#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.

Photo Shoot, doubled.

We did another photo shoot with Tami Bahat. This was my concept, and she executed it well. It fits rather nicely with the dark theme of It Multiplies.

New single: It Multiplies

The second single leading up to our new album is out today. It is a song about infidelity. In fact, a specific incidence of infidelity, and the consequences. Listen to it here.

The artwork was done by local Jolly de Guzman, who has created some incredible art.

Our goal was to release something entirely different in theme and mood from our last single. It's going to be a great year...

It Multiplies video shoot location: FOUND!

(photo by Danit Sigler)

Having sought a perfect desolate location for the It Multiplies video, we happened upon a house in Palmdale, CA that had the remains of a chicken farm behind it. These rotting wooden shacks are incredible, and look very creepy at night.

Seeing as the song is a bit darker and moodier than our last, we wanted something to fit that. Our director Lior Molcho is very pleased with the find and is looking forward to making a bit more of an 'art video' than the last one. Photographer Tami Bahat is going to some makeup/art direction of the shoot as well, so we'll see what that brings.

Shooting takes place on the evening of January 23rd, and the weather is supposed to be somewhere around 30 degrees. Hooray winter desert night shoot!

The song is set to be released on January 31st, a month or so before the video.

#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. 

#51 Sancho on 12-3-2010

(photo by Robert Hogg)

This was our final show of the year. We arrived at the venue and found an empty white artspace, and it's proprietor starting to set things up. I offered to set up the PA and got started. It was 9:30, and though we were set to play at 11, a flock of people showed up to see us play. I suggested they enjoy themselves at a local bar or eatery, and that's what they did. AV Club were the openers, and were running a bit late, but setup was quick and we were on schedule.

AV Club put on a great show, and I mixed the best sound I could with the small speakers provided. Our set was lively, and I was pleased to have 'Valley Born' back in the set. Wayne commented it was "five years in the making," which made me laugh. The last band (Fay Wrays) apparently had a breakdown and were not going to make it, so after playing we lingered as long as we could. A nice end to this year's performances.

#50 The Airliner on 11-2-10

(photo by Matthew Stolarz)

Congratulations us! This was the Active Set's 50th show! Hurrah! Hurrah!

This show was handed to us after playing the Terrace. I told my friend Sean Guerin to see about playing it, and lo and behold we got to play together. Francis and I ate tacos, separately, before the show.

The show was opened by a cool experimental 'loop station' guitarist. The Airliner has 3 stages, and we played the tiny one downstairs, not the big cement loading dock one out back or the super cool big stage upstairs. That was reserved for the 'damage to your nervous system' DJs.

They played a bunch of dub reggae on the PA as we set up, which always puts me in the mood. Though the stage is sideways facing the bar, everyone stood in front of us while we played. I couldn't keep my jacket on through the whole set, and Wayne called me a 'pussy' or 'quitter' or something. I made a lot of jokes about Meg Whitman, who was losing the election to Jerry Brown.

AV club is fronted by Austin Eastlee, a friend of mine. Sean Guerin plays keys. They have a good band.