My one Fest show

The 2nd Street Bakery was abuzz with peeps on Sunday for the Fest. Here’s my rundown.

Erin Tobey: the first person I happened to catch.

1. Nice set. More and more I am digging simplicity over, say, a horns section. Miss Tobey had a couple short, sing-a-longy ditties that make me say, “aww!”
2. When I hear someone play such simple sweet melodies, it makes me think, “hey, I could do that.” That doesn’t undermine the music to me, it just makes me feel lazy.

Result: Matt and I are going to start a band now?

Ghost Mice: always a pleaser

1. Argh microphones! I was lucky enough to witness their reported first-ever mic-ed (?) show at the Fest IV. I know they don’t wanna, but they gotta. It was really hard to hear. As a result, people were into it in a creepy way. Everyone had to sing along softly, the way you’d talk to a baby or someone you’re stalking over the phone.
2. I love that racecar song.

Result: should have bought a record from them, since mine is all scratched (not to mentioned burned in the first place)

Defiance, Ohio: Cello! (said like Hello!)

1. They sounded really good. Violin, cello, banjo (and some more conventional instruments, of course) all impress me easily. But its more their overall sound that really works. That scratchy lead singer’s voice works as a rough edge around the sweet violin melodies, and it all comes together really well with them.
2. I know about 15 Defiance songs, and not one of them was played.

Result: got a zine about fucking MySpace.

This Bike is a Pipe Bomb: missed most of this set

1. By this point in the day, I was exhausted, and those bakery pastries looked too good to not eat.
2. I did however, catch their last couple songs. I absolutely love the singer and his weird twangy… singing. Also, I got to hear “This is what I want,” which had undoubtedly the happiest looking mosh pit of the day. Those kids really loved each other.

Result: It’s fun to see a change in traffic between shows depending on who’s playing next. After This Bike, there was an influx of hipsters and an outflux of punks. I like them all, so it’s cool though.

Matt and Kim: my reason for attending

1. Like I said in a previous post, the banter really makes these guys’ shows. They played a short set, and not too many songs, mostly because their time was taken up by an explanation of what “supermanning that ho” means.
2. Got a little rowdy at the end, what with some drunk punk kids crowd surfing. Matt and Kim? Really? Matt (of Matt and Kim- not my Matt- he had a bad back) crowd surfed as well.
3. I didn’t see a lot of the “superfans” that were at the show they played in the summer at Common Grounds. I was disappointed because those kids could DANCE.

Result: I now know what supermanning a ho is.

Nada Surf review

Well Nada Surf was a big fat disappointment. They didn’t play “Popular,” and I don’t blame them. But, after doing a short survey/making assumptions about the people around me, a lot of people were there to hear a classic 90s hit. Unfortunately, the requests from people yelling “Popular!” and “My mom says I’m a catch!” were never fulfilled. When the lead singer said “Sometimes we play that song,” (hinting that tonight would not be one of those times) about 15 people left. I guess it was to be expected. That song has got to be over ten years old, and playing it must get tiring. I’d be surprised if they even knew all the words still, what with all the talking.

All in all, I didn’t have a good time. I listened to Nada Surf a little in high school, but I have absolutely no interest in them now. The music was just kind of trite and corny. It was all just so… 90s? The crowd seemed to like it though, and there were a few legit fans present. I found myself somehow knowing the words to songs that I don’t remember ever hearing. They’re all up in my subconscious an’ shiiii.

I liked Sea Wolf better.

Today: Ghost Mice, Defiance, Ohio, This Bike is a Pipe Bomb and Matt and Kim. Yes!

Recent Show Reviews + David Sedaris tonight

The last two shows that I went to were extremely notable.

First, I saw The Rentals at the Beta Bar in Tallahassee on Sept. 7. I’ve been a Rentals fan for about six years, and I hadn’t listened to their new stuff. In fact, the only album I own of their’s is Return of the Rentals. This was supposed to be a reunion tour of sorts, and I was definitely not disappointed.

1. I had no idea that Matt Sharp was so damn charismatic. I mean, the guy had serious stage presence and serious glasses. He definitely made the show that much better. Plus, those Haden girls were fun to watch as well.

2. They played an incredibly long set, with almost every song off of ROTR, so I was happy to be in the loop.

3. The thing that sucked was that Copeland, who I had never heard of, opened for them. It seemed pretty clear by the amount of sorority girls mouthing lyrics to their set, that the majority of the audience was there to see them. That always puts a damper on a show when a good third of the audience leaves after the opener. Also, the show was 20 bucks, which I did not find out until I arrived due to a typo on the Beta Bar Web site.

Second, I saw the Apples in Stereo on the 26th at Common Grounds. (Are they still going by the Apples in Stereo, or have they dropped the article, New Found Glory style?) They were pretty excellent, and the crowd seemed into it. Plus, their opening band Aqueduct was great. Matt didn’t like them so much, but any band that has its own theme song is instantly liked by me.

1. Horn solo from “Go” done by melodica (my wind instrument of choice)?! Very exciting!

2. In-between song banter, definitely not necessary, Robert Schneider. That’s for crapbands. Give us something of substance to fill the void.

Third, I’m seeing David Sedaris tonight at the Phillips Center at 8 p.m. Tickets were way too expensive, but I think it’ll be worth it. I met him once at a book signing, but I didn’t get to hear him read.