Tacocat Returns To LA

TACOCAT

BLACK BELT EAGLE SCOUT

SUSAN

BOOTLEG THEATRE, LA

10 NOVEMBER, 2018

TACOCAT

BLACK BELT EAGLE SCOUT

SUSAN

Tacocat returned to LA, providing a necessary outlet to blowing off some of the nervous energy pent up in a fire-ridden state. Holding down the bar at the Bootleg Theatre, courtesy of Sid The Cat Presents, they tore through a set heavy on their most recent release Lost Time, and prior breakthrough NVM, (both on Hardly Art), and found room for some new songs. Playing "I Hate The Weekend" on a saturday night is pretty much peak Tacocat, and as one who works retail, very much appreciated at this time of the year. They capped off the evening with a spot-on cover of Talking Heads "Psycho Killer".

Support act Black Belt Eagle Scout, was the big revelation, with the question beforehand being how Katherine Paul's stark and intense songs from her debut Mother Of My Children (Saddle Creek Records), would translate live. In the company of an intuitive rhythm section, Black Belt Eagle Scout opened with "Soft Stud", and when KP stepped out to solo it home, all doubts were dispelled. "Indians Never Die" kept the audience transfixed, and a transcendent "Sam, A Dream" effectively blew the doors off the place, highlighting what was one of the most memorable sets of the year.

Over the course of two EP's and a full-length LP on San Diego's Volar Records, LA trio Susan has carved a particular niche, melding girl group harmonies with a buzz saw attack. Can't believe it's been four years since we last crossed paths, but happy to report that their opening set was as tight and feisty as ever.

TACOCAT

BLACK BELT EAGLE SCOUT

SUSAN

Upset, All Dogs, Baby Ghosts, and Susan at the Bootleg, LA

UPSET/ALL DOGS/BABY GHOSTS/SUSAN

BOOTLEG THEATER, LOS ANGELES

06 AUGUST, 2014

UPSET

ALL DOGS

BABY GHOSTS

SUSAN

"If you build it, they will come..." Early on in the Upset set, Ali Koehler bemoaned the lack of good shows in LA, and the night's bill was a testament to putting that right. Columbus, Ohio's All Dogs were making a West Coast jaunt, and their appearance at the Church On York fell victim to Highland Park politics as the Church lost their live music privileges. The gig was rescheduled to the bar in the Bootleg Theater, and the bill expanded. LA trio Susan opened up, followed by Baby Ghosts, from Salt Lake City, All Dogs, and Upset, in what turned out to be one of the best value per dollar shows I've attended this year. Ranging from merely great to transcendent, there was no down time, as each band got in their punches, albeit from different stylistic directions.
Susan kicked off the night, and they came to play, overcoming feedback and wonky mic stands to deliver a winning set. They were new to me, but that won't be the last time we cross paths. Baby Ghosts celebrated their last show on a tour with All Dogs by picking up the baton, snapping it in half, and crunching the remains underfoot. A blistering, high octane set of fast, but melodic punk that threatened to come apart at the seams, but didn't quite. They left mouths wide open. Ladies and gentlemen: Baby Ghosts, remember the name. My most-played piece of music last year didn't make the top ten album list, but no mistake, the 4 song 7" from All Dogs has never left active duty, and it was a treat to finally see them. That the songs pack an even bigger punch live was the bonus, and by the time they swung into "Buddy" and "Say" to close the set, the emotional meter was off the charts. Fate would have us cross paths a few days later in Oakland, so you'll certainly hear more about them. With Upset, it's more a case of 'where were we last', as the LA quartet are certainly no strangers to frequent readers. Taken down to its core of Ali Koehler and drummer Patti Schemel, the band has reconfigured with Rachel (from Slutever) sitting in on bass, and brand new guitarist Lauren. No big changes in the set, based on their debut LP, She's Gone, but the sound was faster and harder, and it will be interesting to see where this lineup takes their next record. A thrilling night from start to finish, and while one can't put their finger on precisely what, it felt like the start of something.

UPSET

ALL DOGS

BABY GHOSTS

SUSAN