All posts by chris maroulakos

Review: Bob Log III, Jail Weddings & The Glossines; May 15, 2010; Casbah, San Diego

Photos by T. Loper

If you go to a lot of concerts — as many of you do — a certain malaise begins to set in. Even if you’re discerning enough to attend only worthwhile shows, after a while they all start to feel the same. There are the lackluster opening acts, the wallet-draining drinks, and the way the tallest guy in the place inevitably decides to stand — or worse, sway — directly in front of you. After a while, the ringing in your ears and the joint pain from standing for three hours can threaten to drown out an otherwise fine music experience.

But then there are the shows that remind you why you go out — and they snap you out of your funk. Saturday’s show at the Casbah was just such an event, thanks to powerhouse performances by precocious punk divas The Glossines, L.A. Spector-pop ensemble Jail Weddings, and Arizona blues oddity Bob Log III. Continue reading…

Interview: Shout Out Louds

Photo credit: Christian Coinbergh

Shout Out Louds could have been just another casualty of the sophomore slump. Their second album, 2007’s Our Ill Wills, was met with a tepid reception by fans and critics, who criticized it for being over-produced and lifting too heavily from bands like The Cure.

Those complaints have been silenced with Work, the Swedish band’s triumphant return to form. Shout Out Louds have never sounded this driven or vital, thanks to some captivating, no-nonsense arrangements, adhesive melodies, and Phil Ek’s gleaming production.

San Diegans will get to experience Work standouts “Walls” (MP3), “Fall Hard,” and “Show Me Something New” on May 22nd, when the rejuvenated band joins Freelance Whales and Ok Go for an afternoon show at House of Blues. Tickets for the event can be purchased here.

We sat down with multi-instrumentalist Bebban Stenborg to discuss Shout Out Louds’ revamped approach. Continue reading…

Review: Erika Davies; April 24, 2010; Queen Bee, San Diego

Erika Davies has a voice like a butterfly. It flutters about, agile and light as the air, clearing entire octaves with no visible effort.

Her performances are distinctly old school, from her vintage microphone to her penchant for evening gowns. Even her voice is retro — evoking Ella Fitzgerald and Édith Piaf but never paling in comparison — and it wouldn’t be surprising if her vocal chords were made out of vinyl. She’s one of the brightest diamonds in the San Diego ruff, and at Saturday’s monthly Sight and Sound event at Queen Bee, she was allowed to shine. Continue reading…

Video Premiere: The Silent Comedy – “Footnotes”

The Silent Comedy may be known for their foot-stomping, barn-burning concerts, but let it never be said that they’re afraid to show their tender side. Case in point: the video for “Footnotes,” the closing track from their newly-released album Common Faults, brought to you exclusively by your friendly neighborhood Owl and Bear.

Comprised largely of behind-the-scenes footage of the band, “Footnotes” is a rare and intimate look into the lives of not just The Silent Comedy, but professional musicians in general. From the recording studio to the stage to the long van ride home, the Kevin and Rebecca Joelson-directed video captures the weary beauty behind each fleeting moment.

Singer/bassist Joshua Zimmerman was overwhelmed when he saw the finished product. “The recording of Common Faults was a drawn-out process, so it is strange to see that period of time compressed into several minutes,” Zimmerman said. “We went through dramatic changes and learned a lot over the months that it took us to make the record.” For more insight into the making of the album, check out our recent interview with the band.

The Silent Comedy will be celebrating the fruits of their labor tonight at El Dorado with a special, band-hosted Mustache Party. The 21+ event will feature screenings of “Footnotes” and the new “’49” video, photos by Style Shark, giveaways, and various other whiskey-fueled, facial-hairy surprises. The event starts at 9pm, so head on over to El Dorado and knock one back with the boys.