Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton (Cafe du Nord, 22 September 2006)

The last time I saw Emily Haines at Cafe du Nord, she was playing solo and was guided with a rope and a blindfold. Now, Emily has two other members in her solo side project and a whole slew of songs from her beautiful album Knives Don't Have Your Back.

Emily is so upbeat and crazy during her Metric shows that seeing her do slower songs is a welcome change. It just shows a different side of her. And she still looks damn hot doing it.

With various film shorts projected in the background, Emily played a good majority of her album. She opened up with "Our Hell" which is the first song from her album. The bass was a welcome to this song, but the sound system at the du Nord didn't necessarily cooperate with that. Her single, "The Lottery" was beautifully played with her voice singing each lyric delicately. Emily would chat with the audience every now and then, saying that the guys from Metric completely approved of her solo side project, lest there be any doubters out there.

It was just a nice, relaxing night of music. Nothing too exciting or complicated. Just simple.

Beer Rating:

Belle & Sebastian Live Recording

I nearly fell off my chair just finding this awesome recording of the Belle & Sebastian show at the Hollywood Bowl with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. You can find the mp3s HERE.

Highlights include "Your Cover's Blown" at 3:40. At this point, I was chasing Stuart. You can hear the audience say, "crazy fan." Yup. They were referring to me.

Another one is the big orchestra crescendo during "Don't Leave the Light On Baby."

Ahhh...memories.

Ima Robot (16 September 2006)

I've never seen Ima Robot before. And I heard a ton of great things about them from friends who have seen them many times before. The consensus, for the most part, is that they put on a very active show, full of crazy antics. In other words, they have great stage presence.

After missing them a couple of times at Popscene, I dared not miss them this time around. Much to my dismay, they are playing Mezzanine. It's not a bad venue, but if it gets pretty packed, it's hard to see anything going on.

I thought this show sold out a while ago, since I couldn't buy tickets on TicketWeb, but after getting into the venue, the place wasn't even close to capacity. We got there early in anticipation of that, but instead my friend and I just hung out at the back while Tempo No Tempo and Persephone's Bees played. They sounded alright, but we'd rather chew the fat than watch these guys.

Ima Robot came on around 12:30am. Didn't seem that long, but having a couple of drinks and talking about random things (world domination, other parties to go to, etc.) definitely helped. Alex Ebert, Ima Robot's lead singer, came out wearing white M.C. Hammer pants! You don't know what those are? Will this help?



Well, it isn't white, but you get the picture. Ridiculous! And let's not get into what the bass player was wearing...

They opened up their set with the first three songs from their debut L.P. "Dynomite" was just a shot of energy from the get-go. "Song #1" (not to be confused with Blur's Song 2), was also another hit of fun. At this very early point, people in the middle of the floor were just having spaz attacks. "Alive" was great as well, with people jumping around at the chorus.

To the extent peole knew them, the new songs also translated well live. "Creeps Me Out" was a very danceable tune. Ebert's rapping abilities truly appeared in this song. The lyrics are pretty clever too. I guess some guys can relate to this. Another favourite of mine from Monument to the Masses is "Eskimo Ride." I don't understand what this song is (my friend said it's about the zeitgeist mentality?) but I could care less because I was getting hyper for this song.

Absolute highlight is when Ima Robot played "Black Jettas." We went to the middle of the Ima Robot dancing circle and yelled out "Ex girlfriends! Black Jettas!" Yeah, it was fun.

Overall, great show. The only setback is they didn't play "Disconnect." Which would have made this set so much better.

Beer Rating: 1/2

New Shows Added

October:

1: Sonic Youth @ The Fillmore
11: The Pogues @ The Fillmore
12: The Pogues @ The Fillmore
13: The Long Winters, What Made Milwaukee Famous @ Cafe du Nord
25: Gomez, Matt Pond PA @ Warfield
28: Figurines, Citizens Here & Abroad @ Rickshaw Stop

November:

18: Mini Pop @ Bottom of the Hill
25: Les Georges Leningrad @ Bottom of the Hill

December:

3: Imogen Heap @ Warfield

The Song of the Summer

This is the song of the summer: The Rapture's "Get Myself Into It"

Cat Power (GAMH (Late Show), 29 August 2006)

Oh, oh. Last time I saw Cat Power, she was with a full band and she was absolutely flawless. Definitely one of the most perfect shows I've seen in a long time. But now, she is solo and this worries me. When I saw her years ago, she was a complete mess. Barely knew how to play guitar and constantly apologizing to the crowd.

