Bleached/Japandroids at the Fonda Theater

JAPANDROIDS

BLEACHED

FONDA THEATER, LA

08 NOVEMBER, 2012

L.A.'s Bleached is no stranger to these pages, having opened up for Veronica Falls earlier in the year.  This go-round saw them share the bill with Japandroids, from Vancouver, for a feisty night of noise.  For my take on the Japandroids set, check the Owl Magazine.  Photos and video of Japandroids follow Bleached.
The Clavin sisters, Jennifer and Jessica, formed Bleached in the wake of their previous band Mika Miko dissolving, and it has been a slow and satisfying build.  After a handful of singles, a full album is on the horizon for next spring on Dead Oceans, and it should push the band's profile considerably.  They've been working hard on the road, and it certainly shows.  Their Ramones cum Shangri-La's attack is well honed at this point, and it will be interesting to see how they've grown in the studio.
They didn't seem fazed at all by the big stage, rising to the occasion with a set that featured a few new songs, and touched on their cornerstones: the singles, especially a rousing version of "Searching Through The Past", and the obligatory (and always welcome) Ramones cover.  It was short, but sweet, and I look forward to the not-too distant future, when Bleached will be the headliner.

(JAPANDROIDS)

Live: Veronica Falls/Bleached

VERONICA FALLS/BLEACHED/NEVEREVER

BOOTLEG THEATER, ECHO PARK

25 FEBRUARY, 2012

Veronica Falls made a triumphant return to Los Angeles on Oscar Weekend, settling in at Echo Park's Bootleg Theater.  The theater was packed, even given the upgrade from the bar to the theater, and the crowd was in thrall from the first notes.

They delivered the songs from their self titled first album, (on Slumberland here, Wichita in the UK), with a heady assurance. The beautiful harmonies laced with fuzz offered an interesting juxtaposition to the dark lyrics, and the whole thing was reinforced by the swaying floor, literally moving underfoot. Their new songs glowed, and it is with great anticipation that I look forward to their next chapter.

Bleached, LA based purveyor of noisy goodness, held down the middle slot, coming home as conquering heroes to an audience packed with their friends.  They did a tight raucous set, brimming with energy, touching on all their singles so far, with choice covers (Ramones) thrown in for good measure.  Formed from the ashes of Mika Miko, they have established their own sound, and expect to see their debut LP this year.