Pinback at El Rey (1/17/13)

I walked out of the El Rey theatre Thursday night (Jan. 17th) realizing that there is a good reason that Pinback is my very favorite band. And they proved it without question at this show. This was the thirteenth time I've seen them and I think it was the very best of all. Since 2005, when I first heard the song "Fortress" and they almost immediately became my favorite band, no one has been able to knock them from that position. I had worried if I might ever see them perform live, though in the prodigious writings I found about them, there seemed to be a general opinion that their live shows were a bit sloppy and never came very close to what they sound like on record.

I listened to a few recordings of their early shows and I realized I would need to temper my anticipation and see their live act as a different version of their sound with all the music played faster than the recorded versions. They were still touring on the strength of the Summer in Abaddon album when I first saw them at the Avalon on May 30, 2006. They had assembled a traveling band that emulated their sound reasonably well, and though the songs were all played very fast, I was still awed by the musicianship of Rob Crow's guitar and vocals and Zach Smith's wizardry on the bass.

By the time of the release of their next great album, Autumn of the Seraphs in 2007, they looped in and around town a number of times as they toured twice for promotion. I attended the first public performance on that tour on July 28, 2007 at The Grove in Anaheim, got the album signed by both Rob and Zach at the September Amoeba Music in-store they held, went to see them at The Wiltern, saw a Christmas program they were part of that year at Avalon and when they came back and played Avalon again on Rob's birthday, Feb. 21, 2008.

They pull musicians from other San Diego bands like Kenseth Thibideau and members of Jade Shader, generally maintaining their 'live' performance sound which I saw a few more times. Then in 2010 something cropped up called Pinback presents the Rob and Zach Show for which I was lucky enough to attend the first show down at the Detroit Bar. This was just Rob and Zach on guitar and bass, with a bank of recording and looping devices allowing them to control all the different layers of the music themselves thereby recreating their recorded sound to a surprising degree. Unfortunately for subsequent fans, they had to end that tour a few nights later when Zach's wife had their first baby a little ahead of schedule and he scurried home.

Throughout these years, I went to see all their many offshoot projects like Goblin Cock, Three Mile Pilot, Optiganally Yours and Rob Crow's solo career, and as these were often in smaller venues like Spaceland or The Echo, I was able to meet them and actually have some conversations with them. It has meant a lot to me to be able to express to artists I admire, just how much their music means to me even though I have probably come off as a tongue-tied clod on occasion.

So, naturally I was surprised when the curtains parted at El Rey on Pinback last Thursday and it was just Rob and Zach and their regular touring drummer, Chris Prescott, on stage. After a false start which shorted out Smith's bass, up came a most unusual song to lead with, "Victorius d" from the 2003 EP Offcell. The song is mostly Zach and showed off his vastly improved vocal skills as well as his virtuoso bass plucking. He also impressed with his keyboard (above).

Moving on to probably my favorite song from their new album, "True North" (which I felt certain they would not perform since it is their first song to require a string section), a string section magically appeared at the back of the stage in the form of two musicians from opening band Judgement Day. Pinback with strings is really something to hear! Not only is the song an amazingly complex construction but when accompanied by the strings which are alternately sawing away or adding a slow steady background I was already near tears at the sheer beauty of what I was hearing. These are the rarest of concert moments when the feeling of ecstasy overwhelms and the world seem to come to a standstill.

The songs soared, and our spirits soared right along with them. It was like the culmination of everything I love about this band all there on display, right in front of you. Their music is so calming and reassuring to me that by now whenever I hear even one note of their music, I am overtaken by a wave of calm and peace. Or maybe it was the sweet, strong scent of marijuana that was as heavy as I've ever experienced at El Rey. It altered reality. Rob Crow was in fine form as he swigged heartily from a never ending supply of beer, but never losing the slightest sharpness in his playing and singing. Even after he tumbled out into the audience for a little surfing (below), he still missed not one note.

They have one of the strongest song catalogs to pull from so the set had no low points. Every song was a masterful demonstration of why they are so good at what they do. Regular favorites like "Fortress", "Sender", "Penelope" and "From Nothing To Nowhere" sounded sharper and better than ever with the clearest back and forth vocals I've ever heard from them live.

They even played unexpected slower songs which they never do live and the result was so close to the recordings that sometimes I thought I was hearing a different band interpret their music. "Loro", "Good To Sea" and "Boo" were gorgeous played at the correct tempo. But for all the classics I'll have to admit my favorite songs were the new songs.

