#60 Little Red Lion on 5-26-11

Before leaving Redding, Michael and I went walking around and we happened upon a train bridge. We went up the hill and Michael went walking on it and made jokes about Stand By Me. I was a bit nervous, but he said, "They wouldn't make the bridge just wide enough for the train!" I took his word for it. We went  far out to the middle of the tracks to take pictures of the amazing river below. We were out there for 10 minutes or so when Michael said, "Oh fuck, train!" Sure enough here came the train. I began running immediately at top speed, but quickly realized that Michael was shorter and wouldn't be able to run as far. I looked back and the train was almost to him, and he had crouched down and clutched the side rails of the bridge. I saw him not get crushed, so I too braced myself against the side. The train blew its horn a couple times, and came by with a huge gust of wind. I held on tight, and managed to keep my composure enough to snap some self portraits. Afterwards I felt SO alive and happy. 

We then took one of the more beautiful drives I've ever done in my life, through amazing mountains, next to rivers, etc. The air was incredible, and the weather was overcast and perfect.

We hit Eureka, and went to a pub where there were lots and lots of college kids, and hoped that it would also be the case at the venue. Ummm, no. Little Red Lion was a decent bar with a couple pool tables, and a stage, but the sign outside was dark and it seemed to be a bit isolated, though it was surrounded by other businesses. We had no other bands playing, but we did have a sweet guy named Jason who had a keyboard and did a unique DJ/keyboard/storytelling/beat poetry kind of act. It was strangely fitting as an opening act. No sound guy, so I did the sound AGAIN. Michael and I by this time had the duo set locked in, and the performance was almost too easy. There were not a lot of people at the show, but the bartender was kind to us and kicked us some travel money, drinks, etc.

We drove for a bit and opted for another van sleep night.

#57 Cellar Door on 5-21-11

This was one of the finest shows we ever played in terms of how we were treated. This venue had GREAT sound, an extremely friendly staff and we got the star treatment though it was our first time in Visalia. Castro's drum never sounded so incredible. I was also pleased to see that they had hung up our posters.

My cousin, a local, came to see us but she had to sneak in as she had lost her license. We felt like mischievous teenagers. 

We opened for Run Run Run, a band from Los Angeles who had some good European touring under their belt. I was impressed by the wealth of material they had, and they even threw in a cover of Fade Into You. The bassist was wearing a Bradley Riot shirt, even more proof that Bradley is EVERYWHERE.

I blistered the roof of my mouth on pizza, and we were payed in a wealth of $5 bills. We talked to a LOT of people, including a ratty 'meth couple'. The guy asked what we were doing after the show. I said, "We're probably going to hang out, eat some pizza..." He did a double take and said, "Pizza?? Like mushrooms??" and then rambled about food mushrooms vs. psychedelic mushrooms and what he thought I meant. I tapered off the conversation, and continued getting people to sign the mailing list.

#54 Doll Hut 0n 5-17-11

This was the first show of our tour. Doll Hut used to be Linda's Doll Hut and is a bit legendary, particularly for punk rock bands. I'm trying to think if this is the first time we've actually played Orange County.

This is a small place with access to the stage from front and side, so you could have a very nice packed 'surround sound' audience. We did not unfortunately, as there were no local bands put on the bill. (LA, LA and SF) The men's bathroom had a toilet seat hanging from the wall instead of on the toilet, which was amusing.

Tonight we played with Bell Ringer, who are 3 members of the defunct Cola Cola. They are nice people, and we actually get to play 3 tour shows with them. We also played with Speedgoat, who are a bluesy/metallish power trio from SF. They had a giant stuffed bear 'mascot' (not a goat) who sat in front of the stage during their set. 

The performance was a decent start to this tour.

The Active Set, ON TOUR.

Yes, we have booked a very nice tour up and down California. It originally had Portland as its northernmost destination, but Portland proved very difficult to book a show in. Over saturation of indie rock is our guess, so we'll have to visit another time.

