The Kooks at the Hollywood Palladium

Luke Pritchard (Vocals/Guitar) sounded like he fully recovered from a respiratory infection that forced The Kooks to cancel their in-store performance at Fingerprints records when I saw their show at the House of Blues Anaheim. I was interested to see how they would sound at the newly redesigned Hollywood Palladium.

The Whigs






It was the final night of tour for the combination The Whigs and The Kooks. The Whigs will be joining the Kings of Leon for a batch of East coast dates before bringing in the new year in their hometown with Band of Horses.

A paperplate made for a makeshift setlist at the feet of Tim Deaux(Bass) as they opened up their set with "Violet Furs". The Whigs were even tighter on this particular night as they blasted through "Like A Vibration" and "Technology". Parker Gispert (Vocals/Guitars) later got behind his Yamaha keyboard for "Nothing Is Easy" while Tim picked up a Fender Telecaster. "Already Young" was the standout track of the night as Parker crossed over into the realm of Nirvana as he sounded similar to Kurt Cobain. I also noticed the acoustics in the Palladium have dramatically improved as The Whigs sounded pristine.

The Kooks






I have to give credit to Live Nation in their redesign of the Hollywood Palladium. The vibe has transformed to that of the Wiltern with LCD screens by the bars and a much tidier appearance. I also wasn't strip searched when I entered the Palladium which was a good thing. The Palladium also installed some foam in the ceiling to improve the acoustics which used to be another reason not to go to the Palladium. I hope they fixed the plumbing that caused the cancellation of the Morrissey shows in October of last year.

The Kooks always come out with their guns blazing as they tore into "Always Where I Need To Be" which they later played on the Jay Leno show the next night. Hugh Harris (Guitars) continues to dazzle me with his playing skills as his solo for "Ooh La" was wiry tight. Hugh later used a lighter as a slide for "I Want You" for some bluesy feedback. The crowd was singing along for "She Moves In Her Own Way" as Hugh methodically fingerpicked the notes while engaging his Boss Octave pedal.

Luke mentioned that when they started the band the goal was to make people dance as he succeeded by playing "Do You Wanna" with its hi-hat shuffle. Tim from The Whigs came out to assist during "Shine On" as Luke gave him a hug to thank him for touring together. The encore came too quick as Luke and his acoustic guitar played "Seaside" and "Princess of My Mind". Hugh came out for "See The Sun" and added some background vocals. "Sofa Song" delighted the female fans in the front as Luke came down to the rail and went quite far into the crowd barely missing a note as he sung. The Kooks will finish up their tour supporting Konk in Japan and the rest of Europe.


The Kooks setlist at the Hollywood Palladium (10/28/08)
"Always Where I Need To Be"
"Matchbox"
"Eddie's Gun"
"Ooh La"
"Sway"
"Time Awaits"
"I Want You"
"One Last Time"
"She Moves In Her Own Way"
"Mr. Maker"
"Do You Wanna"
"Naive"
"Shine On"
"See The World"
"You Don't Love Me"
"Seaside"
"Princess Of My Mind"
"Jackie Big Tits"
"See The Sun"
"Stormy Weather"
"Sofa Song"

The Kooks at House of Blues Anaheim

The kids in Anaheim are alright. It was a sold out show at the House of Blues Anaheim, as The Kooks made their first appearance in Orange County touring behind their second album Konk.

The Whigs





It was going to be an early night as The Whigs hit the stage close to eight o'clock. Mission Control is their latest album and a southern fried blast of rock. Their songs held up well in the stripped down format when I saw them at Fingerprints Records the day before.

"Technology" from their debut album Give 'Em All A Big Fat Lip played twice as fast as the recorded version jump started the audience. Parker Gispert (Vocals/Guitars) had his Gibson hollowbody guitar wailing away as they rambled through the foot tapping jam of "Like A Vibration". Tim Deaux (Bass) was adding background harmonies while plowing away on his Gibson SG bass. Julian Dorio (Drums) had his mop of long hair whipping throughout the whole set as he throttled his drum kit.

