Pomona, CA was the last stop on Band of Horses‘ 2007 US Tour. Pomona?
Australia’s own the Drones opened, and I was a bit disappointed that I’d stayed so long at the pizza pub around the corner (where BOH was as well). I caught the last 3 songs of their set, and they were fairly decent. Maybe I’m just a sucker for choruses drenched in Lalalala”-s, but check out the tune “Sharkfin,” and I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.
As Band of Horses took the stage, I couldn’t help but notice that they all had beards, so I knew it’d be a great jamboree of a time. They opened the show with the most dreaded equipment failure of all–the microphone failure. I’m not talking about the mic just not working, I’m talking about Ben Bridell being shocked not once, but twice. Apparently, having a beard is an attractor of females and electric currents. The mic was replaced, Ben soundchecked with the word “syphilis,” and then he proclaimed that “Pomona gave me syphilis.” This opened the flood gates for people to yell various STDs at the stage throughout the night. The best example was when Ben gave thanks for clapping and an audience member yelled back a boisterous, “Ha! Clap!”
Ben has had a new backing band since the last time I had seen BOH, but the most noticeable addition was the keyboardist, because he also provides a magnificent vocal harmonization with Ben. Towards the end of the show, two members of the Drones joined BOH on stage and played the most violent tambourine ever witnessed. They beat the crap out of that thing with various objects including a drum stick, a fake axe, and a pool stick. Overall they put on a rousing performance, left the entire crowd satisfied, and hopefully remained STD free.
Memorable highlights: “Is There a Ghost,” “Great Salt Lake,” “The Funeral,” “Monsters,” “The First Song,” “Weed Party,” “No One’s Gonna Love You,” “Ode To LRC,” “Detlef Schrempf,” “The General Specific,” and “Islands On the Coast.”
One added note: outside, the band’s stylish tour bus displayed the tour sponsorship of Microsoft’s MP3 player; however, inside the venue you would have thought that Apple’s iPhone was the real sponsor. Not once did I hear Ben instruct the crowd to “get out your iPhones and wave ’em in the air like you just don’t care,” but that’s what took place all night long. How many iPhone pictures must one take before being satisfied? I’m aware you have an iPhone sir, now put it away so that I may enjoy this show without seeing your stupid pseudo shutter-closing graphic!
Owl & Bear Downloads
This show – Band of Horses – November 26, 2007
Band of Horses – September 28, 2007
Band of Horses – August 11, 2006