SF Popfest, Day One
Day One has finished. It finished a bit early for me. I missed Human Television as I had been walking around SF all day and my feet were killing me. Note to self: canvas Vans are NOT good walking shoes. My feets hurt.
Red Pony Clock were spectacular. I only caught a bit of their set at the Athens Popfest last year and have been regretting it since. This time, I saw the whole set. Wow, they were fun. The horns, the constant change of tempo in every song... it was so much fun to watch them. For some reason I thought they sounded like an indie band in the time of the old west. I think it was the horns. It was just fun to see them play.
I had never seen The California Oranges before. All I knew of the band was that it spawned from the ashes of Holiday Flyer. It's *definitely* not Holiday Flyer. The vocals are the same but it was a lot more up-tempo (two guitars, bass, two vocals, and drummer). A part of me was wishing they'd bust out with "Sweet and Sour" or "I Just Keep Falling Away", but I still really enjoyed seeing them. It's always nice to finally be able to put a face with the vocals that I've heard for such a long time.
I don't know much about The Music Lovers. They're on Le Grande Magistery and even though the Popfest website says their from SF, most of them looked and seemed like they were from England. It was a nice set. I must admit that it was not my cup of tea, but it was still very enjoyable.
And then there was Bunnygrunt....
Jesus they rocked! I didn't know that three people could sound that loud. I was up front and noticed they were running the bass through a Rat distortion pedal... which is always a WONDERFUL thing. They were really funny and talked to the crowd quite often. Damn they were good. I had a smile on my face during their entire set and was hoping they would play longer than they did. A part of me wanted to yell out "Macho Beagle" but I realized that I'd look and sound like a complete idiot.
Human Television was coming on when I left. I wanted to stay to watch them, but I just really wanted to go back to the apartment. Mike and Andre (new friend!) told me that I should stay for them, but my feet really hurt from all of the walking (damn Vans... I need new shoes).
Someone should write a review of the Human Television set.
The Rickshaw Stop is a nice venue for a Popfest. Everyone there was incredibly nice and the sound was impressive. Nothing seemed muddy or high on the treble.
I've been here since Sunday and have met so many nice people. This city rocks. I wanna move here.
We're opening the show tomorrow (Friday) and I can't wait!
So far, it's been a fabulous week in San Francisco. I don't want it to end. There is still so much that I want to see here and I know I won't have enough time.
-Bob