Like some kinda fangirl, I became more than a little giddy when I heard that my favourite swirly heavy were riding into town. Having been introduced to Dead Meadow a few years ago by Mr Ward, they fast headed for the top of my list of must-see bands whenever they're around.
Having sneaked a couple of guestlists off a very benevolent Howard Local, I was gutted to hear my dear friend Blondie wouldn't be accompanying me due to family commitments (she's rather partial to heavy too), so at the last minute, I invited my successor to Disgracelands, the lovely Andreina.
First up, Wolf People. I really like these fellas - they seem to incorporate the right amount of guitars, noise and denim which suits me nicely. Bit of a shame they lost the flute guy who used to stand on one leg (now where have I seen that before...?), but great nonetheless.
Next up, Duke Garwood. I've already waxed lyrical about him right here, following his support of my darling Mr Lanegan a few weeks ago. He had a couple of techy hitches, but kept a smile on his face whilst playing some lovely dark country blues. His drummer is a very cool, older bearded chap who knocks his skins about beautifully.
And so to the main attraction, incorporating their new album, with the first UK screening of their film "Three Kings" as a backdrop. If I'm honest, the boys took me so far away with the fairies whilst they played, I hardly noticed the footage, which seemed to consist of them wandering around in the desert wearing tie-dyed vests, aviator shades and flares (sigh...Stephen McCarty). My eyes were closed quite a bit actually, apart from the minute when an überfan tried some hilarious crowdsurf move, with absolutely no takers to support him. NONE. Very funny. Also, it was the birthday of pisshead short-sighted bassist Steve, and the band seemed to be having a ball. They were truly amazing - when they went into what I only know as "Untitled Bonus Track" off Feathers, I think I may have gone into a psych vortex (maybe).
Got roped into giving a few lifts after the gig, so as we hung about waiting for Howard and his friend Paul (very familiar looking...turns out he's the older brother of Mister Seven Woods/Thunders Rick), I spoke to singer Jason Simon (sweetheart) and a drunk but very jolly birthday boy Steve. Trivia time, kids - Jason Simon's uncle is none other than David Simon, creator of the HBO brilliance that is The Wire...so, Ladies, we have him to thank for McNulty and Stringer Bell...
Whilst loitering, I also spoke to the creator of a special silkscreen print for the show, Adam Pobiak. I've admired his work before (in fact, he laughed as Blondie and I had once gatecrashed his birthday bash), so I was more than happy to part with a few bob to be the proud owner of this:
Printed on really great quality brown paper (and you know how I love that), with plenty of swirling patterns, big hog bikes, horses, mushrooms - all my favourite stuff! You can see Adam's work here:To summarise - believe I've seen my gig of the year, no kidding. Three Kings indeed.
(Postscript: I went to see Rangda the next night. A supergroup consisting of the individual talents of Ben "Six Organs" Chasny, Sir Richard Bishop and Chris Corsano. Went on my lonesome, got there just in time to see them set up and take the stage. And in parts - superb. And in other parts...well, erm...it was a bit of a racket. Little bit hit-and-miss for me. As discussed with Thee Sonic Assassin, "free jazz" might not quite be my thing. And after Dead Meadow the night before, maybe even Zep would have had a job on getting me going. Actually, strike that - that's just silly talk.)
