Dirty Duck, Modesto
June 15, 2001
Photos
Review by Squid
The first time we saw Earlimart at the D.I.W. showcase last year, Squid sorta just sat there at the bar with her mouth open. Was this the same sweet rock band whose album, "Filthy Doorways" hadn't left her stereo for a week? In the words of the Simpson's Comic Book Guy, "Best live indie rock band...*ever*". We haven't seen the Earlikids since the Acoustic Jam back in April, and even then we only got to see guitarist Ashod Simonian and bassist Ariana Murray's side project, the Panty Lions, as Earlimart themselves were going on too late in the evening. That just made us even more determined to see them this time around, no matter how far we had to drive. Because we truly adore Earlimart's albums (in fact we were all excited to get our hands on the "Beerock EP" at this show), but let us repeat, there's just something about an Earlimart show. It's like the entire band takes big Special K sized Punk Pills or something. All of the sudden lead singer Aaron Espinoza's screaming and Simonion is jumping off the drum riser, and drummer Brian Thornell is thrashing to kill. Murray somehow keeps her head through it all and anchors the whole deal before the cops show up. Jesus. Squid and Zach Fiver sat on the floor of the Duck, mesmerized yet headbanging the entire time. They kept shouting at each other, "This is my favorite!...", then later, "Nah, THIS is my favorite!...No, THIS...". Even Billy's patented One Man Pit (tm) couldn't move us away from the front lines. Earlimart shows are too good and too few for that. Awesome.
Built Like Alaska were their typical, ebullient selves. Their sets have gotten so tight it's literally almost like listening to a different band. We're doing our damndest to lure these guys back out to the city for some more shows...but only if they bring their special dancing girls with them.
Scenic Route were already up and runnin' by the time we hit the duck. This quartet struck Squid as a nice cross between Jets to Brazil and the Actionslacks. We'll try and catch a full set the next time they play.
Scenic Route
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Built Like Alaska
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Earlimart
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Read our other Built Like Alaska reviews:
March 20, 2001 at Café du Nord
May 29, 2001 at the Dirty Duck in Modesto