#27 Earth Day Celebration @ Toluca Lake Farmers Market on 4-19-09

This was actually a half-band acoustic set, but since it was all Active Set songs and a Radiohead cover it still counts. Wayne was incredible, I was okay. The horse nearby seemed to like it.

#26 USC Springfest on 4-4-09

What a show! Great experience. 

This was a big 2-stage outdoor festival at USC (Francis' Alma mater), with music throughout the day. We had incredible sound and the biggest stage we've played to date. It felt good to stretch out. We even had a friend of Francis play keys on Sea Legs. We mucked around most of the day, taking advantage of the hospitality bestowed upon us, such as drinks, food and a green room. Well, it was Iglu & Hartly's green room, but we were allowed in anyway, as they remembered us from SXSW.

Sadly, we had no merchandise to sell at the row of merch tables other than the EP, so new fans were not acquired as they could have been. But we did make some good contacts with bloggers, event planners, etc. and got to watch Pinback and Brand New, as well as shoot some footage for an upcoming self-produced documentary. Or not.

#25 Pehrspace on 4-3-09

photo by Ethan Saks

This was the EP-release show for The Hard To Get. We were happy to be invited, and Pehrspace is a small artspace (room) which is very close to other Silverlake venues. The parking lot was essentially an open bar and we also played with the Christopher Walk-ins and the Breakups. It was a nice relaxed unpretentious group of bands, and a fun evening. Our new friend Ethan Saks took some great live-action pics as well.

New Video: Let The Games Begin

This is our first official music video, directed by Israeli director Lior Molcho. He has long been a fan of Los Angeles, and is pleased to be directed his first American video with us, having directed over 200 videos in Israel.

It is fitting that so much of downtown Los Angeles is featured here, as we have enjoyed having Downtown Rehearsals as our practice space. Welcome home.

#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.

#24 Raven Playhouse 0n 9-28-08

This was a special show. We were invited by comedy band Orange Monkey, who had written an album largely about and/or inspired by our own Wayne Russell. There were altars with pictures of Wayne as well as a bunch of Wayne masks. This was our last show for a while, so we can focus on writing some new material. Also playing tonight was the Brite Spot (not the diner) and the Mighty Newmatics.

#22 Knitting Factory on 8-14-08

We played in the Alter-knit lounge with the Jake Incao band from New York, a familial connection with our friend at Evil Seed productions who helped us play our SXSW showcase. Half of the Active Set played with Jake Incao, just so they could travel light. Also playing was Sounder, The Royalty and the Young Whiskey.