The Mae Shi, Yea Big + Kid Static, The Fuckin' Kennies, and Pizza! @ Echo Curio (Fiend Folio Night) 07-20-08

We set a new record for the door at Echo Curio on Wednesday night.

We drew a crowd of faces that were mostly new to me, and that's the biggest compliment. I under-promoted the show because the venue is so small. We filled the joint anyway, not because anyone gives a shit about what blog did whatever, but because the bands selected to play were virtuous of talent. Thanks so much for everyone who came. It was a gift for four such terrific acts to allow Classical Geek Theatre to associate itself with them.


It's all a glorious blur to me... some vague impressions and memories...


The room was already at near capacity by the time Pizza! finished the opening set. Their bassist is still injured but the band has found its rhythm in making it work anyway with midi sequencers and limited bass playing. Truly, it was the best I've heard them sound. They keep getting better and no obvious end is in sight. They'll be a residency band by early next year I bet.

"Repress Yourself" (courtesy of Elaine Layabout)





The Fuckin' Kennies (Tucson, AZ) had a short line to buy shirts and CDs after they played. (Did you know that Kenny moved to Tucson on a whim, simply because he heard they filmed Revenge of the Nerds there? He's not even a huge fan of the movie!) Their experimental / garage / punk / whatever jingles and jams earned the respect of the crowd, and Kenny's humor earned their love. I heard people talking afterwards. We're gonna bring 'em back.


"I'm Fuckin' Kennies" and "Klaus" (courtesy of Elaine Layabout)








Yea Big + Kid Static (Chicago, IL) played their first-ever show in Los Angeles. They absolutely slayed and had a small dance party at the front of the room. Independent hip-hop has become so redundant over the last five years, but YB + KS injected the genre with ferocious energy, genuine spirit, and masterful skill. Their set was the creative highlight of the evening.


"Mega Man" (courtesy of Elaine Layabout)












By the time The Mae Shi were playing, to breathe a breath was to drink a cup of sweat. Somebody else, I believe from the crowd, decided he would help Brad Breeck play drums. I could barely watch them because someone actually had to run crowd control in an art gallery. (Though "Young Marks" sounded AMAZING.) The entire room was moshing for the whole set. Remarkably, not a single work of art was damaged.

This video of "Vampire Beats" should give you an idea:


"Vampire Beats" and "Lamb and the Lion" (courtesy of Elaine Layabout)











Fiend Folio II will happen. I don't have a date yet, and it will probably be longer than two months down the road. The format might be analogous (Huge local act + next big things + out of towners) or it might be a different theme. (Like a shoegaze night or something) But we're gonna do it.

At the end of the night. Utterly exhausted. And very moist.