May 06, 2008
Rogue Wave
NY2LON Live Reviewby Lauren from San Francisco
I arrived at the Fillmore to find two spots right in the front of line waiting for me due to some real fans who got there a few hours ahead of time that I am lucky enough to know. I feel like, at my age, I deserve that kind of treatment. I had talked to Kristen, singer of Grand Ole Party, earlier and decided she needed a super gift (a St. Christopher visor clip for a band's van is a useful thing). I hadn't really heard the music of GOP, but was very impressed when, a few hours later, I got the chance.
The opening act, Snowblink, was as charming as you can get. This bay area group was led by a nice young lady, Daniela, whom I harassed about many things, insisting that we've met before, and asking her to show off her engagement ring. Almost married, pretty, sings like an angel and has a wireless headset microphone: yep the girl pretty much is livin' the life. Not to mention the rest of her band are pretty much just as charming, as they rock instruments like sticks, tambourines, a shared cymbal. For one song, a basket of bells was passed into the crowd and everyone grabbed one (or a few, as was my desire) and rang them. A fishing pole with ribbon was also utilized during the set. I'll definitely be seeing this band again.
Grand Ole Party took the stage a little after 9:30. I was already tired at this point (aging, remember?) but got re-energized. The San Diego three piece - simply guitar, bass and drums - really got the crowd going, whom I assume had not heard of this act. The band is fresh off a UK tour with Rilo Kiley, played their last date with Rogue Wave that night, and will be back in less than a month with the Fiery Furnaces. The band probably draws comparison to the Furnaces, and probably the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, as it is simple, somewhat early rock and rollish, and woman led. Frontwoman Kristen pulled a Don Henley and sang with much emotion and energy (way better than anyone this side of Henley) while playing drums. How she can do both at the same time is a mystery. Someone in the crowd near me muttered that it was a gimmick - if so, it was working because I, and my hard to please red head friend, were pretty much won over. The smoke machine and fan behind Kristen added a great effect, even though from my position in front of a monitor she kind of looked like a floating head singing into a headset microphone. It was two for two good opening acts that night. At the end of their set, I asked the bassist for his set list, and he said, "sure but you won't be able to read it." When I looked at it later, I discovered it was just a bunch of letters on a notecard.
By the time Rogue Wave hit the stage, I was beat from a long day, and from all the previous dancing. We giggled at how cute Rogue Wave's older men vibe was, especially as we noted their guitarist's horn rimmed, ben Sherman jacket wearing style. He was the best thing on stage, making faces, jumping around, being older, and he was only five feet away. I was happy to hear some of my favorite songs, like "Medicine Ball" and crowd pleaser "Publish My Love," relative early, that way I could go home and not feel cheated. I was about to leave when I heard Zach Rogue asking Daniela to return to the stage, and one of my favorite men in town, John Vanderslice, to come sing a song with them. No words can describe my love for V-slice, I always love running into him... I made sure to holla for him, and I also got Daniela to show off her ring a little more. Despite everything the show was a little sad for me; this is the first show in the bay area since Evan died. From sfweekly's blog: "After an Elephants show at the Starry Plough in Berkeley on December 20 he slept at the home of Graham Lebron from Rogue Wave. When the basement furnace caught fire he woke everyone up in the house, but tragically was not able to make it to safety himself and died from his injuries three days later in the hospital."
Rogue Wave's Myspace
Rogue Wave's Website
Snowblink's Myspace
Snowblink's Website
Posted by ny2lon at May 6, 2008 10:17 AM
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