Well, this time, Chan wasn't so crazy. But she was still her eclectic self. When she came on, she was seated with her electric guitar. She asked the crowd if we would all sit down so everyone can see. So we did, and it was just ridiculously uncomfortable. I was sitting down like a pretzel. Evena contortionist wouldn't feel comfortable the way I was sitting.

Now, I wasn't too familiar with her songs other than what's on The Greatest and The Covers Album, but it wouldn't have mattered. She played the chords to one song, but then sang another. Even Cat Power fans were confused on which song she was singing. She was even doing a cover of a White Stripes song and I got confused on how that showed up all of a sudden.

People finally stood up from their aching positions and Chan played some more. Someone asked her if she still drinks, and she said she only does it once a month. I didn't know she had an alcohol problem. I guess that's why she gets all crazy on stage? I don't know, just a theory.

She came on at around 11:30 and she was still playing some more come 1 a.m. At that point, me and a lot of others in attendance, left.

What the show lacked in stage presence was redeemed when we were watching this guy try to pick up on this girl. The girl totally took advantage of him (getting 2 drinks) but he lost out. He did get her digits, but are they legit? Good luck dude. Besides, the girl was skank-a-licious so I don't even know why you tried.

Beer Rating:

The Format (Slim's, 28 August 2006)

I only knew one Format song coming into this show. That song, "Time Bomb" was just a very catch indie pop tune. It was good. And I wanted to know more about these guys, so I checked them out at Slim's.

Maybe I shouldn't have. I went in there and it was an absolute teen fest. Maybe there were some older 1st or 2nd year college kids there too, but it was just too much for me to handle. I felt like I was at the Bait Shop in The OC. I was just waiting for Seth to find out that Summer is dating some other douche bag, or maybe Ryan will catch Marissa snorting coke again in the bathroom. I don't know. Whatever. I was actually hoping either of those events would happen, but it didn't happen.

Instead, I got treated to an MTV $2 bill concert gone bad. All these screaming idiots and their parents that went with them. Ugh. I needed more alcolhol to even enjoy it.

The Format, to their credit, are not bad musicians. They started off with "Dog Problems" and it was pretty good. But then it went downhill from there. I was so annoyed by everything around me that I just left and didn't even wait for "Time Bomb."

Beer Rating:

Fischerspooner (Mezzanine, 26 August 2006)

This is a tad late, but the Fischerspooner show at Mezzanine a couple of weeks ago was just amazing! Fischerpooner were true to form and they put on an elaborate show that kept the sold out (and high paying) crowd entertained from beggining to end.

When I first saw Fischerspooner a couple of years ago at the Fillmore, Casey Spooner was practically lip syncing the entire set, with no reservations whatsoever. Now, he is actually singing and dancing with a full band. Costumes and all.

Although there was no large fan or him dressed up in his skivvies like at the Fillmore show, he did put on a fantastic show full of dancing. Here's a video I found on YouTube:



A little shaky, but you get the point.

All the hits from Odyssey and #1 were played. Including favourites "Emerge," "The 15th" and "We Need a War". At one point, he played "Emerge" but changed it to another song. This was just an elaborate set up obviously because they did play that song at the end. Baloons were released from the roof and all this confetti was flying all over. There was crowd surfing from the band too.

Fantastic!

Beer Rating:

The Killers (Popscene, 24 August 2006)

Popscene. 10 years. Damn. I don't know whether I should be happy for this long running Indie/Britpop venue or be absolutely sickened since I've been attending this thing for 10 years. Damn. I'm old (but not that old).

