The Fratellis at the Troubadour

It was ironic that after just coming back from the U.K. that four British bands would be playing on a Monday night in Los Angeles. The options included Amy Winehouse at the Roxy, Bloc Party at the Wiltern, The Horrors at the Echo, and The Fratellis/The Pipettes at the Troubadour. I opted for The Fratellis/The Pipettes. I had seen adverts all over the underground promoting The Fratellis album Costello Music. La Rocca opened the festivities with their Irish anthems led by Bjorn Baillie rocking out on his Epiphone Casino running thru an Orange Amp. I enjoyed their set and after some research was not surprised that they were on Dangerbird records(home of the Silversun Pickups). If Dangerbird had stock I would probably invest in it due to its recent signing of Sea Wolf and all of its other bands on the roster. I will pick up La Rocca's debut "The Truth" soon. The Pipettes came up next. As the Amateur Chemist, I was impressed by the name The Pipettes as it hit close to home. The Pipettes came up with their '60s inspired Motown girl pop. Some of the songs played were "I Like a Boy in Uniform", "One Night Stand" and "Your Kisses are Wasted On Me". It was interesting to note that Jon Falcone was wearing a Blink-182 shirt to match his Mark Hoppus Fender Bass. If I told you about a band that was featured in an ipod commercial and the lead singer/guitarist had an afro you could answer Wolfmother or The Fratellis and be correct. The Fratellis recently took home the NME award for British Breakthrough Act and are invading the states. John Fratelli did a great job ripping out the riffs on his Fender Telecaster and thru a Hiwatt stack. I also detected a Small Stone phaser that he would use to sprinkle some color on his solos. It was a straight ahead rock show with little to no banter in between songs. When John did talk though, it was a thick Scottish accent that was difficult to decipher in the first place. Stand out tracks included "Chelsea Dagger", "Flathead" and "Henrietta". I think they might have been a little road weary from the blitzkrieg of South by Southwest but I am still looking forward to their shows opening for Black Rebel Motorcycle Club in May.