I now may view Information Retrieved as the best Pinback album yet and many of the songs sounded even better in their live versions. The above mentioned, "True North", as well as "Glide" (and its great rear projections, above), "Proceed To Memory", "A Request" "Sherman", the beautiful "Diminished", all were carefully and faithfully reproduced with the added pleasure of seeing them enjoy themselves so much. And this all took place the night after another great El Rey show with Calexico, which I reviewed and posted at Radio Free Silver Lake.

whrabbit

Daniel Ahearn and the Jones and Auditorium at Los Globos (1/15/13)

Hitting the concert trail again Tuesday I bundled up and headed out to the Sunset bus and, just like Monday, rode out to Sunset and Parkman, this time to go to the caverous, cold (freezing really) Los Globos to hear some good music. But this show was upstairs, where I have never been and it was actually quite cozy. It's low ceiling and wide audience space reminded me of the old Hollywood Knitting Factory (which I still miss), but it's character as a bar room did make for some pretty distracting background chatter.

Nevertheless, Daniel Ahearn and the Jones (at right) wooed the audience with a startling collection of tunes that ranged from simple folk tunes to majestically complex compositions that actually reminded me of Arcade Fire. Mindy Jones has a finely tunes vocal instrument that sounds pitch-perfect as she either weaves intricate harmonies or lets loose with a belting lead. Daniel Ahearn really impressed me when I first heard this band at The Echo last February when they opened for Breathe Owl Breathe (a wonderful show!), and I noticed the similarity of timbre and tone to the voice of Joey Burns of Calexico. In an interesting coincidence I saw Calexico the following night (Wednesday) and I'll review that tomorrow (or soon).

Daniel had sent me the link to their latest song, "Make It Right" and it gave me a hint of what I was to hear from the stage that night, but I was unprepared for just how good it was. This is real quality stuff and I advise checking it out. They are playing next week on Thursday at The Echo.

Auditorium appeared whthout two of their regular singers, but it was an opportunity to enjoy Spencer Berger's vocals without any of the solid backup he usually gets. And he has such a strong vocal personality that it was a pleasure to hear the songs in such unadulterated renditions. One had to be impressed at the songwriting skills that make the music just bounce along, becoming unforgettable in the process.

When last I saw the band at The Satellite the sound mix had been a little off, with Berger's vocals overpowering the rest of the band and altering the delicate vocal harmonies. Here Spencer sounded just right, in perfect balance with the rest of the performers. It was just a little show that came up out of the blue and it made for a very enjoyable night out.

whrabbit 

Monday at Silver Lake Lounge with Omar Velasco (1/14/13)

This cold weather was really getting me down. I mean, what did I go to all the trouble of moving to Southern California     from the Northeast 34 years ago for anyway? I didn't expect to be followed by global warming way back then. I expected to be surfing in January. Of course, flat-earthers think global warming is a left-wing, socialist plot, but the future will put them in their appropriate place.

But, changing weather patterns aside, I'm damned sick of this freakish weather, so I decided to just ignore it and go out on Monday evening (Jan 14). I've really been laying low for a few weeks and that begins to get me quite antsy these days.

I found out that Omar Velasco was playing a set at Silver Lake Lounge and since he had played my very first Feed Your Head shows at Lot 1 back in Sept 2011, and I hadn't seen him since, I felt it was time to catch up again. At the Silver Lake Lounge, it was as cold inside as it was outside, but a small crowd gathered during the set and warmed the room up nicely. Even though it was only 8:15 in the evening.

As I had only seen him perform solo in the past, I was happy to see him play with a musician on upright bass and a drummer forming an almost jazz-like combo with Omar's silken vocals taking on a crooner quality. All new songs formed the six song set and each one was an interesting variation of his clear style. The musical assist added new dimensions, resembling his recorded work on his EP, See Lion Run.

As I'm trying to take in a show every night this week, I only stayed long enough to greet Omar and invite him to play one of my future Lot 1 nights, and duck out. I can not allow this cold I have to turn into the dreaded flu. I plan on catching Daniel Ahearn and the Jones and Auditorium at Los Globos on Tuesday (Jan 15), and have tickets for Calexico on Wednesday and Pinback on Thursday, both at El Rey. It felt really good to get back out there.

whrabbit

Start 2013 with Feed Your Head at Lot 1 this Saturday

It's that time again folks as I continue to get my bearings as a show presenter. Now that I've been doing it for 17 months, I hope to increase the number of shows I do each year until it becomes second nature. (How do you do it, Bronson!)

