April 2005

Locust

Eddie April 28, 2005 No Comments

Safety Second, Body Last

8:30 p.m. Thursday, April 28 with Giant Squid, Tera Melos and the Blue Letter; $12; all ages. The Boardwalk, 9426 Greenback Lane, in Orangevale.

Leave it to the quirky Mike Patton to team up with the Locust as his big middle finger to the record industry. Virtually the progenitors of the spaz-core scene, the Locust, whose stage attire resembles that of life-sized insects, have released a concept album that is essentially one song divided into four sections. If you loved Plague Soundscapes, you’ll find great pleasure knowing the quartet hasn’t let up. “Invented Organs/New Tongue Sweepstakes/Consenting Abscess” is both white noise and math rock, infused with irregular sonic threats. Fans of the Blood Brothers, Holy Molar, Fantomas, or even Hella will appreciate the sonic calisthenics herein. Perhaps the only thing missing from this nearly complete package is a healthy dose of Ritalin. Long live diet pills and caffeinated mints! Let the sleep deprivation begin!
(SN&R)

Not for the halter top crowd

Eddie April 28, 2005 No Comments

It’s hard to believe that the Wright brothers—that is, Rob and John—have been around since the early 1980s. While most bands formed during the “punk boom” eventually lost notoriety and respect, NoMeansNo’s awkward mix of algorithm-based punk and lyrical sarcasm has led to well-attended U.S. tours and overseas jaunts, not to mention a devout legion of rabid fans. The Wrights’ latest release is a compilation of 15 songs aptly titled People’s Choice. It spans the group’s career and is a great introduction to one of Canada’s most complex and confusing punk bands. Make that introduction in person when NoMeansNo plays Harlow’s, located at 2708 J Street, on Monday at 9 p.m. Admission is $12. Also on the bill is Northern California’s greatest post-punk trio, Victims Family, whose first album, Voltage & Violets, should’ve earned them a punk Grammy. Visit www.harlows.com for more information.
(SN&R)

Roll back the rug

Eddie April 14, 2005 No Comments

From Sonora to Lake Tahoe to Santa Cruz to Reno, Nev., Mumbo Gumbo has maintained a regular show regimen that keeps the surrounding areas quite content. Although the band’s sound is an amalgam of styles including world, blues, balladry, country and even rockabilly, these musicians know how to make it all work simultaneously in their two-hour-plus sets. The core members of the group—Chris Webster and Tracy Walton, the band’s mainstay singer-songwriters—are just two of the many reasons you should experience the band in a live setting. Drummer Rick Lotter, bassist Mike Palmer, saxophonist Reggy Marks, accordionist and pianist Steve Stizzo and guitar hero Jon Wood offer you five more. Still debating? Check out some awesome song samples at www.mumbogumbo.com. On Saturday at 8 p.m., the band will play songs from its last release, Seven, along with a plethora of Mumbo Gumbo favorites at the Palms Playhouse, located at 13 Main Street in Winters. Move those seats into the hallway.
(SN&R)

Mando Diao

Eddie April 14, 2005 No Comments

Hurricane Bar

This band’s two singers, Gustaf Norén and Björn Dixgard, deliver more hooks in 30 seconds than the Thrills or the Vines have on all of their releases combined. On Hurricane Bar, their sophomore release for Mute, one listen to “Cut The Rope” or the harmony-laden “God Knows” will bring back flashes of Eric Burdon’s Animals and easily should convert followers of Jet or the Libertines. Unlike the countless, one-word named, pseudo-retro garbage acts that preceded the band’s glorious first U.S. release, Bring ’Em In, Mando Diao’s songs are so infectious that a vaccine should be created. Songs like “Down In The Past” and “All My Senses” should be the new standard for rock ’n’ roll in the new millennium. Fans of the Strokes take note: There’s a new kid on the block.
(SN&R)

Radar love

Eddie April 7, 2005 No Comments

Los Angeles’ Radar Bros. have flown under the radar for more than 10 years, but they haven’t let that lack of attention hamper their creativity one iota. The band’s latest release, The Fallen Leaf Pages, hit the streets on March 22. While comparisons to the great Pink Floyd, Grandaddy, Neil Young, Earlimart and even the Beach Boys are inevitable, the group continues its rich tradition of fine harmonies and dense guitar wash without sounding derivative. If you’re a fan of slow-core, surreal pop or even the Merge Records roster, The Fallen Leaf Pages is one helluva catch.

So, why would a touring band with such critical acclaim book a Saturday night in Sacramento, a town that was once White Zombie’s top-selling market? The tour routing to the Blue Lamp might have been a mistake, but mistakes can be good. The Radar Bros. play the Blue Lamp, located at 1400 Alhambra Boulevard, with Carquinez Straits and the Randies on Saturday at 9:30 p.m. Admission is $8. Embrace this chance; you might only get one.
(SN&R)