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40th St Warehouse March 1, 2003 Review by Jake Thomas It's well known to most people here in the Bay Area that if you live in San Francisco you usually don't leave the city too often to go anywhere else in the bay (barring family or some such thing as that). I mean, when you pay the amount we do in rent here, you want to make sure you get your moneys worth! With music and live shows, almost everyone plays in SF, and the small handful that do play in the East Bay play in both spots. This show was no different in a way, as The Whip had played in the city a few days earlier but I missed it. So it was off to Oakland for me. I got there plenty early, before the first band had gone on. The Plot to Blow up the Eiffel Tower (that's too much too type, I'm calling them 'The Plot' from here on out) were supposed to be first, but they switched with the Moggs. This was second time seeing the Moggs, and they were damn good. I'm really baffled why they're not more popular - possibly because they don't play out a lot, or maybe because they've taken years to release their album? It's not often that I complain about show length, but they only played for 18 minutes (that's what someone who had a camera and was filming them said, I wasn't timing them for nothing). I'm usually all for short sets, but this is pushing it! 30 minutes is ideal for me. Short set or not, they were great, and I can't wait to get their album... someday. The Plot were second. They were pretty much what I expected; dancy hardcore music with screamy vocals, and everyone in the band going loony. I've never been much for this type of music, but it is entertaining to watch. I actually liked the music to these guys, but I just couldn't get with the vocals. The singer managed to break two microphones in the span of three songs, so they finished their set early and the singer just pranced around and messed with the crowd, stole their hats and wore them around, for the final songs. In the junior slot, Replicator. Seems like I've seen these boys a ton lately (3 times since the first of the year I believe?). I always enjoy seeing them play, and this was no different. They were definitely on top of their game after having played the Great American Music Hall a few nights earlier; this show was just as good as that one if not better. I know they were pretty excited to be opening for the Whip, or at least Conan was. If you want to read more on these lads, you can check out one of the other reviews of them I've written this year or go to their website www.replicator5000.com - check out their ramblings and download some songs. If you like their recorded output you won't be disappointed with their live show. Finally, The Whip came on. They sounded a whole hell of a lot like Karp. I thought it might be a little different with the addition of Joe Preston (Thrones/Melvins), but they sounded pretty damn similar. Not that I have a problem with that, as I never got to see Karp live anyways. They were heavy as shit; not in that metal 'we can play one thousand riffs in 10 seconds' kind of way, but the music just felt like it was bearing down on you, and that if you weren't careful it might sit on you and break your spine. Since I like my spine intact, I was careful. There were plenty of kids and old folks alike moshing around, nearly pushing the crowd into the band. What else is there to say? If you liked Karp, definitely check these guys out. I bought some merchandise after the show, a 7 inch and a t-shirt. The t-shirt was an illustration of someone trying to give a cat a pill to swallow. I think that pretty much says it all. --- Previous Replicator reviews: review Great American Music Hall, February 26, 2003 review Edinburgh Castle, January 3, 2003 review Bottom of the Hill, May 30, 2001 Previous Moggs review: review Edinburgh Castle, January 3, 2003 ©2003 playinginfog.com |