REGRETTES
HAYLEY AND THE CRUSHERS
VELVET JONES, SANTA BARBARA
16 JULY, 2016
Tacocat brought their West Coast jaunt to the joint known as Velvet Jones in Downtown Santa Barbara. The zaniness of a Saturday night played perfectly into their hands, and the invasion of a wedding party late in the set only added to the flavor. Breaking out a feather boa led to a running Steven Tyler gag throughout. Songs from the band's latest effort, Lost Time, rightfully dominated the set, with "I Hate The Weekend", "Dana Katherine Scully", and "I Love Seattle" leading the charge, while they also reached back for already classics such as "Hey Girl", "Crimson Wave", and "Psychadelic Quincinera". While touring has honed their tightness, it hasn't been at the expense of their sense of fun.
Both support acts made an indelible impression. Hayley and the Crushers (from San Luis Obispo) set the pace with a lively set that featured a grinding version of the Go-Go's "This Town" as a most welcome surprise, while LA's Regrettes totally took over with a commanding stint that, for all its energy, hit another level when they dialed it back for "Pale Skin", making an emotional connection with the audience.
A satisfying night all the way through, and a special tip of the hat is due to the Velvet for having an all ages show on a prime night.
Tacocat
The Regrettes
Hayley and the Crushers
