Film School, The Henry Clay People and The Parson Red Heads at Little Radio

Little Radio knows how to throw a party. Ten dollars for three bands and all you can drink? It was the perfect way to wind down the July 4th weekend.

The Parson Red Heads





The sunny weather was a perfect backdrop for the summer soaked tunes of The Parson Red Heads. A fewer number of Parson Red Heads hit the stage which actually enhanced their particular set as the focus shifted to Evan Way (Vocals/Guitars) who gently strummed his Fender telecaster as he led the band through some songs from their album King Giraffe. The Parson Red Heads also played "Out To Sea" and "Got It All" from their recently released EP Owl & Timber. "Punctual as Usual" was one of the stand out tracks of their set with the backing vocal harmonies and organ keyboards creeping along in the background. The Parson Red Heads will be heading out with Earlimart for a west coast tour stopping by the Detroit Bar on August 9th with the Henry Clay People.

The Henry Clay People





The Henry Clay People continue to blitz Southern California playing just about every week at some location. Things are looking up for The Henry Clay People as their next full length release will be on Aquarium Drunkard's label Autumn Tone records. I am still enjoying their most recent release Working Part Time on Jaxart records. The Henry Clay People usually have a drink or two prior to hitting the stage but fact that free alcohol was flowing at Little Radio only enhanced the chaos that would unfold on stage. It didn't take too long before empty Colt 45 cans littered the stage as attempts to supply the band with water were feeble. "Working Part Time" was one of the few recognizable songs from their catalog as their other tracks were impromptu covers of the Traveling Wilbury's "Handle With Care" , Tom Petty's "I Won't Back Down" and Neil Young's "Rockin' In The Free World". I think multiple hepatocytes were obliterated during their set.


Film School





After wrapping up a successful campaign opening for Swervedriver, Film School is about to embark on another vast U.S tour to support one of my favorite albums of 2007 Hideout. I looked back in the archives and found out that I have covered Film School twelve times. So feel free to check out all my prior reviews of the band. I would like to point out that Dave Dupuis's (Guitars) pedalboard has been reconfigured as he has added an Eventide Time Factor and a Death By Audio Interstellar Overdriver Supreme. I am still researching the make of his vintage green tremolo pedal that had a massive swirl of sound. Film School is playing Spaceland on August 6th to close out their tour and you can bet I will be there.

The Parson Red Heads at Spaceland

The onslaught of Monday residencies in January continued with a lot of difficult decisions to make. I had to opt for The Parson Red Heads. The deck was stacked high with support from Everest, the Mezzanine Owls, and Light FM.





I have a problem with Everest. They are too good. If Everest takes off, what will happen to the other stellar bands they play in? Davey Latter (Drums) is an integral part of Great Northern with his rock solid drumming. Jason Soda(Guitars) and Russ Pollard(Guitars/Vocals) help make the Watson Twins one of the more underrated bands on the Los Angeles scene. I won't even start about Rob Douglas and Joel Graves and their contributions to Earlimart. Everest is not far from The Watson Twins with their endearing alternative country roots. "The Trees" is one such polished gem in their arsenal with its propulsive guitar riff with acoustic countermelody. "Rebels In The Roses" is another quiet acoustic spun jam that places you on a back porch during a hot summer day with a large glass of lemonade. I was also envious of Jason Soda's Fulltone Tube Tape Echo and extraodinary guitar playing skills. I will catch them again with the Radar Bros. next week.







Mezzanine Owls have had my attention ever since I caught them at Little Radio during Summer Camp. Jax is lucky to be releasing their new EP which features "Snowglobe" and "Ghost Ship". Since I have seen the Mezzanine Owls five times previously, I can testify that this was their best show yet. The new songs were louder, faster and played with strong conviction. Jonathan Zeitlin (Guitars) was abusing his tremelo arm that it popped out. Jonathan was undeterred as he banged on his guitar even harder. I highly recommend you go to their myspace page and check out "Snow Globe". It has all the essential ingredients in all the right places. The song opens with a Korg MS2000 shower of sound mixed with a thumping bass line coupled with a soaring guitar line blended to perfection with Jack Burnside's vocals. I hope the world is ready for the flight of the Mezzanine Owls.






