Check out my photos at the KROQ Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine over at OC Weekly. My review of the show is here.
Showing posts with label The Airborne Toxic Event. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Airborne Toxic Event. Show all posts
Monday, May 18, 2009
KROQ Weenie Roast at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
Check out my photos at the KROQ Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine over at OC Weekly. My review of the show is here.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
The Airborne Toxic Event and The Fratellis at the House of Blues Anaheim
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
The Airborne Toxic Event at Fingerprints Records
I first documented The Airborne Toxic Event back in November of 2007 when they played a stunning set during their residency at the Detroit Bar. The band is now breaking out into the national mainstream with the help of their infectious tune "Sometime Around Midnight" as many national alternative rock/radio stations have added the song into major rotation. They had played on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eccletic earlier in the day and were gearing up for their sold out show at the El Rey. The Airborne Toxic Event celebrated the release of their debut full length album with a captivating acoustic performace at Fingerprints records.
I had flashbacks of seeing the Silversun Pickups at Fingerprints records after watching The Airborne Toxic Event. I got the feeling that I probably wouldn't get the opportunity to watch the band up this close in the acoustic format ever again. There was an electricity to the evening as everyone knew they were watching something special.
"Gasoline" was explosive as Anna Fullbrook (Violin) carved out the catchy violin line backed by the upright dancing bass line by Noah Harmon (Bass). Steven Chen (Guitars) and Mikel Jollett (Vocals/Guitars) had dueling acoustic guitars with Mikel employing a capo for a number of songs. Daren Taylor (Drums) knocked out the shuffling drum beat intro to "Missy" as Mikel and Steven jangled away on their acoustic guitars. "The Girls In Their Summer Dresses" was seamlessly adapted in the acoustic format as Mikel jokingly forgot how the song started. A flurry of cameras and cell phones popped into the air to record "Sometime Around Midnight" as the ovation at the end of the song was deafening. The crowd demanded an encore as the band prefaced their rendition of "The Winning Side" by saying they had never performed the song acoustically. The line for autographs nearly went out the front door of Fingerprints as the band graciously took lots of time thanking their fans by signing their newly purchased cd. I will admit it. I got mine signed.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
The Airborne Toxic Event and The Morning Benders at Spaceland
I knew it was going to be packed at Spaceland when I couldn't find a parking spot on the street and the valet parking was full. The Airborne Toxic Event secured a coveted Thursday residency and word continues to spread fast about their engaging live show. I last caught The Airborne Toxic event in November when they played at the Detroit Bar and was impressed.
The Morning Benders
The Morning Benders continue to impress me with their live performances. This was the fourth time I have caught them since originally seeing them at the Viper Room in November. Their songs continue to grow on me and I have been listening to their two EPs "Boarded Doors" and "Loose Change" quite a bit. The Morning Benders started their set with the catchy foot stomping "I Was Wrong". Joe Ferrell (Guitars) was tremelo picking so rapidly he sliced his hand and was bleeding all over his Fender Stratocaster. Joe had an Electro Harmonix Black Finger Compressor in his pedal chain along with a Boss Digital Reverb to compliment Chris Chu's (Vocals/Guitars) Fender Telecaster tones well. The Morning Benders also played "Crosseyed" which is another potential single off their upcoming release "Talking Through Tin Cans". The Morning Benders are the front runners for the most live reviewed band in 2008 as I will see them again with The Kooks at the Troubadour on February 7th and with We Barbarians at the Detroit Bar on February 25th. The Morning Benders did not play their cover of "Ceremony" but did play "A Song" which is the B-side off their 7 inch release of "Waiting For A War".
The Airborne Toxic Event
The Airborne Toxic Event shouldn't be playing Spaceland with the performance they turned in. I envision them playing the Wiltern within a year or so. The soft synth swells of "Wishing Well" echo nicely before the jangling guitars roar in with the violin riding the undercurrent of the sythns. The music soon gives way to Mikel Jollet's commanding voice. "Papillon" is fueled with stabbing guitars and the shout along chorus of "I'm such a mess!". "Gasoline" is fueled by a hypnosis inducing bass line that almost has a punk vibe to the song meshed with clean rapid fire guitars. "Does This Mean You're Moving On?" incited a dance party on stage and featured some tambourine action to coordinate all the stage invaders. Mikel must have been inspired by Joe Ferrell's earlier guitar performance and broke a few guitar strings on his Fender Jaguar and Fender Telecaster. The Airborne Toxic Event are finishing up their debut album and I imagine they won't be unsigned for long as they mysteriously list Sub Pop in their top friends.
The Morning Benders
The Morning Benders continue to impress me with their live performances. This was the fourth time I have caught them since originally seeing them at the Viper Room in November. Their songs continue to grow on me and I have been listening to their two EPs "Boarded Doors" and "Loose Change" quite a bit. The Morning Benders started their set with the catchy foot stomping "I Was Wrong". Joe Ferrell (Guitars) was tremelo picking so rapidly he sliced his hand and was bleeding all over his Fender Stratocaster. Joe had an Electro Harmonix Black Finger Compressor in his pedal chain along with a Boss Digital Reverb to compliment Chris Chu's (Vocals/Guitars) Fender Telecaster tones well. The Morning Benders also played "Crosseyed" which is another potential single off their upcoming release "Talking Through Tin Cans". The Morning Benders are the front runners for the most live reviewed band in 2008 as I will see them again with The Kooks at the Troubadour on February 7th and with We Barbarians at the Detroit Bar on February 25th. The Morning Benders did not play their cover of "Ceremony" but did play "A Song" which is the B-side off their 7 inch release of "Waiting For A War".
