Four For the Price of Two
Sometimes all you need is two bands on the bill that you want to see. In most of my show going experience, you can tend to bank on a good line up if you like two bands on the bill. I, however, have never gone to a show completely blind, as in not listening to a recorded song of a band or word of mouth. While that sounds like a fun experience for a future write up, tonight’s package of all four bands was fantastic.
It opened up with the only locals on the show, Goldengoat. These guys have that mix of alternative and indie rock sound, with some flair. The head banging long hair of most of the band made me think I was watching some harder music on that stage. At times their songs got harder too. I learned of a new website from them that I didn’t think was a real thing, meanwhile they had to explain on stage to one of their moms what the site was. It was a fun set to watch. It was a fun set to open up the show from Goldengoat.
The first of two musicians I showed up for originally, Mikey Erg, was on next. The man has played in many awesome bands, including Star Fucking Hipsters and a big favorite of mine, The Ergs. His solo stuff is no slouch either. A cool note is that his latest album produced by Jeff Rosenstock. I last caught Mikey Erg perform when he came with the Falcon tour last year. He has fun up there, and cracks some jokes through it. I think the man is one of the best musicians anyone can watch, either by himself or in a band.
As it would turn out, the two parts of the show I knew going in were like the middle of the Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich that was the show. Cayetana was up third, who I had bought a single of theirs when I first saw them about three years ago with Against Me. This being a fact that I would finally put together after a conversation with Will Anderson, and reinforced when they played a song titled “Mesa” that was about Arizona. The trio is a great band to watch, and have down to earth conversations with the crowd through the set. The sound of Cayetana you could place in a similar vein as Against Me in sound and tone, but a little more of an Indie Rock mixed in that punk sound. It was a great time to see them play again, and pick up their full album this time.
Last was Lemuria, who I had just heard of thanks to this show. I learned Lemuria have played Phoenix for about ten years, so I’m a little late to this party. This band is blast to watch too so don’t think my analogy in the paragraph above was just calling the outside bands the bread. Besides, bread has important reasons for being there. From what I could tell, their drummer, Alex, and guitarist, Sheena, alternate and sometimes share lead vocals on the songs. It’s more in line with an indie punk too. Lemuria fit right in with a Bomb the Music Industry type of sound. They have a ton of fun on stage, including bringing out a dancing Troll doll for what Sheena described as three sad songs. I enjoyed this entire night of music, all from showing up only knowing half of them.