The Parson Red Heads have gained momentum since I last caught them in September of 2007. Their album "King Giraffe" finished on a number of "Best of" local releases in 2007 and landing a Spaceland residency is a good way to start your year. It was difficult to track them again with their massive stage presence but the music is still the focus point as they produce a lost chapter of Sixties inspired sunshine pop seasoned with kick of country. If you attend a Parson Red Heads show expect a lot of clapping, tambourine shaking and a good time.






Light FM came out throwing punches. "16 Below" immediately grabs your attention with its propulsive bass line and siren like guitars. Josiah Mazzaschi (Guitars/Vocals) had a perfect blend of distortion and overdrive coming out of his Gibson SG. Josiah's use of octaves and occasional use of the Wah pedal reminded me a tad bit of Ned's Atomic Dustbin. "Save The Drama" played like a cross between the Rentals and Weezer with its swirling synth action and crunchy guitars pinned with a tight song structure. "Switchboard Control" was a showcase for Kim Haden (Synths) an she dialed up some synthesizer goodness on her Korg MS2000. Light FM plays with the Pity Party on February 4th for a super stacked line up with The Happy Hollows and Rademacher at Spaceland. It looks like February residencies will be bustling.

Delta Spirit at the Detroit Bar

I have seen the Detroit Bar packed many times this year. This night was no exception for a sold out show with the line up of The Parson Redheads, We Barbarians, and The Delta Spirit.

The Parson Red Heads




The Parson Redheads packed the stage themselves with seven people onstage. With seven people on stage, it was difficult to track all the members. The impressive thing was how well collectively they played as a unit. I have heard some buzz about them and made sure I was at the show early to catch a full set. Apparently other people heard the buzz because the Detroit Bar was already filling up. The Parson Redheads had a Beach Boys crossed with Wilco vibe. The Parson Redheads are led by Evan Way (Guitars/Vocals) who had a slick Fender Jazzmaster. The rest of the Redheads go by various pseudonyms like Clicker Parson, Combat Parson, Slider Parson and Flatman Parson. Their latest release is "King Giraffe" released on Yukon records. They will descend upon the Detroit Bar again on Oct 17th.

We Barbarians




We Barbarians looked very familiar from the start. Rising like a phoenix from the ashes of The Colour are We Barbarians. We Barbarians consists of 3/4 of the Colour with the following members being Davey Quon (Vocals/Guitars), Derek Van Heule (Bass) and Nathan Warkentin (Drums). It was their first performance as We Barbarians and they are onto something. They mine the darkness of reverb with introspective songwriting. Derek was killing it on his Gibson Ripper bass. Davey had his Gibson hollowbody howling all night. Nathan managed to escape his drum kit for a tune on guitar while Davey was strumming an acoustic guitar. I see a Detroit Bar residency amongst other things in their future.

Delta Spirit





I unfortunately missed Delta Spirit at the Southern Comfort Music Festival down in San Diego. I have been impressed by their last couple of shows as a clear progression and growth could be seen. I would love to describe all the pedals that Delta Spirit uses but they have an organic sound that is devoid of pedals. Matthew Vazquez (Guitars/Vocals) led the spirit along a storytelling set of forty five minutes. The Delta Spirit manage to tap into the sounds of yesterday but add a sense of urgency and social commentary that makes the music come off fresh. They have been recording a new album entitled "Ode to Sunshine" that is due out soon. The Delta Spirit will have gearing up for the start of their tour with Dr. Dog and will be having a cd release party on Oct 15th at the Troubadour with We Barbarians in tow.


Delta Spirit Setlist for the Detroit Bar (9/8/07)
"Bleeding Bells"
"Trashcan"
"Streetwalker"
"People C'mon"
"House Built"
(Interlude)
"Strange Vine"
"Sweet Soul"
"Childrens"
"Tom Gerald"
"People,Turn Around!"