It was a great show last night at the El Rey. Camper Van Beethoven came on at 8:30 and played until 10:00 followed by Cracker from about 10:20 until 12:00. If you have not been to the El Rey. It’s right near La Brea and Wilshire. It’s a very cool, small and red old theater. We were, without effort, about 20 feet from the stage. The crowd was definitely not on the young side since the music is what I would call “College Rock” conceding that I really mean college rock from 20 years ago. My husband was feeling quite svelte in the crowd. I had to point out that when you are skinny all your life of course you are going to be skinnier than the pot bellied 40 year olds. It’s all relative. Music wise, the band was really tight and still packed a lot of energy. They played all the hits including of course, for Camper Van Beethoven, Humid Press of Day, Take the Skinheads Bowling, Tania and Eye of Fatima from My Beloved Revolutionary Sweetheart, and a resounding set closing Pictures of Matchstick Men; for Cracker, Low, Teen Angst, Lonesome Johnny Blues, and the belovedly degenerate Eurotrash girl. They played a few tracks from their new cd (yes, I did said new cd) which were just as rocking as the old stuff. I thought about buying the cd there but realized I could just as likely download it. If I am mistaken, I am sure I can just write Dave Lowery and ask him to send me a copy (feeling of course now that I am his personal friend). I, for one, was excited to see them as the only other show opportunities I have seen over the past few years have been camp outs in the inland empire. While I do like camping, I may be a little too old for hot, dusty, rock show camping. All and all, a great music packed show well worth the price.