Anyway, here's the flyer:

I'm happy to be presenting the newest project of Eli and Mary Chartkoff of The Monolators called Dawn of Sequins, which I have seen once before and I must say "is worthy of their name", and they play at midnight. A band by any other name would be The Brothers Zmed and they're the 11 o'clock set. Two other artists are making return engagements to this Feed Your Head show are Jonny Polonsky who was so impressive with his singer/songwriter set last November, and Niilo Smeds, who journeyed all the way from Fresno to play my fourth anniversary show last May.

Don't miss this wonderful show in the warmth of Echo Park on Saturday night.

(By the way, I tried to post this earlier but "Blogger" is denying access for downloading pictures. Until you find out that in HTML you can post them. Here's hoping they fix it soon.)

whrabbit

Feed Your Head again at Lot 1

I'm looking forward to my second December installment of Feed Your Head night at Lot 1 on Tuesday the 18th. I was asked by Azalia Snail and Dan West to host this event starring their new collaboration, LoveyDove (above). Even though I only knew their work as separate artists, I have such high regard for their work as individuals, that I knew this would be something special. And it is. Already garnering positive press, Lovey Dove make music that reminds me of late sixties New York Folk/Art rock with a healthy dose of psychedelic electronica. The demo songs they gave me present melodies with a delightfully unpredictable angularity, highlighted by strong voices and intriguing harmonies. I can't wait to hear them.

One of my favorite discoveries of late is The Sixth Son and they open the show with a set at 9. They were featured at my November show and helped to make that a memorable night. I would describe the music as original and unique. Troubadour, Runson Willis will entertain with his guitar after LoveyDove and poet Brendan Constantine will perform his action poetry between sets. This could prove to be a most interesting show.

whrabbit

Seven Saturdays, Western Lows, Auditorium at The Satellite (12/5/12)

I have seen the future, and it is Seven Saturdays. Seeing them at The Satellite last Wednesday night (Dec. 5), at the BuzzbandsLA show, was like witnessing the birth of a whole new band, complete with womb-like lighting by Rebecca Balin that bathed the whole affair in a bluish, embryonic haze that complimented the music perfectly. Like spending time in a birth canal.

First imagined as musical odysseys from the fevered imagination of Jonathan Haskell, they have had a steady, loyal fan base and when I first saw them two years ago at the Bootleg they impressed me as one of the better ambient, space-age orchestra/band ensembles I'd ever seen. As I was already a big fan of the bands that create sweeping cinematic landscapes like Explosions in the Sky and The Album Leaf, I was a soft target.

But back to this show. I made sure to get there in time to see Auditorium (above), who were the first band of the night. Since I first saw them last March at the Bootleg (at the instigation of Kathryn Pinto who was already a fan), they have become a favorite of mine too. Absolutely flawless and precise vocal harmonies brought to life some fascinating songwriting that covered subjects from the weird to the inspirational, made vivid by sharp, expert pop melodies. Every element is in place and there is no excess fat.

At this performance, Auditorium delivered a robust set that was sonically dynamic, but sacrificed a bit of their vocal precision. The sound mix was marred by a persistent alien screech that cropped up occasionally and Spencer Berger's voice was miked a little toward the overpowering side which diminished the other voices. Don't get me wrong, I go to hear Spencer sing, but one of the beauties of this band is hearing the intricate layering of the harmonies. Maybe I was just standing in the wrong place, but it did emphasize just how important the proper sound balance is to a vocal band, particularly this one.

Even with that it was still an impressive set that was certainly enjoyed by the crowd, many of whom had never seen Auditorium before. Tearing through favorites like "Sex Offender", "Girls Will Like Your Lips", "Rabbit Rabbit" even the beautiful "New York Sky", along with a brand new song, the set was brisk with barely time to breathe between songs. And again, I'm impressed at the ingratiating stage presence of each member of the band. Their shared joy comes through, loud and clear and I'm excited they're working on a new recording.

Jack Burnside, formerly of Mezzanine Owls, has a recent project called Western Lows (at  right)      which brings together Julien Bellin from Polls on drums and Michael Orendy of Frankel on bass and vocals. As the next band, they produced a "shimmering" (Bronson's word), "jangly" (my word) shoe gaze that grew more and more hypnotic and involving as it went along. I fell into their trance.

Sober, droning vocals rested atop a virtual ocean of varied guitar music/noise. I don't know if I've ever seen Michael play bass, but he added a steady gravity to the music and contributed vocal harmonies when needed. I would like to see them again and hear where they're going with this.