10 years. Many memories. I first went to Popscene back in 1996 (!) when it was at the Cat's Cradle (now called the Cat Club). It was so much fun! Listening to Pulp, Blur, Suede, Stone Roses and Oasis out loud and dancing with like minded kids. 10 years later, some things remain the same (music) while a hella lot changes (younger kids, a somewhat uglier clientele, different music). Popscene before attracted a little niche of the music population. Now, it attracts pretty much everyone.

To celebrate its 10th year, Popscene had a big bash with the Killers. An excellent choice, in my opinion. Of course, the reunion of Pulp, Suede or The Smiths would have been more fitting, but The Killers -- I like. The last time I saw the Killers, they were dodging seat cushions. No seat cushions here. Just 300+ people sweating it out.

Spin has photos. Such as this:



And interviews with some in attendance:


Name: Colette Blair
Age: 23
Hometown: Oakland, CA
Occupation: Student
"It's a good change, because they're less Duran Duran like."

Oh, she was referring to how The Killers look like now. Less Duran Duran:



More Bradley from Project Runway:



Of course, I'm in there in my usual pose -- text messaging in the wrong line (far right, look for the white truck and the guy with his head down):



I went hella early, so got in within a reasonable time after they let us common people in (ha!).

I was determined to have fun and nobody is going to get me down. So, I went as close as possible and waited out The Killers. In the meantime, my friends and I were dancing to pass the time.

The Killers came on and they opened up with a new song I think. I'm not sure. But they played "When You Were Young" off their new album Sam's Town. Brandon Flowers started off with come keys and thanking the crowd for coming to the show (this was part of the song I think) and then the guitars launched for that song. I really like the new single, and the live version didn't disappoint. The crowd was energized, and so was I.

Then the classics from Hot Fuss came on. "Somebody Told Me" energized the crowd even more, inciting some to dance and hop around. A rather bland "Smile Like You Mean It" came shortly thereafter. I don't like that song, per se, since it's...well...bland.

New songs galore. I think some song with "Bones" came on. A cover of a David Bowie tune was in there called "When You Rock N Roll With Me" was in there somewhere. Overall, the new songs were good, but it wasn't "Wow!" The new songs sounded like a refined Hot Fuss. One song sounded very much like "Jenny Was a Friend of Mine." Another sounded like a direct rip off of a New Order track.

Then again, when I saw the Killers at Popscene eons ago, I hated them. But they were much better after listening to Hot Fuss more closely. I think the same will go for this album. I at least like 3 songs out of the 6 or 7 they played.

But the old stuff is what people wanted to hear. "Midnight Show" was played at 12:15am. "Jenny Was a Friend of Mine" was a little off. The guitars weren't as strong compared to when I heard it before. "All The Things That I've Done" was in there and it was just great to hear it. "I've got soul, but I'm not a soldier" was chanted. Yes, the lyric is just uber cheese, but I like it. And they ended their boisterous set with my personal favourite, "Mr. Brightside." Yes, the theme song to my life. Actually, everyone's life really.

I stayed a little longer post-show. Danced a bit. Then left at 2am. A fitting end and a fitting way to celebrate 10 years of Popscene. I don't know if I'll be there for the 20th anniversary (shoot me if I am), but for all the love/hate I have with Popscene, the venue always provides memories. Memories of great times with friends. Drunken moments where I would sing "Supersonic" with two random English kids and the Spaths. Some things I'd rather not remember. Lots of things I'd rather not remember. ;-) But I'll remember this one. That's for sure.

Beer Rating:

Photo Credits: The Killers Photos: Dave Keuning for Spin; Bradley Photo: FourFour

Oh No! Oh My! (The Independent, 22 August 2006)

I first heard of Oh No! Oh My! through Brooklyn Vegan and was immediately impressed with the sampling of MP3s they offered for download. I heard the rest of the album and I was pleased. So, what the hell I checked out their show.

