To The Maxx

i took in a lovely rock show last night at the famed roxy on the sunset strip. let my tell you about it, painting pictures with words and using actual pictures to supplement those word-pictures. perhaps there’ll be some moving pictures as well.

the show was a record release party for rooney, with support from hello stranger and coconut records. it was a fun evening, made all the more exciting by the fact that all the bands that played are buddies of mine, from the high school days and beyond.

first up was a triumphant set by hello stranger, replete with new songs and a new lineup.

setlist (new songs italicized for her pleasure): robody/drive it home/tienes nada/grab it/we used to talk/surrender/big boots

the usually four-piece lineup was augmented by a new keyboard/synth/organ man named john kirby who added crazy dynamics with his arsenal of toys, as well as by two killer backup singers. i would love to see this expanded lineup stick around for a while, seven peeps on stage made for quite the spectacle. the new songs sounded ridiculously huge, rendering the bulk of the (mostly-teen) crowd wide-eyed, maybe even overwhelmed. but kids are impressionable and they cheered like mad between songs. success!

some photos for ye:
juliette + keytar + big hat = sunset strip, 1988.
joachim, in the background, keeps it strictly topanga canyon, 1974.

ben and juliette get blurry.

smily john in the back and jared avec big strange guitar.

a signature prince tamboraca (tambourine/maraca) used by one of the backup singers. crazy.

next to take the stage was unannounced “special guest” coconut records a.k.a. jason schwartzman, for his live debut. the set was super short, which is a bit of a drag…. i would have loved to hear “it’s not you it’s me” but it’s all good.

jason played his first song solo acoustic, then dropped the guitar and played lead singer while “the best backing band in the world,” the coconuts (a.k.a. rooney, a.k.a. jason’s brother robert’s band), took instrumental duties. they did “minding my own business” and “west coast.” then jason sang the disco-fueled title-track, “nighttiming,” while dancing with a flashlight, backed by the album track (with original vocals) playing on his ipod (very “the management”). he also showed off coconut records canvas tote bags, which were available @ the merch booth.

here’s a video from the show (not the best sound quality, but whatevs) of “Minding My Own Business.”

and, yes, some pictures of coconut records, why not…

jason

jason, robert and taylor or “coconut records and the coconuts”

jason again.

rooney returned to the stage to finish the evening off (as themselves) and they succeeded in whipping the crowd into a frenzy. it was a sight to behold. the tunes from the new record, “calling the world”, sound badass live. i’m partial to the e.l.o. and supertramp vibe of “Are You Afraid?” and, of course, to the first single, “When Did Your Heart Go Missing,” which is on my new mix.

three of the five men of rooney.

if you didn’t get to go to this show… they’re taking it on the road (minus coconut records, which seems like it was a one-time only deal). hello stranger and rooney are heading out on the road together this summer.

TOUR DATES:
Aug 13 2007, Irving Plaza, New York, New York
Aug 16 2007, Stone Pony, Asbury Park, New Jersey
Aug 17 2007, The Trocadero, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Aug 18 2007, The Recher Theater, Towson, Maryland
Aug 20 2007, Rex Theater, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Aug 21 2007, Headliners, Toledo, Ohio
Aug 23 2007, House Of Blues , Chicago, Illinois
Aug 24 2007, The Canopy Club, Urbana, Illinois
Aug 26 2007, The Eagles Club, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

MYSPACES:
hello stranger
coconut records
rooney