Thursday, August 24, 2006

May you one day carry me home...

So last night was going to be a quiet night at the apartment, maybe get some things done around there that need to be. However, that didn't' last long. I ended up getting free tickets to head over to Slims to catch The Colour, The Shys, and the Delta Spirit. So after class I headed home, grabbed some food, and headed off to catch the bus to Slims.

Slims is a cool venue, but I had never been there when they had left tables and chairs on the floor. While it was nice to be able to have a place to sit, it was also very weird. I got there right as the Delta Spirit started their set. They are actually from SD and I caught their set at the Beauty Bar down there when they opened for the Duke Spirit. They are a good band, but last night wasn't their best show. Yet, they seemed to be having fun, and laughed a their mistakes off. I felt bad, because there were only like 30 people in the building at the time they played. But they had fun and played a good set. Next up was the Shys. I hadn't heard them before, and was a little surprised by them. Although their music didn't take me by storm, hipster rock that is oh so popular right now ala throwback stuff towards the 70s, their overall performance did. They were having fun, and the crowd, some now standing, seemed to be enjoying them. Apparently they are from LA, which was further enhanced by their look, but I had never heard anything about them before. I would definitely check them out again next time they come through. The headliners of the night were the Colour. Last time I saw them they were promoting Out & About. I enjoyed them that time, thought they had potential. Well this time I wish I could say the same. Their newer material is very 70s rock drawn upon. Maybe it was just my mood, but I had trouble getting into their set, which actually led me to taking off early after watching 45 mins of them. The opening bands seemed to be having fun while they were performing, while the Colour seemed to give off a very arrogant and "we're just here cause we have to be" vibe from the stage. Always nice to get out of the house, especially when its for a free show...

Wednesday, August 23, 2006

Whitewash is Brainwash

So, law school huh? Yup, started that. Definitely a little different than undergrad, but still not horrible, or at least hopefully. It's just gonna take a little shile to get used to and figure out the workings of. First year might be a bitch with all the readings and such, but it's gotta be done.

Our apartment is finally getting itself to come together. I think there are only a couple of boxes and bins of stuff still left in our halls and I think it's mostly mine and Gav's. Hopefully I can find some time this week to get pictures up on the walls and finalize my room. But we'll see.

Yesterday was awesome. School all day was tiring, but afterwards I rushed home, grabbed my brother and Gav and we hopped back on BART and MUNI and headed to Amoeba to see the Mountain Goats. John Darnielle actually did an solo acoustic performance and it was a lot of fun. A ton of people turned out and it seemed like John was having fun, bantering with the audience as well as playin some more obscure older stuff the he mentioned that he hadn't even planned on playing. It was a great vibe and a fun "little" instore.

After that we booked it back home to pick up tickets to the show at the Independent, and Gav and myself once again hopped on BART and Muni and headed back over to Alamo Square district for the show. We got there a little late after detouring to grab some dinner, and unfortunately missed Whispertown 2000. I had wanted to catch them, but alas didn't and will have to next time they head north and play a show. We did arrive just in time for the start of Let's Go Sailing. I've read a lot about this band on the blogs as of late and enjoyed what I'd heard before the show. I wasn't blown away by their performance, however they were working with a handicap, so I'll let it slide. Apparently they lost their chello player, so they had someone filling in, and the singer did mention that she was drugged up on Vicotin apparently, for what I don't know. Overall they were not the tightest band, but definitely will be a force to be watched in the near future. Next was Shapes and Sizes, who are on the Asthmatic Kitty roster. From what I heard before the show, I was interested to check them out, however, was greatly dissappointed. They were kinda sloppy, and have decided that every song needs an organized chaos sort of breakdown that just throws the song off for me. Kinda bummed me out because there seems to be talent there, for me it just needs to be harnessed in the right direction. But the highlight of the night award definitely goes to Oh No! Oh My! This Austin, TX band was absolutely stellar from beginning to end of their set. Apparently there are only three original members and three extra tour members in the band; however, one wouldn't have thought that from their performance. They were all very much on, playing off each other all night. Their set was captivating and even had the medium sized crowd participating with hand claps during a couple times in their set. For me, the best way to describe them is a mix between the flaming lips and broken social scene, with a mix of Austin thrown in for good measure. Gav even asked me at one point during the show, "What label are these guys on?" When I told him they weren't signed he mentioned how they should be now/will be here soon. They are definitely a fun band to see live and I'm glad I got to catch them on this tour.

Well, I guess I'll take a look at what I exactly need to read for my next class today...

Monday, August 14, 2006

And the time is now...

So I finally made it. After weeks and months of planning, I have officially made the move to San Francisco. It has been an intense move, both physically and mentally, but I really think it will be worth it, both long-run and short-run. This city seems to fit me much better than San Diego and/or San Luis Obispo. I am very much a person that likes to go and do things, and there always seems to be something going on here. I mean hell, there was a fucking parade in front of my house today. I'm talkin full on marching band and cars and chicks waving. It was legit, even a police escort...haha. I think I will finally come to one with myself, even though i have found myself many years ago, this experience will allow me to come into my own and fully develop as a person. As for now, I'm gonna crash, but maybe I will update tomorrow.

Wednesday, August 02, 2006

And The Countdown Begins...

It seems that my days have become numbered here in San Diego. It has come down to the last week here and I will be appreciating it to the fullest. San Francisco will be an experience for sure, and definitely one I am looking forward to. It will be refreshing to start a new chapter in my life. Law school will be intense, but worth it in the end, and I'm ultimately quite excited about it.

So in enjoying my final days in SD I have tried to hit up some shows and hang out with friends. Monday I went and saw Harry And the Potters and Draco and the Malfoys play at the Poway Library. It was a fun little show and both bands were great. It was interesting to see the younger kids there, and amazed me how much merch kids buy. These bands are genious for not only making good music that is accepted by both children and adults, but also for tapping this market of music.

After this show I packed some stuff and picked up Matty and we headed out for a little journey. Monday night we stopped in Ventura and partied with Chrissy, this girl that Matty has known for ever, and her friend Lauren Bushey. It was definitely a good time. Next morning we woke up and went to Breakfast at a place called Allisons in Ventura, which was amazing. Then it was off to SLOtown to clean my apartment up a bit and party. We definitely did both. Shoutouts to Lauren and Cathryn in SLO for partyin all night with us.

Got back into SD this afternoon and headed out to the worst venue in SD because Chuck Ragan was playin with Dustin Kensrue. Wow, this show was good. I was surprised to find out it wasn't sold out since I rolled up to the show after the inital start time. I figured the crowd would be horrible because of the venue and because Dustin is the lead singer of Thrice, but I was pleasently surprised that the crowd was decent and respectable. Both Chuck and Dustin played acoustic sets. Chuck's new post-HWM stuff is amazing. His set was short but to the point. I didn't expect him to play California Burritos, but it definitely made my night. Dustin's set was good, a little more new stuff, but most of the other covers and such I had seen him play when he played the Epicentre a few years back. Nonetheless a great show though.

Well, tomorrow I must try to take my iMac in and try to get my phone fixed. Maybe I'll go through some stuff and start packing, but probably not.