This post about an Airborne Toxic Event is not about the swine flu but something just as contagious
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Ever go to a show and have to suffer through opening bands that make you wonder if it is even worth waiting for the headliner? Where the 30 minutes of so-called music feels like forever and your ears are simply begging you to stick something sharp in them, to stop the agony? Last week I went to see The Airborne Toxic Event, who were preceded by Red Cortez and then The Henry Clay People. I am here to testify that that night last week was not that night. That night was an example of new discoveries. That night was a night of riotous performances and great music.
First up was Red Cortez. I'd not heard of this California band but completely enjoyed their earnest songs of rebellion and love.
Into the Fall-Red Cortez
Next, my new boy friend and lead singer for The Henry Clay People. Full of nerdy hotness, he entralled me with his thick glasses and excellent hair...oh, and the music was fabulous too.
Reminding me of a punkier The Hold Steady, I was wow'd by everything; the songs, the performance, the essence of fun while doing what they obviously love.
When the stage filled with members of all three bands for a joyously disorganized version of Bang a Gong (Get it On) I wondered how the Hell The Airborne Toxic Event could top THAT. I need not have worried
You Can Be Timeless--The Henry Clay People
The Gentle Charm of the Soviette--The Henry Clay People
Sound check went by quickly, eased by possibly the most beautiful sound check guy ever to cavort through my dreams and then the lights dimmed. The Airborne Toxic Event began their set.
Violin soaring, bass thrumming and mondo TV screens showing images of birds and storms and lipsticked mouths, the band entered the stage one at a time. Having listened to their music a fair amount I expected a serious bend to the show but it was lighthearted and fun, a example of how contagious it can be when the band is as happy to be there as the audience.
Guitarist Steven Chen was blisteringly good on guitar and Anna Bulbrook, the one member of the band who did some rock and roll posing, made her violin weep.
Drummer Daren Taylor was cheeky (yeah, I see you sticking your tongue out at me) and bassist Noah Harmon was gorgeous, pulsating with a rock and roll pirate vibe. When he flipped me a wink during the show I just knew he and I were betrothed in some way and when he cradled the feminine curves of his upright bass like a lover I'm pretty sure I sighed in unison with all the women (and some of the men) in the room. Seriously, why is it always the bassist????
But front and center, highlighted by the stage lighting and his throaty voice was lead singer Mikel Jollett. He sang, he played guitar and he captivated the audience for 75 minutes. He was perfect.
Once again the stage filled with members of all three bands for a pounding cover of Jim Carroll's People Who Died. Mikal wondered out loud if it were in poor taste to sing this particular song, since we recently lost Mr Carroll. But he quickly pointed out: "He wrote the song about his friends. Fuck it; he'd want us to sing." Judging from the enthusiastic response from the audience as well as the artists literally swinging from the rafters, he was right. He would want us to sing.
What performances! What a show! What a night!
...and then, of course...the night was made perfect because of these BOOTS, quite possibly the best rock star boots of all time, worn by Mr Pirate Bass Player. How can an unapologetic shoe fetishist and semi-retired groupie resist? And why would she want to?
Something New--The Airborne Toxic Event
Missy--The Airborne Toxic Event
Comments (14)
What a great post- and very cool and emotive pictures! Excellent all around IMHO.
Had heard of The Henry Clay People, but not Red Cortez. Thanks for the intro.
Don't know if you get DirecTV, Amber, but periodically they do a hi-def rerun of an ATE show from SXSW last year that's pretty great. You can usually find those on demand as well.
Thanks Rex! Your kind words mean a ton although it is pretty easy to take emotive photos when the bands are emotive. This was a walk in the park!
Robin: I do have DirecTV...I'll have to look for the SXSW recap. I got me a taste and now I want more--music is crack at its most addictive.
just for fun
People Who Died--The Jim Carroll Band
Amber, the SXSW shows are run on the 101 channel. Airborne did a set. If you have a DVR, you can set it to record 11/13 at 4AM PST, 7AM EST- not sure where you live, but check the time on that morning.
Amber - you are my #1 EMCD.
Loving Red Cortez. And Sea Wolf who you introduced me to a week or so ago...
THANK YOU!
Fantastic!!! I usually suffer through support bands but every now and then, gems come along and it's so worth it. Glad you had a great time!
I enjoyed Airborne live a lot as well, even though I'm not crazy about their album.
Your violinist picture is ASTONISHING.
Whatever you where drinking that night, i need to get some for my wife. Sounds like liquid X!
Glad you had a good time, and good listens.. looking forward to getting home and checking out the pictures.
Rex--done and done. THANKS for the heads up.
I'm an EMCD? ::wipes a tear:: I am humbled, my friend (but already thinking of what to post next!)
Anna: I'm with you on the album vs live. I liked the album but loved the live show. Of course, for me live is make or break for bands. And thanks. Sometimes crappy lighting gives me a fluke shot. I'll take it.
Ghost--HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Unfortunately, that's my baseline. What can I say? I just get all twitterpated by a pretty boy with a guitar. (Captain Morgan tattoo, diet Coke and slice of lime--just in case)
Amber - great blog, excellent pix - I love this band so much I feel like a stalker. Go fig.
incredible pictures, really fantastic
really enjoyed that Red Cortez song, esp. such a clear sounding floor tom!
GFFG: stalk away, just remember...he winked at ME! ;)
Madrid...thanks so much. That Red Cortez song is nice--and they were really great live. Maybe some bigger things to come for them?
Wow. Nice review, amber. I'm impressed. I love these sort of show recaps (and I have been known to do a few of these myself)
You had me chuckling at "my new boy friend and lead singer for The Henry Clay People. Full of nerdy hotness, he entralled me with his thick glasses and excellent hair...oh, and the music was fabulous too"
Ha, ha. I'm always doing that too - with the females. Like showing a picture I took at show to my friends - "my future wife" (Belinda of My Bloody Valentine) or more recently - telling my friend that the bass player from Ringo Deathstarr is going to be my new girlfriend ;-)
I also chuckled at the "disorganized version of Bang a Gong (Get it On)" description. ;-)
I like the way you write.
"and I have been known to do a few of these myself"
I just love ironic understatements. ;)
I have so very many rock and roll boy friends. I just keep adding them to my man-harem and very rarely do they drop off of the roster (although, since The Kings of Leon started strutting around like peacocks, the Followill's have been riding the bench this year).
Thanks for your compliment. :D