DC ROCK CLUB
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Wednesday, June 03, 2009

Summer School

School of Seven Bells
It's a busy week of rock for me. Tonight I'm attending an Austin City Limits taping of The Heartless Bastards followed by the Passion Pit/Harlem Shakes show at Emo's. Later in the week it's Bonnie "Prince" Billy. Last night I saw three bands I knew little about prior to the show: Balmorhea, School of Seven Bells, and Black Moth Super Rainbow.

I'm not quite sure how to categorize Balmorhea. Indie classical? It's a mix of classical and experimental acoustic folk that features guitar, percussion, piano, cello, upright bass and wordless vocals. The result is lush and beautiful. Not unexpected for a band named after a tranquil state park. I guess it could be called moody and luckily it fit my mood perfectly. They were my favorite band of the night.

Next up was School of Seven Bells. I'm not a big fan of guitar-electronica unless it's by Lambda Lambda Lambda but the band is quite appealing (I mean, did you see the ladies in the picture above?!). The band is fronted by the oh-so-easy-on-the-eyes Deheza sisters with Benjamin Curtis, formally of Secret Machines, on guitar. When I first listened to them online many of the songs sounded similar and without distinction. In concert though you notice the differences in each song. Some were fuzzed out with lots of shoegazer guitar, some were trippy and psychedelic, while others were pure dream pop featuring the lovely harmonies of the Deheza sisters. Their overall sound isn't one I usually gravitate to. I prefer old fashioned drums and bass over Casio keyboards, laptops, and drum machines. However, I left respecting the talent of the band and could see why they packed The Mohawk with fans on a Tuesday night.

I didn't stick around for much of the Black Moth Super Rainbow show. I need to pace myself this week. They kicked things off with a hysterical video about their fans featuring Brian Posehn (best known for his roles on The Sarah Silverman Show and Just Shoot Me). I searched online for a clip of the video but it's no where to be found. Oh well. You'll just have to trust me when I say it was really funny.

Tomorrow: a review of The Heartless Bastards.

7 comments:

Jimbromski said...

I am going to destroy you and your Twitter

PREPARE TO DIE FUCKER

that is all

Jumbo Slice said...

Huh? This was a Twitter-free review. Just the way you like it.

BTW, knowing you like bands such as Ladytron and Metric, I think you'd appreciate School of Seven Bells. Right in your wheelhouse.

that is all.

Unknown said...

more like school of seven boners.

Jimbromski said...

sorry dunno what came over me

DM is 2 for 2 in as many days, last night he said "White Rabbits? More like White Dudes." The man is a 21st century Oscar Wilde.

ps the original death threat is still on, once it's out there I can't retract it. that's policy and even I cannot change policy.

Jumbo Slice said...

I understand the binding nature of a Rock Club fatwa. As Viva Voce says, "we don't fuck around."

As a non-tweeter, you'll appreciate this t-shirt. It sums it up perfectly.

sacklunch said...

Since we are talking about boners, I have to share my name for a place/store that makes and sells wooden caskets. "Mourning Wood"

I thought that was a pretty good one.

Jumbo Slice said...

I just noticed sacklunch finally has his own icon/photo/thingee.