The younger leaning crowd seemed to appreciate their set hard driving set, but Parker did get quite a response when he asked the crowd if they were ready to see The Kooks. "Need You, Need You" had some screaming guitar octaves and jangling chords that slightly reminded me of Nirvana. The sound was mixed well at the House of Blues and the floor became really crowded as The Whigs closed out their set.


The Kooks







It has been a busy year for The Kooks. I caught them earlier this year at the Wiltern, House of Blues San Diego, The Echo and the Troubadour. They have come a long way since I saw them at Spaceland two years ago.

The Kooks wasted no time getting everyone dancing as Hugh Harris (Guitars) hammered out the chords to "Always Where I Need To Be". A line of females was permanently glued to the front rail with their eyes fixed on Luke Pritchard (Vocals/Guitars). It so happened that I ran into the same girls who attended the House Of Blues San Diego in which Luke dedicated a song to them.

"Sway" had Luke switching to a mini acoustic guitar that sounded twice as big as its size while Hugh was operating on his Gibson gold top. Paul Millard (Drums) was all business in his suit and tie on the drums filling in for Paul. "Time Awaits" was rearranged when the Kooks slowed down the tempo mid song before kicking it up a notch for a guitar feedback outro. Luke had a capo on the 7th fret during "One Last Time" as Hugh was crouched over his pedalboard concentrating on playing the quick guitar fills.

A few lighters popped up in the crowd during "Seaside" as Luke was on stage by himself for the encore. Luke deviated from the printed setlist as he offered up a new tune entitled "Princess of My Mind" in which he employed a capo on the 4th fret. The crowd tried in vain to have Luke sing "California" which is an older B-side that he could barely remember by singing only a few lines. "Sofa Song" brought the house down as Luke jumped into the crowd in front of the barricade as even the people upstairs were caught dancing along. I would say the Anaheim crowd was Konked after the end of their set.

The Kooks setlist at the House of Blues Anaheim (10/27/08)

The Whigs at Fingerprints Records

It was barely a month ago that I caught The Whigs at the Detroit Bar opening for Tokyo Police Club. I did pick up a copy of their latest album Mission Control which has crept into major rotation with its rambuncous guitars, and southern fried vibe.

Originally billed as a combination in-store at Fingerprints Records with The Kooks and The Whigs, The Kooks had to cancel due to Luke Pritchard's entanglement with a respiratory infection. I recommend Luke starts a course of Levaquin 500mg for at least five days.

It was a stripped down affair as Parker Gispert (Vocals/Guitars) warned the audience that their songs are normally played a lot faster before embarking on a bluesy version of "Like A Vibration". Parker had his full pedalboard in front of him that included two Boss Blues Drivers. Tim Deaux (Bass) opted for a Fender Telecaster guitar instead of a bass as he used a glass slide to fully bring out the southern rock in the Athens, GA trio. Julian Dorio (Drums) had a minature drum kit with the bass drum strategically covered by a Whigs t-shirt.

The galloping rhythm of "Production City" was missing the harmonizing background vocals but still rocked nonetheless. Tim offered up some more glass slide guitar work for "Right Hand On My Heart" which breathed some new life into the song. I was impressed how well the songs stood up in their slower pace.

All of those in attendance were also treated to free tickets to see The Kooks and The Whigs at the Hollywood Palladium to make up for the cancelled appearance which brought out some vocal cheers from the crowd. I hope Luke gets better but I know The Whigs will be at full strength for these upcoming shows.

Tokyo Police Club at the Detroit Bar

A whole lot of shows were going on Wednesday. Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Spiritualized, and Cat Power were at the Hollywood Bowl and MGMT was at the Henry Fonda Theater. I didn't hear about MGMT but I heard Nick Cave was epic. I opted for my own epic show with We Barbarians, The Whigs and Tokyo Police Club at the cozy Detroit Bar.

We Barbarians




It has been almost a year since We Barbarians hit the scene opening for the Delta Spirit at the Detroit Bar. I have practically worn out my copy of their debut EP "In The Doldrums" and was excited to see they posted a few new tracks on their myspace page along with the news that a full length album is due in December.