Shapes and Sizes opened up. I have never seen a bunch of fuck ups like these guys. Don't get me wrong, I like yelping and dissonance if artfully done. But these guys have no musical talents whatsoever. Finger picking guitars as if they just learned how to play two days ago. Playing the keys as if it was just there to bang on. Singing and harmonizing so off key that dogs will howl in disgust. At least the bass player and drummer had some skills, but the girl and the other guy? No way. And playing the banjo? Look, playing the banjo is all good if done right and in the right time. But, there was no right moment to play the fucking banjo in any of your songs. Alright? Geez. I was pissed that I had to sit through that crap.

A friend said that I should harshly review Shapes and Sizes but make a disclaimer just in case they get better. That way I will save face. Fuck that. They're horrible and I will not change that stance. But, prove me wrong, you know?

Oh No! Oh My!, thank God, finally came on. They started off with "Skip the Foreplay" from their self-titled album. I like that song, and glad they played it. They followed it with "I Have No Sister." After that, everything else was a wash. I think I was still pissed with Shapes and Sizes that I truly didn't appreciate Oh No! Oh My! I was literally falling asleep after the 3rd or 4th song. So, I left.

Don't get me wrong, Oh No! Oh My! are pretty good. They don't have the stage presence that will keep your eyes focused on them. But, their music will keep your ears attentive.

Beer Rating:

More New Shows

October:

8 & 9: The Killers @ The Warfield

November:

11: Riott Festival @ Bill Graham Civic Auditorium featuring:

Metric
Explosions in the Sky
Asobi Seksu
The Wrens
Diplo
Girl Talk
Tokyo Police Club
Clipse
Sage Francis
SA-RA Creative Partners
Saul Williams
Breakestra
RX Bandits
Visionaries
The Presets
Weird Science
Showbread
Busdriver
Fall of Troy

More New Shows Added

August:

22: The Mountain Goats @ Amoeba S.F.

September:

16: Ima Robot @ Mezzanine

October:

7: Futureheads @ Mezzanine

November:

18: The Slits @ Mezzanine

New Shows Added

August:

24: The Killers @ Popscene
31: The Otherside @ Cafe du Nord

September:

20: Guns N Roses @ The Warfield
21: Guns N Roses @ The Warfield
29: Drunk Horse @ Rickshaw Stop

October:

5: The Stills @ The Independent
5: Billy Bragg @ GAMH (late show)
13: Kasabian @ The Independent
20: The Dresden Dolls @ Bimbo's
21: The Dresden Dolls @ Bimbo's
23: Cursive, The Thermals & Chin Up Chin Up @ The Fillmore
24: She Wants Revenge & Placebo @ The Warfield

November:

21: Mates of State @ GAMH
22: Mates of State @ GAMH

Secret Band for Popscene Party

I think it's pretty damn obvious who Popscene's secret band is.

Don't you?

If you don't know....



....it's the Killers.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs (McCarren Pool, Brooklyn, NY 12 August 2006)

New Yorkers have this term called "summering." It's like "simmering", given that New York summers tend to be hot and humid, but there is also certain non-essential factors involved in that term. For Brooklynites living in Williamsburg, it involves wearing hipster clothes, a bottle of rosé, oversized sunglasses, shorts that are either (a) American Apparel or (b) altered from a pair of old jeans and, of course, either (a) cool hair or (b) one of those communist hats that Castro would wear.

In 2006, another factor was added to the term "summering" for Brooklynites: a concert at McCarren Pool.

McCarren Pool is, obviously, in McCarren Park. It's nothing but an abandoned pool that looks like shit. However, the place has a certain charm to it. Given the amount of people in there and the festive mood.

And it was fairly obvious that a majority of people there were "summering" even before the show. I know I was at P.S. 1.

The YYYs and Sonic Youth were the next installment in this summer concert series at said pool. Unlike the others this is a paying show, which makes sense because it subsidizes the free shows. There was a fair amount of people at McCarren today, basking in the warm NY sun. The temperature, atmosphere and the crowd couldn't have been better.



YYYs came on and they opened up with "Black Tongue." Karen O. was dressed up in her (un)usual dress. Nick is the same as always. And so is that other guy. Oh, and the second guitarist was there too. The YYYs didn't exactly move the crowd much other than getting them to stand up instead of sit down.



