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.
As sweltering as the outside may have been, the loft at Origami Vinyl offered a whole different challenge at this weekend's Echo Park Rising. With the Beserktown II Fest being held down the way in Santa Ana, it afforded Origami a great opportunity to curate a stellar instore lineup for the weekend. Lobbing bombs both verbal and musical, Providence, Rhode Island's Downtown Boys held court in the upstairs loft before the packed store, slamming through a high-octane set of political punk, broken up with between song speeches that just ratcheted up the intensity further. With so many bands paying more attention to careerist angles, it's refreshing to see a band in full IDGAF mode, addressing what needs to be said about their country. It was pure church, and some would say, patriotism of the highest order. Their debut LP Full Communism is out now on Don Giovanni Records.
Visiting dignitaries included the manager of 5SOS and the Mayor of East LA
It took a bill the like of Elvis Depressedly, Mitski, and Eskimeaux to get me to make a mid-work week sojourn to the Echo, in Echo Park, LA, and it was a trip well worth making, as the trio of bands winds their way down the west coast before heading to the desert. Making the return trip up the coast in time for work meant selling out the headliner, so much apologies to Elvis Depressedly, and we'll look forward to their return. Kitty was added on as opener, and she did her damnedest to get the party started, making the best of a borrowed computer and a more rock oriented crowd. Kitty faced them down with her laptop anthems, faring better on the uptempo numbers ("Marijuana"). Downtempo "Florida" seemed overlooked by the talkers in the audience, but was the standout of the set.
With the just-released It's Okunder her belt, Eskimeaux (Gabrielle Smith) took the form of a band, including Told Slant as drummer, and they proceeded to shred the well-produced LP versions of the tracks, investing them with an unexpected vigor. Kicking off with "Alone At The Party" and "Folly", Eskimeaux exerted full control on "The Thunder Answered Back", and it's always impressive to see a supporting act pull off a singalong, "Broken Necks", but by then the spell was cast. Finishing up with "I Admit I'm Scared", Eskimeaux raised a considerable bar for the evening.
If there was a person up to the challenge, it would be Mitski Miyawaki, whose late 2014 release Bury Me At Makeout Creek has been a staple all through this year. The album marked a shift from the orchestrated grandeur of her first two LP's to a more guitar-based approach, while not sacrificing her singular songwriting. In the current lineup, Mitski plays bass and anchors, in every sense, a powerful trio. Kicking off with "Townie" and "First Love, Late Spring", it was alternatively funny and harrowing, with "Francis Forever" and "I Don't Smoke" also standing out as highlights. The towering "Drunk Walk Home" ruled all, and her closing cathartic screams seemed to mark a natural end to the set. Who the hell could top that. But Mitski carried on, breaking out "Class of 2013" from her previous LP, Retired From Sad, New Career In Business, and finished up new LP closer "Last Words of a Shooting Star", a mic drop in song form if ever there was. It was one of those nights that sold out for a reason.
