I’m often bitching about the live music scene in Long Beach, but have pretty much given up trying to do anything about it. I mean… I’ll help get some bands some gigs in town and I’ll go to most good shows but I just don’t expect there to be too many. But… every so often there’s a good run. Right now we’re in the middle of three great shows in 8 days. The warehouse party last weekend, Howlin Rain a few nights ago, and John Reis’ new band, Night Marchers tonight.
Howlin Rain and Black Mountain were playing at the Troubadour on Tuesday night but Gooch and I ended up taking a trip to San Diego to buy a new ice cream truck (which we should be unveiling at SXSW). By the time we got back from our 8-hour adventure, there was no way I was heading to West Hollywood. When I checked my email the following morning I got a message from Alex that Howlin Rain was going to be playing Que Sera that night. They were the main reason I wanted to go to the Troub show and I couldn’t believe A) they were going to be playing Long Beach and B) I hadn’t heard about it. I instantly sent out a blast to LB homies and told them I’d punch them if they didn’t have a great excuse for missing this show.
Apparently the deal was that LA Record had done and interview with Howlin Rain and they asked if there was any place in Long Beach to play since their tourmates, Black Mountain, had the night off. After a few calls they found a way to get them on the bill for the show that was already scheduled at Que Sera. According to numerous sources, the word was they’d be going on at 9pm Sharp. We didn’t want to miss them so we got their early only to find they were going on third. And, current Long Beach heroes, Crystal Antlers, would follow.
CB Brand kicked things off with a down-tempo, Sweethearts of the Rodeo type set. Next was The West, which was an interesting mix of people on stage. I dug a lot of the songs, they kinda had a Neutral Milk Hotel feel to them and were mostly upbeat. I kept popping in to check them out in between shooting games of pool.
Howlin Rain are fronted by Ethan Miller from Comets on Fire. For anyone that’s ever seen Comets live, you know how they rock like no one else. For Howlin Rain, imagine high energy, bluesy, dirty, 70’s influenced rock music with a front man who shreds on guitar and growls about as much as he sings. Hmmm… maybe you’ll just have to take my word on this. The band only played 5 or 6 six songs because there were still two other bands going on after them and it was getting late. They kicked things off with the lead song off their first self titled LP. The rest of the songs were a mix of tracks off their first album and tracks from their new album Magnificent Fiend that’ll be hitting the streets on March 4th. No matter how much we clapped, whistled, and screamed for an encore, it was useless. The band were breaking down their gear to clear the stage for the next band within a minute after the final song ended.
Crystal Antlers have been one of the most talked about bands coming outta Long Beach for quite some time. I’ve heard their music a few times but, somehow, hadn’t got to witness them live. WOW! or maybe POW! Similar to Howlin’ Rain, they kept their set short and they hit the stage running (so to speak). I’m happy I had brought some cotton balls to use as earplugs cuz it was LOUD. Sometimes bands have so much energy that it over shadows the music. That mighta been the case but it makes perfect sense why so many people are talking about them. The good news is I’m sure it won’t be long before I get to see them again.
With ears ringing and our rock fix filled, we called it a night and I’m pretty sure I feel asleep with a smile that night.
