Max Bemis of Say Anything - more photos... photo by jeff barringer - staff photographer |
by jeff barringer
club kingsnake staff
Say Anything
Hometown: Los Angeles, Ca.
http://www.sayanythingmusic.com
Say Anything Concert Photos
Wednesday April 9th, 2008
La Zona Rosa (Austin, Texas)
Also:
Manchester Orchestra,
Eli "Paperboy" Reed & The True Loves,
Weatherbox
Fronted by Max Bemis, the Los Angeles based six piece power-pop/emo rockers Say Anything brought the end of their tour through Austin with a stop at La Zona Rosa last week. With a little help from our friends over at Direct Events I was invited up to shoot and cover the show.
With an early door, and some un-cooperative dogs conspiring against me, as well as Austin's notorious traffic I arrived late, just catching the last song by Weatherbox. That was a shame too, because they sounded really interesting. Based out of San Diego they are fronted by Brian Warren, ex of Mister Valentine and are worth checking out next time they come to town. I know I will try to be there.
Eli "Paperboy" Reed - more photos... photo by jeff barringer - staff photographer |
Next on the bill was certainly "odd man out" for a rock showcase. Eli "Paperboy" Reed and the True Loves are an R&B throwback to the sixties, sounding like the songs coming from the A.M. radio that I listened too as a kid growing up in Indianapolis. I was always a bit different and while all the kids in the neighborhood were listening to the Beach Boys, The Monkees and The Beatles, and watching Dick Clark's American Bandstand, I was always more of a fan of Don Cornelius and Soul Train, and I have always been a sucker for a good horn section. I grew up listening to more Aretha Franklin, Sam & Dave, Isley Brothers, and James Brown than popular rock or pop bands of the day.
I had run into Ryan "Man Hawk" Spraker, the True Love's guitarist while waiting in line for Van Morrison's SXSW set this year and his description of their sound was intriguing. I wish I had caught their SXSW set because these guys blow doors if you have a thing for old soul and R&B. I was just as happy to be able to shoot them on La Zona Rosa's big stage under their excellent light kit though so in the end it worked out for the best. Eli "Paperboy" Reed does kind of look like a paperboy or maybe an accountant, and you just don't expect that kind of soulful voice to be hidden in such a white bread exterior. These guys were definitely my highlight of the night, though they didn't quite seem to be the rock audience's cup of tea. I will probably go out and get their CD this week, and definitely look forward to a return visit in the future.
Andy Hull of Manchester Orchestra - more photos... photo by jeff barringer - staff photographer |
The next band up, Manchester Orchestra, is a band I caught last year in L.A. opening for the Kings of Leon and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club at the Greek Theatre. I was surprised at how well they have built a core audience here in Austin, with many people at the show just for their set, but their sound seems to have found a ready market here. Once again I enjoyed their set quite a bit, and with their richly layered sound they are turning into one of my favorite bands. More mellow than the other bands on the bill, they are more a band to listen to moreso than watch. Their next show will be Coachella on April 27th so check them out if you can fade the heat and the lines.
Closing out the show was L.A. based Say Anything which is a very power pop/emo influenced rock outfit with a high energy stage show. Frontman Max Bemis and crew have a very polished sound and stage act, proving that their time in L.A. has been well spent, though they remind me a lot of the midwestern power punk acts coming out of the Chicagoland era.
All in all it was a good night. Thanks for Trevin at Direct Events for the hook up, and all the gang at La Zona Rosa for keeping my drink filled all night.
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