The tour (appropriately christened the "It Multiplies Tour") will include the following dates:

May 17 - Anaheim - Doll Hut

May 18 - San Diego - Ruby Room

May 20 - Los Angeles - Mr. T's Bowl

May 21 - Visalia - Cellar Door

May 22 - Santa Cruz - Metavinyl

May 23 - San Francisco - Brick & Mortar Music

May 24 - Sacramento - Naked Lounge

May 25 - Redding - Maxwell's

May 26 - Eureka - Little Red Lion

May 28 - San Francisco - Brainwash Cafe

May 29 - Fresno - Tokyo Garden

We have some special surprises planned, so those interested in seeing a 'different side' of the Active Set should definitely come out to some of the shows.

#53 The Airliner on 3-5-2011

(photo by Amber McCandless)

We had this show planned for quite a while, and were happy to be playing the nicer stage upstairs. When we arrived, we discovered that there was live music happening on both stages, and therefore 413 different bands were playing that night. (That is an exaggeration.)

We lugged our gear up the staircase and set it to the side. The band was about to play. I wandered outside to greet some of the people who came to see us. The band played for what seemed like over an hour, and I was antsy to play. We started to move our gear to the stage and a gentleman siad, "Oh, we're on next. That first band was supposed to be on at 8." It was now around 10.

This was unfortunate, as some people who came to see us couldn't stay. However, we had a good time with those who did, and the next band were very polite and even offered to cut their set short. I declined. We finally hit the stage and as we played, the front row came alive. A core group of audience members seemed to hang on every note, and cheered us on continually. They kept asking question and shouting nice supportive things. It felt incredible. 

One of them swore they weren't intoxicated, and I saw x's on the hands of another so it may have been the truth. Our eager 'merch girl' made the rounds and collected more e-mail addresses we've ever got at a show. The audience was so receptive, it made me feel like I was in a different city. Fantastic.

Someone who watched the set said, "You guys are too good to be playing the Airliner." 

Fair enough.

#52 Redwood Bar on 1-4-2011

(photo by Danit Sigler)

We were invited to play this show by Cinderella Motel. The lead singer is a bit New Romantic looking, and can play the accordion. Redwood Bar has a nautical theme, and though the stage is small, there is a nice painting with a busty mermaid behind it.

We were pleased to have our video director and cinematographer in town to finally see a live show. I was using new bass equipment, and trying to get used to it. The sound on stage was very odd, and nothing was sounding right. I became discouraged, and after finishing a song I announced that we would not be playing another until we got the sound sorted out. The sound man made some adjustments, which helped a little, but overall the performance felt like a challenge. It was well received though, and we were pleased to have some familiar friends with us.

I left my hooded sweatshirt at the club, but luckily Michael retrieved it. 

#38 Wolf Gallery on 7-24-10

(photo by ?)

We were tracked down and asked to play this show by East Los Angeles new wave band LeTras. We drove down to Whittier and were greeted by an apparently very tight-knit group of Latino fans and friends. I was reminded of Briggs shows back in the day, where we would find these hard-core Latino punks who absolutely lived for the scene and the music. It's such a nice contrast to scenelessness. (Yep, I just coined that.)

There was a middle-aged burnout white guy who lingered around the club before we played, and he asked us if we were going to play some 'Anglo-Saxon music' for a change, instead of all this 'Mexican shit'. We were annoyed/amused. During our set this guy kept giving half-assed Nazi salutes, and eventually left. I thought this was very smart of him.

After the set, feeling like we didn't necessarily win this crowd over, LeTras invited us to come back to their studio/practice space to hang out and drink. We joined them, and it turned into a great dance party, and we were quite happy to join them. We danced and it was fantastic.

#34 Silverlake Lounge on 10-20-09

We played with the Monthlies again (we like them) as well as Megasapien, Melee and Eugene & the 1914.

I don't recall much about this show. But what I do recall is:

1. Megasapien reminded me of Sunny Day Real Estate at times.

2. Eugene and the 1814 looked cool.

#32 Mr. T's Bowl on 8-29-09

photo by Mike Smith
generic american photography

We got to play with the Monthlies again, which works great. Also playing are Lusterko, who are a piano/drums duo. There is a '60s thing, sort of, going on musically and their singer-pianist is tall and has incredible legs.

Tonight was fun, and that's all I can really remember.

#23 Knitting Factory on 9-13-08

We played in the Alter-knit lounge. Others who played were The Dirty Hearts, Casper and The Voyeurs.

Don't remember much else.