A plethora of new songs from the rather "okay" record Show Your Bones was played. My personal favourite, "Cheating Hearts" was great although it didn't quite move me as much as before. "Gold Lion" was also quite good, but it wasn't necessarily groundbreaking by any means.



I think the reason why the YYYs were so "ok" was: (1) I was summering way too long before the show and (2) the fact that they played when the sun was still out detracted from the usual panache that accompanies each YYYs show. I mean, how can one appreciate Karen O's dress and theatrics without the lights colorful lights shining on it? You can't. At least that much.

Beer Rating:

More New Shows Added!!! (Updated 10 August)

August:

29: Cat Power @ GAMH (8:30 p.m.)
29: Cat Power @ GAMH (10:30 p.m.)
31: Razorlight @ Popscene

September:

22: DJ Shadow @ Greek Theatre
28: Silversun Pickups @ Rickshaw Stop
29: Scissor Sisters @ The Warfield
30: Scissor Sisters @ The Warfield
30: Supersystem @ Rickshaw Stop

October:

5: The Dears @ Popscene
12: Lily Allen @ Popscene
16: Badly Drawn Boy @ GAMH
20: Secret Machines @ The Grand
21: Two Gallants @ Bottom of the Hill
22: Two Gallants @ Bottom of the HIll
26: The Kooks @ Popscene

November:

1: MSTRKRFT @ Mezzanine
3: The Knife @ Mezzanine
10: The Beautiful South @ The Fillmore
14: Lady Sovereign @ Mezzanine

New Shows Added

Very excited for this one:

November:

3: The Knife @ Mezzanine

It's on sale now. So, go buy it!

---------------------

Another addition:

October:

20: Secret Machines @ Grand Ballroom

New Shows Added

August:

4: Club Loaded @ Rickshaw Stop
25: Fischerspooner @ Mezzanine

September:

6: Cocorosie @ GAMH
8: Feist @ The Fillmore
13: Adam Green @ The Independent
28: Mojave 3 @ Slim's

October:

2: We Are Scientists and Art Brut @ The Fillmore
7: Magnolia Electric Co. @ GAMH
8: Keane and Midlake @ Berkeley Greek Theatre
10: Sufjan Stevens @ Zellerbach Hall
13: Clap Your Hands Say Yeah @ The Warfield
17: The Hold Steady @ GAMH
18: Boris @ Slim's
19: The Decemberists @ The Warfield
19: Yo La Tengo @ The Fillmore
20: Yo La Tengo @ The Fillmore
21: Yo La Tengo @ The Fillmore
30: Tricky @ The Independent
31: Tricky @ The Independent

November:

21: Hot Chip @ Mezzanine

New Shows Added (Updated 29 July 2006)

August:

30: Jeremy Enigk @ GAMH

September:

1: Sparta, Silversun Pickups and Communique @ Popscene
14: Tortoise @ GAMH

October:

2: Art Brut and We Are Scientists @ The Fillmore
11: Calla, Longwave @ Slim's
19: The Decemberists @ The Warfield
20: Detroit Cobras @ Bottom of the Hill
24: Be Your Own Pet @ Bottom of the Hill
27: ESG @ Mezzanine
30: Bonnie Prince Billy @ GAMH
31: Bonnie Prince Billy @ GAMH

November:

4: Voxtrot @ Slim's
5: Mojave 3 @ Bimbo's
18: TV On the Radio, Kiss Me Deadly @ Slim's

More B&S Hollywood Bowl Photos

I found these pics of me dancing with Stuart on Flickr. Thanks to spartus for taking these shots!



Me asking my friends to take a picture of me!



Is that Stuart?



Looks like I'm slapping him.



I think we were conversing at this point.



Thanks for dancing!

Camera Obscura (GAMH, 20 July 2006)

I walked into the Great American Music Hall just in time to catch Camera Obscura play their first song. I forgot what that first song was (probably something off of their new album Let's Get Out of This Country) but it was apparent that this was going to be a good show. The band's insturmentation complimented Tracyanne Campbell's angelic voice almost instantly. It also helps that the GAMH's mixing desk was in top form tonight.

