Allison Crutchfield Takes A Bow...

ALLISON CRUTCHFIELD and The FIZZ

RADIATOR HOSPITAL

OVLOV

BOOTLEG THEATER, LA

14 OCTOBER, 2016

In the continuing adventures of the Crutchfield sisters, Friday night at the Bootleg Theater in LA saw Allison take center stage with The Fizz, bringing to life cuts from her solo debut EP, Lean Into It, and previewing songs from next year's full-length. Just a month ago, she was in town as part of the P.S. Elliot reunion, then hit the road with The Fizz opening up for the Julie Ruin. As if that wasn't enough, misfortune struck in the form of a van break-in, claiming hardware from drummer Catherine Elicson, and all of Allison's clothing. Bloodied, but unbowed, they made it to LA for a headlining show.

The night was the working definition of a stacked bill, with Connecticut-based Steve Hartlett leading off with a few Stove songs, then shifting gears into Ovlov material.

Sam Cook-Parrott brought Radiator Hospital to life in solo form, providing a well-received set of mostly new songs, sprinkled with some crowd favorites, and a peek at his most recent project "The Afterglows", before going on to hold down the bass in Crutchfield's trio.

Taken as a whole, the night was an already sepia Polaroid of where these artists are at, steps before they unveil their next offering.

Ovlov

Radiator Hospital

Allison Crutchfield and The Fizz

The Return of P.S. Eliot

P.S. Eliot 

Upset

Miserable

The Echo, Echo Park, LA

09 September, 2016

Celebrating the new release of the band's history, 2007-2011, (via Don Giovanni Records), the revival of PS Eliot is a welcome surprise. Given the Crutchfield sisters' penchant for moving forward, it was totally unexpected, but with most of their current fan base likely having never seen the band, it easily escaped the usual reunion show webs of nostalgia. At one point, Katie Crutchfield stated that their only LA appearance was a house show in Long Beach, and marveled at the packed Echo. Along with sister Allison, Will Granger, and Katherine Simonetti, the quartet was sharp and focused tearing through their catalog with a visible glee, and little rust evident in this tour kickoff. 

Doing the opening honors was SF doom merchants Miserable, led by Kristina Esfandiari, (see also: King Woman), making a rare LA appearance. With a stark, intense set, they raised an admirable bar for the evening. Local favorites Upset filled in the middle without missing a beat, their buzz saw pop providing liftoff, and the bonus was getting to hear a clutch of new songs, which hopefully will be out next year. 

P.S. Eliot 

Upset

Miserable