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Society of Rockets, Touched by a Janitor @ Hemlock Tavern 02/16/08 |
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Monday, March 10 2008 |
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SOCIETY OF ROCKETS
TOUCHED BY A JANITOR
NAKED
The Hemlock Tavern
Feb. 17, 2008
So this is kind of embarrassing, but I had it in my mind that I was gonna go see The Dry Spells, Leyna Noel, and Foot Foot at the Hemlock on February 16th. For some reason, I had it in my head that the 16th was a Sunday. Yes, insert snickers here, as the 16th was in fact a Saturday. I realized this on Sunday morning, the 17th, no less... Sigh...
So, I checked the Hemlock website, saw that some local bands were playing anyway, and decided fuck it: Why not? The show could be a fortuitous discovery of new bands I would've never heard otherwise.
As it turns out, my hope of joyous new finds was only partially met. But I was at the Hemlock, so I had a great time regardless. God I love that bar.
Society of Rockets
The first band was San Francisco locals Society of Rockets. I only caught the last two songs of their set, so I should say right off that I didn't have much to go on. Upon first glance, there was a lot to like about Society of Rockets: they had an accordion player wearing a fez, which stole my heart instantly, a xylophone, a lap steel guitar, lots of percussion, and to top it off the entire band looked like software engineers and computer experts busting loose on their big rock & roll night out. It was an endearing sight.
However, despite all these things to like about Society of Rockets, their music was not a swaying factor. To me they sounded like your average college jam band, only with the smart kids in the band, instead of frat boys, jocks, or hippies. Nice but predictable chord structures, catchy yet un-engaging melodies, and music so safe your parents are bound to like it. They were very passionate about the music they played, which was fun to watch, but ultimately I just thought they sounded like an urban, newer version of Dave Matthews.
Next up was Touched By a Janitor, also from San Francisco. I wasn't expecting much from this band as to be honest I am shallow and thought their band name was kind of, well, silly. But boy did I stand corrected....
Touched by a Janitor
This band is fucking great! They have that 90s heavy heavy drony rock that merges indie, punk, stoner metal, and prog all into one ear-piercing symphony. I was envious of their guitar tones and it's just so hard not to be seduced by innovative alternate tunings – especially with guitarists who play like they really know what the fuck they are doing. With just 2 guitars & drums, Touched By a Janitor bring the rock, and they bring it well. Rodan, Shellac, and Slint are bands that come to mind for a quick "sounds like" comparison.
It's not so much that Touched By a Janitor are doing what no other band has done before, but it's been a long time since this kind of music has been played, and played so well. This band made going to the Hemlock on a Sunday night a worthwhile trip and I highly recommend you check them out. Although be warned, you do see one of the guitarists doing that hard rock neck lunge thing, but the music is good enough to make you see past it.
Finishing off the night was a band called Naked. Again, based on their band name my hopes weren't high and this time I wasn't as shockingly wrong as I had been with the previous band. I would've bet my life that Naked were from LA based on their look and stage presence, but apparently they're from Olympia.
I dunno, I just wasn't feeling the vibe from this band collectively. Their songs weren't bad and they even had, dare I say, some infectious grooves. But after 8 minutes I'm ready for a song to end and not be followed by another 10 minute song… Unless you’re Sigur Rós or Amiina. I liked the bass lines - they reminded me of the MC5 and how the groove gets laid out early and nicely. That was a plus. The guitars and drums had a kind of shoegaze/post-shoegaze feel to them, which was cool too. But I dunno...
I can't really put my finger on exactly what didn't move me about Naked's set, but all I can say is that it didn't move me. I think if their songs were more dynamic that would've helped. Few bands can pull off lengthy songs with one central bass groove and full scale wanking guitar solos while keeping the song sounding new and exciting. It's a tough feat. I liked the general idea of what Naked were trying to do, but it just didn't hit the mark.
[Jen Chochinov]
[STREAM] Touched by a Janitor: Various Tracks
[STREAM] Society of Rockets: Various Tracks
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Shows you must check out
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Friday April 25th
Cafe Du Nord
Wooden Shjips, Citay, Jenny Hoyston
Thursday May 8th
Hemlock Tavern
Dark Meat, Maus Haus, Pigeons or Panthers
Thursday May 15th
Bottom of the Hill
Social Studies, BOAT, The Attachments
Saturday May 17th
Great American Music Hall
Built For Sea, Overview, Silian Rail, The Hundred Days
Wednesday May 21st
Thee Parkside - WIRETAP MUSIC EVENT!!
Paranoids, Better Than Aliens, The Pope of Yes, Daddy Crimbo
Go to full Calendar
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