The Silversun Pickups done BROUGHT IT last night at the Echoplex. As I’ve whined about many times, I’ve been trying to see this band live for the past three years, and it seems I’m always out of town when they play a show. Well this is the way I wanted to see them in the first place anyway, right where it all began Silverlake (ok Echo Park, but reeeeally close.)
I showed up just in time to catch the end of The Eulogies set. Very entertaining, tight band, I might check them out at their upcoming Spaceland show to form a more solid opinion. They definitely held the crowd’s attention though which can sometimes be tough at the Echoplex. Seriously, who are these people that go to shows at the Echoplex and hang out on the couches way in the back for the whole show? And why is this guy watching me in the men’s room? I can get my own paper towels thanks.. oh Tic Tac’s.. well ok..
A special bonus was seeing Shirley Manson as she said a few words about the Pablove Foundation and introduced the Silversun Pickups. It felt great to not only be supporting a local band, but to also be supporting such an important cause.
From Pablove.org:
The Pablove Foundation is named after Pablo Castelaz, the five-year-old son of Dangerbird Records co-founder Jeff Castelaz and his wife Jo Ann Thrailkill. On May 17, 2008, Pablo was diagnosed with bilateral Wilms’ Tumor, a rare form of children’s cancer. The cancer appeared out of nowhere, with no warning signs in Pablo’s general demeanor or health. He is currently undergoing treatment at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, and is doing extremely well. Thanks to decades of research and treatment at places like CHLA, Wilms’ Tumor is over 90% curable.
The Silversun Pickups (can we just start calling them The Pickups, ala The Pumpkins?) were totally solid. They guided the audience on a fuzz-lined tour of their discography to date. The band genuinely looked to be having a great time, and the crowd reciprocated. Plus, bonus points to the Echoplex and the sound man for actually making the vocals audible, that’s always a plus. I had a great time, drank Guinness in a can, and the girl bought the T-Shirt.
