Local Love: Birdmonster at Bottom of the Hill 1/22/10

Now, for what seems like the last month or so (but likely just over a week), the entire San Francisco Bay Area has been one big, soggy, sad, cloudy mess. Perhaps that's why those who braved the elements to check out Birdmonster's show on Friday at The Bottom of The Hill were rewarded with more than the usual amount of revelry and companionship. Live music, much like family dinners and sporting events, is one of the world's great community-building events. The intimacy of the venue, coupled with Birdmonster's bright and energetic performance reaffirmed why the group is not only an SFCritic favorite, but has a loyal local fan base.

Their music is a polished, but genuine take on indie rock Americana. Strong songwriting paired with everything from a full-strength rock band, to the most minimalist use of mandolin, makes Birdmonster the kind of band you reach out to on a rainy day. It probably doesn't hurt that all four are extraordinarily easy on the eyes.


Playing a mixed set from their newest release Blood Memory as well as previous albums, the boys took to the stage Friday night without holding back. The palpable energy both with each other and the audience, brought a strength and authenticity to their material that is impossible to record. They look like they are genuinely enjoying each other and playing music for you. "Yuma", sounded downright excellent live, a track that was, shall we say is not my favorite on Blood Memory. Another favorite of the evening was "I Might Have Guessed", which was made even more honest, emotional and stand-out-awesome by vocalist Pete Arcuni's alt-country crooning in-person. Between bassist Justin Tenuto jumping across the stage and the audience bouncing in return, the fun taking place was palpable.

No matter who you are, there is a 96.5% probability that at The Bottom of The Hill you will run into your best buddy/co-worker/someone that went to your high school. While this could be a drawback depending on your point of view, it does make Bottom of the Hill a cozy, convivial place to drink, be merry, and celebrate good music with new and old friends. It also made it the perfect setting for Birdmonster's intimate, silly, yet impressive performance.

If you missed it (or didn't get enough the first time) Birdmonster will be returning to Bottom of the Hill February 19, 2010 for an exciting lineup featuring Girl Band. And you should be there. Doors at 8pm, 21+, $10.

A&R: The Music Submissions

Woozy Viper - Woozy Viper

Woozy Viper is what you would call a palate-cleanser. Kansas-born and bred brothers Luke and Mitch Meseke recorded a lo-fi 12 song debut, put it up for free download with nothing but some seriously simple album art. It is an album of back-to-basics rock and roll songs, two scruffy vocalists, and tin can percussion. They sing songs about paying the rent, about wanting nice cars, and girls. They're the kind of rough and twangy songs that hearken back to a simpler time before "indie rock" was nearly synonymous with a heavy use of synthesizers (not that that's a bad thing). The songs are stylish and classic without seeming overly referential. For every song that overtly sounds like The Beatles or Johnny Cash, there are hints of Kurt Cobain's anguished drawl (on "The Switchblade Swing") or Sublime's plucky ska baselines (like "Dirty Rat"). They're a little bit country, a little Rolling Stones, and all-around enjoyable.

Sounds Like: The Kings of Leon not taking themselves so seriously. Also the song "One of These Days" really, really sounds like Spinal Tap's "Gimme Some Money".
Listen To: Speaking in Tongues, Woah Baby

Kidd Russell - The Dash

Kidd Russell's debut EP The Dash is a little confusing. It is predominantly of the hip hop persuasion, and certainly sprinkled with influences of hard rock (Korn, Slipknot maybe) and a little reggae. While the lyrics are earnest, the vocals certainly aren't great (a little flat) and the beats leave much to be desired. Each song seems to stand on its own, to cater to its own agenda rather than work together to create a cohesive sound. The EP's self-proclaimed star is "Dear Shooter," an emotional outcry against gun violence that calls to mind Eminem's haunting track "Stan," but it lacks a memorable hook and the raw emotion that made that song so important. A different, more rock-influenced track is "Rush (Rock Remix)" which is apparently hd.net theme song for Ring of Honor wrestling. It sounds a little like Kid Rock, and brought back all fondest memories I have of Limp Bizkit (of which there are very few). While it's clear that Kidd Russell has diverse interests, and enthusiastically includes them in his music, The Dash still feels a little rough and disorganized.

Sounds Like: A college football player turned musician (hint: that's what it is).
Listen To: Rush (Rock Remix), Dear Shooter

A&R: The Music Submissions

Foreign Born - Person to Person

Foreign Born is a (domestic!) four piece out of Los Angeles. The boys joined forces in 2003, were scooped up by uber-indie label Secretly Canadian, and released Person to Person, their second full length. It's a catchy, sunny and upbeat album. It is perfect, on first listen, to imagine putting several tracks on your playlist for a road trip up the coast, but with enough torment, density, and lush arrangements to keep it from being a once-round wonder. While comparisons to Grizzly Bear and The Walkmen are not necessarily unfounded, they're also not quite informative. There are moments of African percussion and cowbells followed by 80s U2-esque drum beats with haunting vocals to match, and airy guitar rifts. The songs feel vintage, without feeling trite or precious. These are tightly recorded pop ballads with danceable beats and stuck-in-your head choruses. Though released in 2009, Person to Person is certain to put Foreign Born at the forefront of this year's indie discussion. Catch them locally at Rickshaw Stop 2/24 with Free Energy as part of the Noise Pop festival.

Sounds Like: A West Coast answer to Vampire Weekend
Listen To: Wander Aimlessly, Vacationing People, Early Warnings

All My Friends - We Have No Faith in Machines EP

All My Friends is a Canadian synth-pop duo from Vancouver BC. The two eagerly site their major influences as Passion Pit, MGMT, Phoenix and The Postal Service. It is not hard to hear how these influences come through on their sparse Microkorg-produced EP. Well, The Postal Service part anyway. The boys certainly know their way around a synthesizer. Unfortunately, it lacks the layered arrangements, lyrical complexity, and production polish that make these groups excellent. Things look up for them on the ever so slightly more complex "Tonight Happens", a little bit grittier New Wave-influenced track, and "Secret Smiles", which could be a big dance-pop hit if it had more than a chorus. With the recent explosion of Owl City, that inexplicably popular baron of annoying emo electronica, it is not surprising that more boys would want to churn out basement albums made only with a synthesizer and a laptop. While All My Friends have wisely refrained from an embrace of auto-tune, tracks like "Stay" and "Another Morning" fall in that category.

Sounds Like: Owl City at worst, The Postal Service at best.
Listen To: Tonight Happens, Secret Smiles