The crowd had started to file in as We Barbarians constructed a solid set featuring a few new tracks that hopefully will be on their new album. The sullen organ notes of "Yesmen and Bumsuckers" gave way to some ambient guitar notes as Davey Quon (Guitars/Vocals/Keyboards) switched back and forth between the instruments. Nathan Warkentin (Drums) and Derek Van Heule locked down the rhythm section to give Davey space to float his textural guitar arrangements on top of their songs. "Sixes and Sevens" starts with a volume swell of reverb guitar before Nathan comes in with a tight drum shuffle. We Barbarians will be back at the Troubadour with Mando Diao on November 3rd.

The Whigs





The Whigs rocked the Detroit Bar like their life depended on it. An explosive trio hailing from Georgia, The Whigs had nothing left on the stage as they were sweat drenched two songs deep into their set. "Mission Control" served as a slow cooking introduction to the band as Parker Gispert (Guitars/Vocals) strummed his Gibson hollowbody guitar. The floor started to shake courtesy of Julian Dorio (Drums) as he pummeled his drum kit for "Like A Vibration" and the Whigs started to unleash their rock fury on the unsuspecting Detroit Bar audience.

The jangling guitars of "Hot Bed" immediately triggered mass foot tapping as the Whigs were already hitting their stride. Tim Deaux (Bass) was adding background harmonies and a heart thumping bass line via his Gibson SG bass. The Whigs imbibe the essence of southern rock but assault it with a ferocity that I haven't seen in awhile. Vocal harmonies rained down once more for the southern fried "Production City". Parker kept the momentum alive with a rambling version "Right Hand On My Heart". It was impressive to see a trio conjure this much noise as each member was vital to their collective sound. The Whigs will be back in October with the Kooks playing the House of Blues Anaheim on the 27th and the Hollywood Palladium on the 28th. I probably will be at both shows.


Tokyo Police Club





I had mentioned in a prior review of We Barbarians that I will probably like your band if you play a Gibson Ripper bass. When Dave Monks (Bass/Vocals) approached the microphone with his own Gibson Ripper bass, it only took a few notes for me to be sold. Tokyo Police Club strategically mixes elements of Jawbreaker, Weezer and the Rentals for bash and pop caffeine fueled songs.

Graham Wright (Keyboards) was primarily anchored to his Alesis Micron keyboard frantically whipping up ascending or descending synth lines to the fast paced rock tunes. A twenty song setlist blazed by in 55 minutes as they raced through their tunes. "Box" kicked off their blazing set as Josh Hook (Guitars) worked in some colorful guitar squalls to racing bass line.
"Graves" had the requisite "oohs and aahs" hovering around the bursts of tremolo guitars. Elephant Shell is the latest release from Tokyo Police Club and clocks in at the 28 minute mark. The brevity of the album actually helps the band as it is very easy to hit the repeat button. I will admit I was suckered in by the combination of the Alesis Micron and strategic guitars of Josh.

"Your English Is Good" had people breaking out the dance moves and I even spotted a mini mosh pit. I wasn't surprised they covered The Rentals "Friends of P."."Tessellate" reminded me of an upbeat song from The Promise Ring. Tokyo Police Club capped their set with a number of selections from A Lesson In Crime and strongly closed the evening with "Be Good". Tokyo Police Club will head out with Angels & Airwaves as the openers for Weezer. I hope to catch either the Forum show on 10/17 or the Cox Arena show in San Diego on 10/17.

Tokyo Police Club pedalboard


Tokyo Police Club setlist at the Detroit Bar
"Box"
"Graves"
"In A Cave"
"If It Works"
"Sixties Remake"
"Juno"
"Your English Is Good"
"New New Song"
"Centennial"
"La Ferrassie"
"Cut Cut Paste"
"Friends of P."
"Nursery, Academy"
"Citizens Of Tomorrow"
"Tessellate"
"Shoulders & Arms"
"The Harrowing Adventures Of..."
"Nature Of The Experiment"
"Famous"
"Be Good"