LA / LBC / OC
Long Beach’s Magic Lantern have finally gone and released a new sonic document after what seemed like an eternity of waiting. Eagerly anticipated by those who have been biding their time waiting for the band to get on with their uber limited cassette only and CD-R releases (their Self-Titled CD-R was limited to 30), “High Beams”, the band’s latest opus [...]
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Last night I dragged Scott out to the Troubadour to check out Vampire Weekend and Grand Ole Party for one of ASCAP’s sponsored nights. We got there with just enough time to grab a drink before Vampire Weekend went on (I still can’t get over that the Troub charges $6 for a Bud these days). I have been listening to Vampire Weekend’s self-titled debut for a week straight now, that and Against Me!’s new album, and I have really been digging it, regardless of how clear it is they are aping of Paul Simon, Sting, and Peter Gabriel.
We were really surprised how many people were there to see Vampire Weekend, which was even more evident as most of those people cleared out after the band finished and the Delta Spirit crowd moved in before Grand Ole Party’s set. Vampire Weekend are young. Really young. I heard the crowd around me wondering aloud if they were on tour during their summer break from college. Their set was tight, though it was lacking in presence, but that could be chocked up to experience. And here’s a tip: singer guy – make eye contact with those in the front rows…stop looking over them to the people in the back and at the bar, and keyboard dude – let’s show a little enthusiasm, you looked like you rather be at home playing Everquest. All in all I thought they were pretty good, Scott wasn’t as pumped on them, he couldn’t get over how much they were trying to do the Paul Simon thing, and I think it irked him that probably 90% of the audience there were completely unaware of who Paul Simon is.
Up next were San Diego’s Grand Ole Party, who were actually the act that I was most excited for. You see, I’m a huge dork for this band, I even went so far as to download a program that records streaming audio just so I could make mp3s out of the streams of the 94.9 live performance and the songs on their MySpace to put on my iPod. Their set included everything that you’ve might have heard if you are like me and have searched out all their live videos on YouTube, their 5 song set from the Pyle Sessions on 94.9 and everything on their MySpace page. They did play a couple songs I haven’t heard before, but can only assume they will be on the album, as Blake from Rilo Kiley who produced their album was rocking out to the everything, nodding along and giving the occasional fist pump here and there. Funny thing, Blake was there with Toby Maguire, who I didn’t even recognize and wouldn’t have even noticed if it weren’t for Scott catching it as we left and walked across the crosswalk with them. Anyways, GOP were great, Kristin’s vocals were awsome and it is here that I will echo everyone’s thoughts in the room and probably most of you who have seen the band live before; “Kristin, you have to get out from behind that drum kit”. If there is one thing I can see holding this band back, it is that they they don’t have a bonafide front person, which could easily be remedied if Kristin were to ditch the drums and get out in front.
We didn’t stay for Delta Spirit, as I wanted to get back home to Long Beach at a reasonable time so I could still get up early and run in the morning.
Download Grand Ole Party’s “I N S A N E” (mp3)
[audio:gop_insane.mp3]
and Vampire Weekend’s “Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa” (mp3) which I picked up on 7″ from the band.
[audio:http://www.vampireweekend.com/CapeCodKwassaKwassaAugust30.mp3]
Vampire Weekend play again tonight at the Silverlake Lounge and Grand Ole Party are opening for the Shout Out Louds at The El Rey on Thursday.