Tokyo Police Club/Voxhall Broadcast

Last night, with Paula -- Tokyo Police Club at the Troubadour (the photo's from my interview with their singer, Dave, at SXSW.)

I'm just not sure about them. Dave's one of the best interviews I've had in a while, and his acoustic set was aces, but with the band things get a bit messy and same-y. They had those huge arcade fire-ish lights, which were great and added drama, but I left thinking they might be a hype-machine casualty. The kids, though, loved it; maybe I'm missing something.

Where I'm not missing anything: Voxhaull BroadCast, who played Spaceland on Monday. Motown-influenced swampy rock with great hair. Totally rad.

Vampire Weekend/PUSA

So much for posting every show. It's catchup time:

Vampire Weekend @ El Rey, 3/20/08

Theoretically I was supposed to go to this show with Mr Wener, but circumstances out of his control forced a ticket switch and a giveaway to what was probably the most coveted show so far this year in LA. Thankfully, the band was in rare form: by far the best of the four times I've seen them so far, thanks to a room packed with highschoolers who knew every word and weren't afraid to sing along. "White Sky" the new stomper, was great; based on a drum loop -- is it safe to say that this next record could be their "Rhythm of the Saints?"Dunno. You be the judge.

Presidents of the USA @ Roxy, 3/21/08

Weird Al sat in on "More Than A Feeling," Wayne Cramer joined them to "Kick Out the Jams," and I was invited backstage for a photo session. Who am I again?!?!?