I was engaged in conversation at the other end of The Satellite when the club slowly began to fill up with blue fog, emanating from the stage. As a big fan of fog effects (the more fog, the better) it was an auspicious beginning for what was about to begin. The familiar drone that I remembered from the last time I saw them, introduced this new, different Seven Saturdays.

Emerging from the fog, Vanessa Fernandez (above) stepped into the hazy light and her voice sinuously threaded it's way into the musical miasma going on around her. A striking presence, she seems to be swimming in the air as she adds a solid foundation and point of reference for the audience, who otherwise might be overcome by all the gorgeous swirling sound.

As all the material was new, I was happy that the addition of lead vocals provided an accessible point of entry into this other-world, haunting and strange as it is. After a few songs Vanessa relinquished vocal duties to Jim Evens (above) of Helen Stellar, who has a similar command of the stage and is equally expressive with his powerful voice. Both singers know when to hold back and when to let loose.

I was absolutely transfixed, much like the first time I ever saw Helen Stellar or The Stevenson Ranch Davidians or any of the other hypnotic/psychedelic bands I have come to love. Aided by a hallucinatory light show (by Ms. Balin) and a perfect sound mix (and just the right amount of fog) I felt wrapped up in a cocoon from which I was reluctant to leave.

It all added up to an enchanted evening that left me reeling for days. Jonathan Haskell has taken his band to the next step. And I, for one, intend to follow.








whrabbit

Terrific Night at Feed Your Head Night at Lot 1

A big shout of thanks to all the bands and fans who came out on a rainy Saturday night (Dec. 1) to enjoy the variety of this five-band program. Lot 1 started to fill up early with devotees of Downtown/Union who were eager to hear more of the high-powered rock this outfit specializes in. Bo Bory (at right) has solidified his lineup to include Andy Bartlett, David Yates (at right) and Jeff Electric, and together they have become a seamless unit. Even before they began their set proper, there was a free-form prelude which included some extraordinary guitar work by Mr. Electric. The band then pounded through some familiar hits in a slightly abbreviated set to allow room for the four other acts. They really threw themselves into the music with a passion and energy that primed the audience for what was to come.

Alpha Beta (at right)were next, and this is a project of Asa Ferry of Kind Hearts and Coronets and Brett Anderson of The Donnas.They're brand new and what we got to witness was an act in formation and it was kind of thrilling. Odd and distinctive vocal harmonies seem to be an aim of the music and with these two fine voices one sees what they wish to achieve. Straightforward folk songwriting is played on a single guitar by Asa while Brett adds occasional tambourine accents. I thinks they should be watched.

With a set full of new music, The Hectors (above)) sounded great, with the banshee wails of Corinne Dinner front and center in a way not heard before. Close to releasing a new album, they are getting the songs ready for live presentation and hope to get the record out early next year. A twinkly, jangling guitar shimmer has crept into their music and it adds a lightness to the propulsive rock that has always been a hallmark. I loved it when Corinne bowed her guitar (at right). Nice touch.

Summerwintersummerfall was the pseudonym used for Seasons (the secret got out) that night and this was the second Lot 1 show of mine that they have headlined and honored I am. Eight musicians filled the performance space and filled the room with their sparkling tunes. With the line up changes of the last year or so firmly in place, their sound has become complete. Not that it wasn't before, but it seems to be more sure of itself while the individual contribution of each and every member can be heard and appreciated. As always, the songwriting is fresh and original and has yet to sound repetitive, even though I've been listening to them for five years now.

Moving into the wee hours of the morning, we pushed the boundaries a bit, (Thank you Lot 1 for your understanding) with the set by Alright Alright (at left) and below) that was so good, it lifted me to new heights...and at that hour (1 AM). Michael Sweeney's band is an amazing combination of talented musicians and the music, so affecting that you don't want them to stop...ever. Charismatic and a bit theatrical, it was a star-making performance. And with good reason. They're playing around town a lot lately, including a night at The Echo last week and a set at Silver Lake Lounge tomorrow (Thursday, Dec 5) at 10 PM.

And you can really tell they love what they're doing, they throw themselves into it with such enthusiasm. Alright Alright is a combination of cabaret-folk-indie-circus music that reminded me of bands like DeVotchKa or Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, not so much in musical style, but in the enveloping environment they create. Don't miss this band if you want to see a band that deserves much more attention.

Thanks again everyone for packing the place, it was a great night.

whrabbit (photos too)