concerts preview: benni hemm hemm & casiotone for the painfully alone at the middle east (upstairs), reviews, photos, mp3s
This concert review can also act as a concert preview as both are playing in SF, at the Bottom of the Hill in fact: Benni Hemm Hemm is there on July 16 and Casiotone is there on July 25. Who else will fly across the country just to give you a concert preview??
I got there just before Casiotone for the Painfully Alone (myspace) went on. I’ve talked about CftPA before. Owen Ashworth is a SF-based musician that is CftPA. It’s just him, a bunch of keyboards and samplers (not all casio, actually) and a mic for his vocals.
He did eight or ten songs this way. I’m not deeply steeped in his music so I can’t name them (though “I Love Creedence” and “Nashville Parthenon” were definitely among them) but it was fun. Just a good time with head-bobbing. The vocals were a bit monotonous at times but over all I enjoyed his set a lot.
For his last few songs, tour partner the Donkeys joined him on stage. I can’t say this was an improvement over Owen doing his solo thing.
Casiotone for the Painfully Alone – Casino Nights (mp3)
Casiotone for the Painfully Alone – Graceland (mp3)
Benni Hemm Hemm (myspace) was the headliner. They’re from Iceland so they’re just like Sigur Ros, right? Not really, but close, sort of.
Their stage set up was immediately intriguing. There were 9 of them jammed on this tiny stage. Drums in the back, with a layer of bass and electric guitar in front of him, then a line across of keys, guitar/ singer and four brass players. The brass players had among them two trumpets, two alto horns, a mellophone, two trombones and a sousaphone.
Their music had a range of sounds but a lot of it was post-rocky or orchestrated horn parts with dynamic builds interspersed with subdued singer-songwriter stuff sung in delicate Icelandic.
The band was a bit rough around the edges but still had some great-to-amazing points in their set. I’d like to see them when they’re a bit more rehearsed. My one big complaint was that they played a short set: a little under 45 minutes.
Benni Hemm Hemm – Stoffer (mp3)
Benni Hemm Hemm – Brekkan (mp3)
Benni Hemm Hemm – Snjor Ljos Snjor (mp3)
My recommendation: both acts are worth seeing later this month when they come through SF.
It’s been a long time since I’ve gone to a show at the Middle East. I have to say it felt great to be back. It’s a small (175 capacity) venue with a bit of an odd layout but with an apparent commitment to keep the cover prices low ($10). I’m all for that.
You can buy Casiotone albums here and Benni Hemm Hemm here.
