We Want The Airwaves...

A BENEFIT FOR KCPR:

SHANNON AND THE CLAMS

SWIMMERS

DOG PARTY

SLO BREWING CO, SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA

16 MAY, 2015

With members of Dog Party and Swimmers ensconced in studies at Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo, a benefit for their radio station KCPR was a natural, kicking off the current fundraising drive. Bay Area surf-soul-punk titans Shannon and the Clams headlined the all ages do at San Luis Obispo's SLO Brewing Company, and a sweaty evening was had by all. It was just in January that we last caught up with Dog Party, and they got the ball rolling in style with the big takeaway being a preview of Volume IV, their forthcoming LP on Asian Man Records, with Burger Records doing the cassette duties. "Dead Man" was the first new blast, and fit in perfectly with their catalog to date. Calling out a friend's 21st birthday, "Flamingo Go" set the moshing in motion, and it didn't abate through "Lost Control". Late set highlight included a pair of Swimmers brought up for a tune (Swim Party?!).

Oakland's Swimmers, (formerly Emily's Army), were the new-to-me takeaway of the evening. Scheduling conflicts meant missing them at Burgerama, but fortune smiled on this night. From the first song, they were a blur of motion, bringing to mind the energy level of the much missed At The Drive-In. Pausing between songs to ensure audience safety, they immediately ratcheted the energy levels back up, with crowd surfers ping-ponging between the support beams. Finishing off with a high energy take on the Cure's "Boys Don't Cry", it was a memorable introduction. Bonus points awarded for the skate deck serving as a pedal dock.

As evidenced by past gigs, Oakland's Shannon And The Clams have a gift for The Show, and this was a rare opportunity to see them shorn of the spectacle, just the trio in small club, up close and personal, and it was all of that and more. Keeping it tight and wired, they never let the intensity lag, and considering the energy from the stage throughout the night, that was no small feat.

SHANNON AND THE CLAMS

SWIMMERS

DOG PARTY

 

"Swim Party"

Ain't No Party Like A Dog Party: Live in SLO

DOG PARTY

SLO BREW

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA

24 JANUARY, 2015

These are new times for punk duo Dog Party, with Gwen having decamped to Cal Poly to start her college adventure, and Lucy still at home in Sacramento. Last time we caught up with them was in August, at Burger Records' Burger A Go Go shindig in Santa Ana, and while apart for the first time, many years playing together has given them a telepathic connection that a few months won't impact. They hit the stage Saturday night at SLO Brew, setting the stage for Agent Orange, blitzing through a set heavy on their latest album, Lost Control, (on Asian Man Records), and the treat of the night was hearing brand new music from them.

It was a pleasant surprise to have a long line before doors at the usually laid back brewing house, and a sizable crowd was already in place when the ladies hit the stage with the all-purpose greeting jam "How Are You Doing". From there on out, it was non-stop, and full-throttle takes on "Flamingo Go", a loose but powerful rendition of "Lost Control", "Jetpack" (which stirred some pit activity), and their trusty cover of X's "Los Angeles" won the night. Fun fact: Gwen shared with us that 7 years before, Dog Party's very first show was opening for none other than Agent Orange, bringing things full circle. Keep an eye out for Dog Party on the road, including some dates next month with The Thermals.