Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Back behind the wheel

I didn't go to a lot of live show when I was young. Until the late 1990s I just wasn't aware enough of what was out there to bother. That changed when I was on a big shoegazing kick in 1998 and decided to head over to Barrymore's to catch one of the scene's heavyweights, Swervdriver on June 3 (tickets were $10 back then). So yes, you can thank the Oxford outfit for the delayed and indirect creation of this here blog. After that show I started going out a couple of times a week and the rest is history. Although the band parted ways not too long after (they were touring behind album No. 4, 99th Dream, at the time), they reconvened for a spot of reunion activity a decade later and decided to get things back together for an album last year. I Wasn't Born To Lose You is now on the streets, and the band has been touring hither and yon behind it as a result. Thus, a good 17 years after that Barrymore's show, the band was back in town at Zaphod's last Tuesday to rock a well-attended house. They've been accompanied on their latest tour by L.A.'s Gateway Drugs, while local shoegazers PINE filled in the opening slot.

The room was on the empty side when they started up, so here's singer Darlene Deschamps telling everyone to move up.

Pine at Zaphod's

Guitar action! The band has three, this is Tyler Nickel.

Pine at Zaphod's

More Darlene, and more guitar!

Pine at Zaphod's

Will handles the low end.

Pine at Zaphod's

Vocal action! Not sure who guitarist No. 3 is.

Pine at Zaphod's

More Tyler!

Pine at Zaphod's

Extra Darlene!

Pine at Zaphod's

Shadowy Holden action!

Pine at Zaphod's

So, Gateway Drugs; I'd heard a few good things about the band. They play loud psychedelic garage rock and covered the Count 5's Psychotic Reaction near the end of their set. Fun fact: Three of the band are the children of The Knack's bassist, Prescott Niles. Here's Blues Williams, the one non-family member, sporting Ray-Bans and a black leather jacket.

Gateway Drugs at Zaphod's

Here's Liv on guitar and vocals.

Gateway Drugs at Zaphod's

Brother Noa on guitar ....

Gateway Drugs at Zaphod's

Close-up action!

Gateway Drugs at Zaphod's

Noa sings!

Gateway Drugs at Zaphod's

Gabe hits!

Gateway Drugs at Zaphod's

Sibling action!

Gateway Drugs at Zaphod's

More Blues!

Gateway Drugs at Zaphod's

Gabe sings a bit!

Gateway Drugs at Zaphod's

Noa works the pedals.

Gateway Drugs at Zaphod's

More sibling action!

Gateway Drugs at Zaphod's

Liv shreds!

Gateway Drugs at Zaphod's

Pedal action finish!

Gateway Drugs at Zaphod's

Swervedriver brought a big long set list to the show; they played just about every song a fan could hope for and a few more besides. Zaphod's let them blow past the curfew (for all the difference that might make on a Tuesday). Here's Adam Franklin and bassist Mikey Jones of Supergrass fame.

Swervedriver at Zaphod's

Grainy action with Jimmy Hartridge!

Swervedriver at Zaphod's

Adam sings! Adam reminded the crowd that the last time he played Zaphod's he was tossed for being "allegedly drunk" after his set.

Swervedriver at Zaphod's

More Mikey!

Swervedriver at Zaphod's

Steve George hits!

Swervedriver at Zaphod's

Extra Jimmy!

Swervedriver at Zaphod's

More Adam!

 Swervedriver at Zaphod's

And that was about it for photos, because I was starting to feel a bit ill.

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