, which totally escapes me at the moment.

As usual, Cold War Kids were energetic on-stage. They were even more so when the rest of Delta Spirit joined them for three songs, with the Delta Spirit guys just banging every percussion instrument imaginable.

And I think the best line of all is when the lead singer said, "San Francisco is our favorite Western city. Just don't tell that to L.A."

Take that L.A.!!

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