The Airborne Toxic Event
The Airborne Toxic Event shouldn't be playing Spaceland with the performance they turned in. I envision them playing the Wiltern within a year or so. The soft synth swells of "Wishing Well" echo nicely before the jangling guitars roar in with the violin riding the undercurrent of the sythns. The music soon gives way to Mikel Jollet's commanding voice. "Papillon" is fueled with stabbing guitars and the shout along chorus of "I'm such a mess!". "Gasoline" is fueled by a hypnosis inducing bass line that almost has a punk vibe to the song meshed with clean rapid fire guitars. "Does This Mean You're Moving On?" incited a dance party on stage and featured some tambourine action to coordinate all the stage invaders. Mikel must have been inspired by Joe Ferrell's earlier guitar performance and broke a few guitar strings on his Fender Jaguar and Fender Telecaster. The Airborne Toxic Event are finishing up their debut album and I imagine they won't be unsigned for long as they mysteriously list Sub Pop in their top friends.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
The Airborne Toxic Event and Cavil At Rest at the Detroit Bar
It seemed like I had not been to the Detroit Bar in ages when I pulled into the parking lot on Monday night. It was a free show with three upcoming bands Castledoor, The Airborne Toxic Event and Cavil at Rest.
Castledoor
It has been quite sometime since I last saw Castledoor here. Their growth is noticeable as they had gathered quite an audience watching their early performance. Nate Cole (Vocals) looked extremely comfortable singing heartfelt lyrics into compact catchy songs. When the opening notes of "The Man Who Sold The World" rang out, I was skeptical at first but Castledoor nailed it convincing me after a few bars. They played a new song entitled "Dumpster Diving" that showed great promise. Castledoor can be added on the list of bands to watch in 2008.
The Airborne Toxic Event
I missed Airborne Toxic Event when they played the Echoplex a few weeks back and heard the show was sold out. The buzz on them has been deafening as Buzz Bands and Inflight At Night have both profiled the band. They are signed to a UK label(Square) and have already toured the UK. It seems like they are poised to break out in the states as they have received airplay on some local radio stations. The delay washed keyboards of "Wishing Well" roam around inside your head as the overdriven Fender Jaguar comes roaring in behind a steady beat only to give way to Mikel Jollett's commanding voice. It was part Talking Heads and part Smiths rolled into one. "Papillon" shifted gears upward as they really turned up the heat. It is disheartening to think I can only listen to their 3 song EP. They will be finishing their record in December before embarking on a Thursday January Spaceland residency.
Cavil at Rest
I have seen a lot of guitars on stage in my time but was stumped for Cavil at Rest's whole set until Taylor Rice (Vocals/Guitars) explained he was playing a Goya Guitar made in Italy. Taylor was just one of the trio of front men for Cavil at Rest. Kelcey Ayer and Ryan Hahn made up the rest of the mixed singer trio. It was hard to believe they were unsigned as they glided into their brand of indie psychedelic folk rock. They used their trio of singer-songwriters to their advantage as each song varied and it was difficult to predict where their songs would go. I found this attribute to be a strength as they switched emphasis between vocals, guitars, bass and keyboards in their songs. My radar is on overload with three bands in one night to look out for.
Castledoor
It has been quite sometime since I last saw Castledoor here. Their growth is noticeable as they had gathered quite an audience watching their early performance. Nate Cole (Vocals) looked extremely comfortable singing heartfelt lyrics into compact catchy songs. When the opening notes of "The Man Who Sold The World" rang out, I was skeptical at first but Castledoor nailed it convincing me after a few bars. They played a new song entitled "Dumpster Diving" that showed great promise. Castledoor can be added on the list of bands to watch in 2008.
The Airborne Toxic Event
I missed Airborne Toxic Event when they played the Echoplex a few weeks back and heard the show was sold out. The buzz on them has been deafening as Buzz Bands and Inflight At Night have both profiled the band. They are signed to a UK label(Square) and have already toured the UK. It seems like they are poised to break out in the states as they have received airplay on some local radio stations. The delay washed keyboards of "Wishing Well" roam around inside your head as the overdriven Fender Jaguar comes roaring in behind a steady beat only to give way to Mikel Jollett's commanding voice. It was part Talking Heads and part Smiths rolled into one. "Papillon" shifted gears upward as they really turned up the heat. It is disheartening to think I can only listen to their 3 song EP. They will be finishing their record in December before embarking on a Thursday January Spaceland residency.
Cavil at Rest
I have seen a lot of guitars on stage in my time but was stumped for Cavil at Rest's whole set until Taylor Rice (Vocals/Guitars) explained he was playing a Goya Guitar made in Italy. Taylor was just one of the trio of front men for Cavil at Rest. Kelcey Ayer and Ryan Hahn made up the rest of the mixed singer trio. It was hard to believe they were unsigned as they glided into their brand of indie psychedelic folk rock. They used their trio of singer-songwriters to their advantage as each song varied and it was difficult to predict where their songs would go. I found this attribute to be a strength as they switched emphasis between vocals, guitars, bass and keyboards in their songs. My radar is on overload with three bands in one night to look out for.
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