Hey, Thomas. You're suppose to be on stage, mon ami.
It feels like I'm a big blabbermouth when it comes to my adventures in San Francisco and my appreciation/support for Phoenix. So this post will be more of the same old, same old. San Fran was amazing, blah blah blah. Phoenix is the best live act that you're not seeing, blah, blah, blah. How's that for a ringing endorsement?
It was happenstance that my trip corresponded to Phoenix's performance at Slim's. My mission when I landed: get to hotel, freshen up, head to downtown on the BART, take bus to Amoeba on Haight St., throw down some cheddar at Amoeba, take bus to Slim's, have a good time and hitchhike back to hotel. The night sort of kinda of worked out that way.
When I got out of the BART system at the Civic Center, I was met with a bunch of party people coming to and from the San Francisco Love Fest, which is a rave/gay pride/music & cultural fest -- a lot of glitter around me. Basically, I'm trying to figure out the bus system during all this chaos around me. I try not to look and act like a tourist, but I'm standing there with my map looking around trying to find the correct bus to take. Many of the city's homeless people tried to help me out. Side note: S.F. seems to have a large-than-normal homeless population.
Anyway, I got on a bus that said Haight Street and hoped that it stopped near Amoeba. I got off at the legendary intersection Haight-Ashbury and you know what's there -- a GAP! The revolution will be wearing khakis. Found Amoeba, got some goods (save it for another post) and again, tried to figure out the bus system. I could have easily taken a taxi, but $1.50 seemed like a better deal then $15 bucks.
I took the first bus that came and got off somewhat near where Slim's is located, which is in the southeast of the city. It's located in mostly a nightclub area among small warehouses and garages.
Slim's itself is a very comfortable space. It's one large open room with a large bar along the far wall and back of the room. There's a small balcony in the back where you can order food. I've always found it odd to have a food at a music venue -- "I'll have a quesadilla with my indie pop." Draft beer selection was large and reasonable at $5 a pop. Importantly, the room sounded great. The music doesn't bounce around. The only drawback is that there are columns in the middle of the floor that could block your view.
Now the show: another beginning to end jubilant good time atmosphere. You can't go wrong on a Saturday night in any city in America with a band that brings the party every time.
Setlist (a little different from previous shows):
- Napoleon Says
- Long Distance Call
- Run Run Run
- Consolation Prizes
- Rally
- Lost & Found
- Courtesy Laughs
- I'm An Actor
- Everything is Everything
- North
- Sometimes in the Fall
- If I Ever Feel Better
- Funky Squaredance
- Encore: Too Young
- Second to None
My kudos to the Slim's crowd for being on their game as well. Everyone was dancing and have a good time. When Thomas jumped in the crowd at the end, the center became one big jumping around party.
I have to devote some space to La Rocca, who opened up for Phoenix on their brief small club tour in the summer. I got a chance to listen to their new album, The Truth, produced by Tony Hoffer, and it's a vast improvement over their EP. It taps into that mid-70s southern guitar rock, think The Band meets Springsteen. They played a solid set, smooth transitions and easy going. They also brought their A game. Check out some of their tunes on myspace, especially the rolling "Sketches (20 Something)."
Unfortunately, they had to split after the show due to keyboardist Nick Haworth illness and ended up bailing on the rest of the tour. They're picking up in the U.S. with Birdmonster this month and the next.
After the gig, met up with the Phoenix guys to hang and chit chat. As always, they are very friendly and easy going. My man Christian saw me standing up front during the show and gave me the "what the hell are you doing here?" look. Thomas is a good guy, easy to talk to and B.S. with. As always, my policy is to keep private conversations/adventures to myself. Not going to be a Perez Hilton or something like that.
The night ended at 2:00am (5am EST) for me, but I had to battle other club goers for 30 minutes for the sparse taxis in the area. I ended up walking towards the center of the city to find a taxi. On the way home, I thought to myself after a memorable night in a new city, "Damn, I gots it good, youknowhatimsayin'?"
By coincidence, I ran into guitarist Laurent on Friday after the band appeared on Late Night with Conan O'Brien. I swear I am not stalking them.
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