Songs from the new album dominated the set. Definite highlights was the upbeat Lloyd Cole inspired song "Lloyd, I'm Ready to Be Heartbroken" and the dancey, with that Green Day sounding opening bass, song "If Looks Could Kill." The 60's infused pop sound was just all over these songs and the crowd danced in their own little, confined space way. The live versions of these songs was a little bit more rough than the album (obviously) but it was still very enjoyable. Synchronized clapping happened during "I Need All the Friends I Can Get," again with its 60's pop sounding guitar.

Older songs from Underachievers Please Try Harder include the slow and pretty "Suspended from Class" and "Keep it Clean." The crowd also got a kick when the band ended their encore with the Stuart Murdoch produced "Eightie's Fan" from Biggest Bluest Hi-Fi. Lyrics like "tell me, do you wash your hair with honeydew?" just makes this song ooze with tweeness.

Just twee. Twee all over the place. Everyone was twee. Even the tough looking Camera Obscura members looked way too twee. It was just twee-tastic.

Beer Rating: 1/2

New Shows Added

July:

28: Rademacher @ Hotel Utah

August:

6: Peaches & The Herms w/ Eagles of Death Metal @ Fillmore
8: Jason Lytle (Grandaddy) @ Cafe du Nord
9: Jason Lytle (Grandaddy) @ Cafe du Nord

September:

9: Cold War Kids @ Cafe du Nord
22: Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton @ Cafe du Nord
30: Birdmonster @ Cafe du Nord

October:

12: The National @ GAMH
19: The Decemberists @ The Warfield
28: Devo @ Bill Graham Civic Auditorium

November:

11: Wolf Eyes @ Bottom of the Hill

New Shows Added

August

5: Peaches w/ Eagles of Death Metal @ The Fillmore

September

4: The Brian Jonestown Massacre w/ The Tyde @ The Independent
5: The Brian Jonestown Massacre w/ The Tyde @ The Independent
18: Ratatat @ Great American Music Hall
23: Phoenix @ Slim's
28: Starsailor @ Great American Music Hall

October

4: Band of Horses @ The Fillmore
20: Beirut @ Great American Music Hall

November

9: Islands @ Great American Music Hall

Belle & Sebastian w/ the L.A. Philharmonic; The Shins (Hollywood Bowl, 6 July 2006)

I just saw the best Radiohead show ever. Now I saw the best Belle & Sebastian show ever.

Belle & Sebastian were something else at the Hollywood Bowl. Accompanied by the full L.A. Philharmonic Orchestra, B&S shined like no other band I've ever seen at the Hollywood Bowl. Every single minute of that show was special. Not only because of the orchestra, but because the band was in great spirits and Stuart was as interactive as ever.

I bought these tickets ages ago and secured a prime spot in the Garden Boxes. Possibly the best seats I've ever obtained through Ticketmaster for the Hollywood Bowl. They were ridiculously expensive, but every moment there was worth every penny.

My friends and I arrived a few minutes before the Shins came on. We just took in the sights of the Bowl and admired where we were sitting. We were also nibbling on our Whole Foods snacks.

The Shins were good, but my attention was somewhere else. I wanted to see B&S and how they their songs would translate with the L.A. Phil. The Shins played some of their great songs, like, you know, that song that was in Garden State. I like the Shins, and they were entertaining. They made remarks about "dinner theatre" and how this is their first, and not their last, Hollywood Bowl show. The crowd liked them as well, with everyone pretty much applauding and laughing along with them.



After the Shins played, the barrier was slowly removed to reveal the huge orchestra set-up. It was similar to the L.A. Phil's set-up with Air at the very same venue a year ago. It was amazing and I was at the edge of my seat.

At around 9pm, the band came on sans Stuart and with a full orchestra. They started off with "Fuck This Shit," a standard B&S opener. Although the band alone would have been good enough, the orchestra just added so much more character to the song with the deep sounds of strings accompanying each of Stevie's harmonica play.




