The Octopus Project @ KFN

Clearly I like this band. I've seen them a few times now and they never disappoint. I must admit, however, that I am very confused about what transpired at their recent show at Kung Fu Necktie.

 #1 The show was sold-out before the show date which is odd considering that they are a small electro-indie dance band from Austin, TX and every other time I've seen them, the audience was prolly about two people deep.

#2 The show was FULL of college kids. Now I am not talking about West Philly I-<3-Urban-Outfitters-and-fixies kind of college kids, I am talking Temple Northeasty I-like-to-start-fights-with-my-friends kind of college kids. One group of what could best be classified as "bros" came in a neon bachelor bus as their first stop on what I can only imagine was a trip to Delilah's. I also had to prop up several drunken ladies grinding on their friends in desperate pleas for attention. Which they received, mind you, from a guy next to me who danced like what I imagine Matthew McConaughey dances like and another who reminded me of the nervous boys at an 8th grade Rec Center dance complete with hoodie, baggy pants, and diamond studs.

Apparently, the Project is big on campus.

#3 The dance-floor was extremely active and at some times violent. I have GOT to give it to those kids for their enthusiasm. They were downright inspiring. As I watched, I could not keep the smile from my face. The crowd was so into this band, so eager to dance, it made me long for the days when being smug wasn't a show-goers most necessary accessory.

I know I am not the only one that noticed this unexpected surge of crowd appreciation. By the end of the set, their keyboard player was blowing kisses and the lead singer was inviting people to "come say hi" to him as he would be sitting in a booth after the show... just like everyone else that plays at KFN. It was truly magical to witness a small band receive such amazing feedback from a crowd so eager to supply it.

Deerhunter @ the Starlight Ballroom

Despite what this photo may suggest, Deerhuter is totally boring live.

 I should have learned my lesson a year ago and saved my $15 to go toward the insanely-expensive but probably-more-worth-my-time GWAR show @ the Electric Factory. How could a band create such a great collection of songs on "Microcastle" and have a pretty good follow-up with "Halcyon Digest" yet be so completely bad live? As the band strives to recapture the energy of punk DIY culture with their “interactive Xerox art project," encouraging fans to photocopy an old-school collage flyer and paste it up all over their towns, they forget to bring any energy their live performance. 

The drums were muffled and non-existent, sounding like someone forgot to take the blanket out of the kick drum after a suburban practice session. The bass player had plenty of rock star posing with no sign of any talent to back that up. Most importantly the singer phoned-in nearly half the performance and decided to add jamming what is already a psychedelic shoegaze-sound allowing the crowd to fall completely into their heroin coma right there under the flashing disco ball + spinning glow koosh Ballroom lights. 

Autolux + This Will Destroy You

Preface: I am not a huge Autolux fan. I like some of their songs, enough to agree to see them last fall when a friend needed a show partner. Expecting nothing much, I was completely drawn-in by their commanding female drummer and how wonderfully she played with rhythms. Her overall demeanor was fantastic. The other two members of the three-piece reminded me of everything I dislike about LA in general, their look and actions seemed more style than substance. 


My next show experience with the group far cry from my initial experience. The difference? You may have guessed it ... the drummer. Though she never seems very bright and sunny, she was particularly gloomy when taking the stage. Whatever... nothing new for a band member about to play the stage at Johnny Brendas. From the first hint of shoe-gaze reverb, she seemed agitated. 


Maybe her issue was their mix, which was extremely bass heavy and quite loud. Brenda's usually has really great sound since it's such a small space. It's quite hard to fuck up a band's sound especially if it requires lots of warm echo layers. However, that was just the foundation for the band's issues that night.


The biggest issue seemed to be her mic stand which was just not staying put. She had to continually fix it as she tried to sing and play drums at the same time. This was clearly difficult. She went from glaring at stage hands to just taking the mic and holding it still while playing drums with one hand. Honestly, I felt for the girl. The rest of the band just played on, dipping and swinging their perfect bed-head hair. After a short, loud, winy set and a hurried encore she stormed off the stage. I don't think anyone left happy that night.