Show Review: Viva Voce & Silversun Pickups w. Bad Veins - 10/8/06

I've read about Viva Voce and Silversun Pickups for the past couple months but it wasn't until last week that I downloaded an mp3. Thus, I had a pretty surface level understanding of these two bands. As far as I knew, Viva Voce were a kind of blusey, rock duo who often got compared to The White Stripes and Silversun Pickups were an "alterna-rock" band from L.A. who enjoy spacey distortion. After last night, I now know that Viva Voce like to "jam" and Silversun Pickups like to play really loud. A deeper understanding? Maybe not. But a good show? Sure.

Bad Veins opened and played another wonderful set. Ben's keyboard was malfunctioning so he had to improvise and re-interpret the keys on his guitar! Impressive! But it doesn't matter what instrument he's playing because Irene (the reel-to-reel player) does most of the work anyways... Here's a song that actually wasn't affected by the technical difficulties.


Youtube Link

Silversun Pickups were up next. They had that very distinct greasiness that only Los Angelinos have... Still, Ohio/Kentucky was on their side. They even cheered during the opening bass line of "Well Thought Out Twinkles." I was most intrigued by Brian Aubert's voice. He sings kind of like Doug Martsch but then rips into a shriek-ish scream.

Youtube Link

Viva Voce closed out the night. Kevin Robinson, the drummer, was also a guitarist and singer. His versatility was fun to watch and the two of them had a nice repoire. The songs had a confidence to them which I admired. But the truth is, I didn't come to this show as a Viva Voce fan, and I didn't leave as one either...But I think I can see why other people might like them.

Youtube LinkI've read about Viva Voce and Silversun Pickups for the past couple months but it wasn't until last week that I downloaded an mp3. Thus, I had a pretty surface level understanding of these two bands. As far as I knew, Viva Voce were a kind of blusey, rock duo who often got compared to The White Stripes and Silversun Pickups were an "alterna-rock" band from L.A. who enjoy spacey distortion. After last night, I now know that Viva Voce like to "jam" and Silversun Pickups like to play really loud. A deeper understanding? Maybe not. But a good show? Sure.

Bad Veins opened and played another wonderful set. Ben's keyboard was malfunctioning so he had to improvise and re-interpret the keys on his guitar! Impressive! But it doesn't matter what instrument he's playing because Irene (the reel-to-reel player) does most of the work anyways... Here's a song that actually wasn't affected by the technical difficulties.



Silversun Pickups were up next. They had that very distinct greasiness that only Los Angelinos have... Still, Ohio/Kentucky was on their side. They even cheered during the opening bass line of "Well Thought Out Twinkles." I was most intrigued by Brian Aubert's voice. He sings kind of like Doug Martsch but then rips into a shriek-ish scream.



Viva Voce closed out the night. Kevin Robinson, the drummer, was also a guitarist and singer. His versatility was fun to watch and the two of them had a nice repoire. The songs had a confidence to them which I admired. But the truth is, I didn't come to this show as a Viva Voce fan, and I didn't leave as one either...But I think I can see why other people might like them.