Stuart then walked in with his striped shirt and hat. "I Fought in a War" was played with strings and percussion from the L.A. Phil. "Le Pastie de la Bourgeoisie" then followed, with the full orchestra playing.

At this point, everyone was sitting down and Stuart remarked that he hoped everyone would be up and dancing soon. Well, the drunk guy in my section started off early, right from the get go. Yes, he was annoying as all fuck, but at this point, I didn't care. He was just a minor inconvenience. I was fully entrenched in this show.

"The Model" with full orchestra came on next. At this point, I can feel my feet just tapping away and itching to get up and dance. I told my friends that once "Your Cover's Blown" is on, I'm going ape shit.

I took a bathroom break as B&S played "Sukie in the Graveyard." No orchestra for this one, with Stuart describing the story of the song (yeah S.F. Art Institute!) and giving props to the orchestra.

One of the more beautiful songs played was "Don't Leave the Light on Baby." With the full orchestra, it was the most beautiful rendition I've ever heard.

"I'm Waking Up to Us" with full orchestra followed. Then "Jonathan David" was next, with Stuart recruiting the services of a dummy named "Baby Beeyotch" to help them. She was entertaining, but did she really need to give that name. Stuart and Stevie thought it was funny.

"If She Wants Me" and then "Lord Anthony" came on. "Lord Anthony" was just magnificent. At this one, Stuart requested from the audience some mascara (blue preferred) and a dress. I nearly cried at this song. Here's a clip:




After "Dear Catastrophe Waitress" (full orch) and "If You're Feeling Sinister" (strings only) were played, the dance party began with "Your Cover's Blown." With the orchestra playing brass, percussion and strings, it was a lot dancier than your usual version. At this point, I was dancing in the aisle and encouraging my friends to do the same. As Stuart made his way in the pool area, I followed with my digi cam. And then, Stuart stepped out and went towards the audience!


YouTube Credit for "Your Cover's Blown": mschecht

At this point, I freaked out because Stuart was coming my way! I didn't know what to do, except to have my digi cam in my hand and take pics. As Stuart ran up the stairs, I ran up with him and was right behind him throughout the song. I didn't know what I was doing, but I was just doing it on impulse. I was just in such a B&S high that I have no control (or logic) of what I was doing.



Here's how close I was:



Dance! Dance! Dance! "Dirty Dream #2" came on with full orchestra. Unfortunately, during the three lines, Stuart was about to hand the mic to an audience member but the mic didn't work. I clamored for it, but to no avail.

I took a break for "I'm a Cuckoo" since the security guards were urging all of us to return to our seats. Same thing with "The Wrong Girl" and "If You Find Yourself Caught in Love." But when "Sleep the Clock Around" came on, we didn't care and we were filling the aisles and dancing! Dance! Dance! Dance!

Stuart thanked the orchestra and then returned for "The State I Am In."



As the opening tunes of "The Boy With the Arab Strap" came on, it was a full on dance party in the elevated area of the pool. I decided to join in and I was far stage left. I was dancing by myself, and then I turned around and STUART WAS BEHIND ME!! I danced with him for what seemed like an eternity, with all the audience just focused on us. I was amazed and I was just grinning with joy, amusement and bewilderment. I tried to follow his dance moves, but Stuart is a slick dancer.



They ended their set with that. It was amazing. It was surreal. I can't believe how crazy I was during the entire time. My friends had a fantastic time and were throughly amused by my antics and some of theirs. Audience members were giving me props for a job well done. A random girl gave me a hug saying that I was fantastic! Oh, B&S. Something about B&S and L.A. makes me smile.

Beer Rating: O Beer

Band of Horses (The Independent, 1 July 2006)

After seeing Radiohead in L.A. the night before, and seeing all the beautiful people in L.A., how can I go see Band of Horses? It was just an injustice really. But, Band of Horses are excellent, but it's just a shame that I had to see them after Radiohead.

