Isn’t that a great name for a band?
For Christmas just about all Nathaniel wanted was cash so he could go to shows, so that’s what he got. Problem is I don’t want to be spending money for me to go to shows now that Daniel’s unemployed, and he doesn’t have a driver’s license. Since Dillon wouldn’t go with him to see this band he wanted to see, Animals As Leaders, Nathaniel sprang for my ticket and I took him.
The show was at the Whiskey-A-Go-Go. Famous venue (the Doors played there!) but totally lame. Any venue on the Sunset Strip is lame…but the Whiskey packs like 8 bands on a bill and lets them all play about 4 songs. And some of the bands actually pay the venue to be able to play there.
Some thoughts during the opening bands.
First band (that we saw): Will someone just stick a fork in my eyeball already?
Second band: Bubblegum metal…How much more cookie cutter can you get?…Can I stick a fork in his eyeball?
Third band: Closed my eyes and almost went to sleep.
Animals As Leaders were awesome. I wasn’t sure what to expect since I didn’t know anything about them, but they’re doing stuff I’ve never seen anyone else do. Two guitarists on 8-string guitars, with a drummer, and no vocals. Their songs are proggy/mathy. They have heavy moments and they have soft moments. There were a couple laptops in use too, for samples I think. Or drum loops or something.
It’s always awesome to see a black guy in a metal band. And he rips on guitar.
The crowd loved them, which I was a little surprised by, since they’d also loved some of the previous bands that were like torture to me. There was even a big pit going, which was interesting—I don’t really see their music as something to mosh to.
Sad part—one of the guitarists had intrument/equipment problems, and it took awhile for him to get it fixed. They only played five songs!
Here’s what they sound like:
February 9th, 2010 at 10:05 am
Yes, that’s a great name for a band. Love your descriptions of the first couple bands.
February 22nd, 2010 at 12:52 pm
Awesome! Animals as Leaders have created some of the best music to ever grace my eardrums. I saw them at Elva’s Fiesta Club in South Bend, Indiana and I was smiling and laughing through their whole set because I was having so much fun. It’s really great to see a large and varied population appreciate such skilled and creative music.