Last night @ Club Dada

Josh convinced me to come out to Club Dada last night to see some bands that were coming through town on their post-SXSW tours back home. I don't really go see bands on a blind whim anymore. I usually know a little bit about them before I see their performance. This night turned out to be one of the best spur of the moment decisions I've made in a long time.

First, we were treated to the sounds of Band Marino from Orlando. It was almost like seeing Pilotdrift for the first time. There were so many changes in tempo and style, as well as over the top theatrics. Songs ranged from indie rockers, to countrified jams, to even a couple of Spanish-tinged bits. Singer Nathan Bond reminded me of an intelligible Thom Yorke at times. Their new album hit the shelves a couple of weeks ago, so definitely check it out.

The Modern Skirts from Athens, Georgia took the stage next. You usually can't go wrong if a band is from Athens. So just how good is this band? Mike Mills of REM wanted to produce them. It may seem like it at times, but Mike Mills doesn't work with just anybody. This band reminded me of good ole' British pub rock. You could hear elements of Squeeze, and I even heard some early Charlatans and possibly some Bluetones in their as well. Their singer even sounded like an American version of Idlewild's Roddy. Very solid songs and amazing harmonies on stage. Go have a listen. You'll flip when you hear "Pasadena".

The night ended with Lafayette's Brass Bed. Yet another very solid group. They were a bit Brian Wilson, crossed with a bit of Wilco, with just a pinch of early Flaming Lips. Moogs, megaphones, pedal steel, blugels... they used it all. As was the case with the other two bands, this was a very tight group of musicians. You could tell they've all been doing this together for a while, and if not, they're doing a damn fine job of faking it.

All in all, a good night.