The Independent was sold out tonight. And it was hot in there with all the bodies in the crowd. Opener Mt. Egypt was alright, but I just wanted them to get done so Band of Horses could come on.

Band of Horses was good. Their hits like "Great Salt Lake" and "The First Song" were great. There was just too much reverb though in the songs, as if the sound guy had something to prove. It was just too much. If they did it sparingly, then maybe it would be alright.

They also played a bunch of new songs. They were good, but at this point I was just tired.

But the lead singer's voice was just amazing and you can really see how talented these guys are.

Beer Rating:

Radiohead (Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, 30 June 2006)

I haven't been to the Greek Theatre in L.A. since 2003. That's when I saw Belle & Sebastian and I actually got to sing on stage. Tonight was a little different. I don't have a pit ticket this time. Instead, I was relegated to the far stage left side of the venue, where I can only see Thom, Ed and, on occassion, Jonny and Colin. Forget about Phil. With that in mind, my expectations for this show was low. I mean, how can Radiohead top Berkeley night two?

Well, they didn't. But it was still a good Radiohead show.

Radiohead started off with a bang with "Airbag." The crowd really received the band well in the beginning, and continued to do so throughout their 23 song set. "National Anthem," followed by my favourite "There There" came on next. I love "There There" soooo much. Jonny and Ed doing the drums was just as amazing as always.

"15 Step," and then another magical rendition of "Exit Music (For a Film)" followed. In the beginning part of the song, Thom told someone in the crowd to "shut up" and something like "you're not the one up here." I don't know what the idiot crowd person said, but I got a laugh at Thom's reaction. It didn't ruin the song one bit.

Skipping a few songs, "Videotape" followed. This is, hands down, my favourite new Radiohead song. I guess the other favourites include "All I Need" and "Down is the New Up" which they also played. The beginning parts of each of these songs is what captures me. Like what Dr. Dre said, "the first 15 seconds of the song are critical to catching people's attention." Indeed, Dr. Dre. Indeed.

There wasn't really any surprises in their set list unlike the Berkeley shows. I guess them ending with "Bones" was a surprise. It was a rather awkward ending, but I like hearing songs off The Bends.

I think it was somewhere shortly before or after this song that I saw Marilyn Manson walk into the pit area from my vantage point above. Weird.

"Paranoid Android" was the last song they played in the second encore. "True Love Waits" followed with the usual closing song "Everything in Its Right Place" followed. I didn't want them to play "House of Cards," but they did much to my dismay.

Overall, it wasn't a bad Radiohead show. But I wanted more surprises like the Saturday Berkeley show. But still, well worth the trip down south to see these guys.


Beer Rating:

Cold War Kids (The Independent, 27 June 2006)

I was so impressed with the Cold War Kids when I saw them open up for Tapes n' Tapes a couple of weeks ago that I had to see them again. This time, they supported Apollo Sunshine at the Independent. Unlike their Cafe du Nord show, there was a lot more people there and the venue was a lot bigger. But that didn't detract from how great these guys were on stage.

Like last time, the Kids played all their songs with a lot of soul, feeling and spunk. Also, like last time, my favourite songs were "Hang Me Up to Dry" and "Hospital Beds." There were a few songs in there that I didn't recognize, but they were quite good as well.

And what's with the San Pellegrino bottle? That's probably one of the most understate music instrument these guys use. And I'm not being sarcastic either.

I urge you all to check this band out if you haven't done so. If you want to give these guys a listen, click:

Here
Here

Beer Rating: 1/2

New Shows Added

July:

14: Bardot a Go-Go @ Rickshaw Stop
22: Album Leaf @ Cafe du Nord

August:

22: Oh No!! Oh My!! @ The Independent

September:

2: Deerhoof @ GAMH
2: Citizens Here & Abroad @ Bottom of the Hill
10: Silver Jews @ Mezzanine
26: Junior Boys @ Bottom of the Hill
30: Lambchop @ GAMH

October:

5: Adult. @ Mezzanine
9: The Bluetones @ Cafe du Nord

November:

7: Pet Shop Boys @ Bill Graham Civic Auditorium