Zu’s Bassist Massimo

In a limited way of words, how is it possible for me express the level of my anticipation in seeing this show? When Nels told me he’s friends with this Italian band Zu, their long reputation for being extremely supportive in the music community, as well as being these hard working super guys, I was even more all over this. I was up in the Bay Area for a 10 day hang with Nels, and his trio, the Singers for their recording… many of favorite people/friends in one place, Devin, Scott, Breskin, and Saint, doing what each of them do best. This show was thrown into the mix of one of The Things to be attended.

Once again Nels was extremely generous with his impossible schedule. Even when he needed all the possible time to write, rehearse, and practice for the recording session just a few days away, he still made the time to take me to this show. He knew I would like the music, this “Roman metal/math/no-wave/free noise/punk/jazz trio”. (Well, he did want to see his friends, too.)  Little did we know the kind of near-red carpet reception from the Great American Music Hall would later make this evening such a… trip. If only I was a drunkard, I would have abused the loads of free drink tickets given to us. I instead stuck with my known limit of the outrageous number of 3 beers, that is, when I’m shooting. Otherwise, I could have as much as 5? These days, anything in excess just makes me sleepy.

Never in excess, actually, is the amount of music I can compile on lately. As I drift along, attaching myself to different sources of music branches of personalities, I’ve learned to live on it.

The opening band cancelled (who and why, I’ll never know…) DJ Belladonna of the local radio station KFJC stepped in and played some insanely awesome stuff. Her selections of the evening was on the tip of industrial experimental low level ground covering…. mmmm…… undertone beats and drones. One after another was just freaking me out. I had to run and get her information. One band I got her to write down for me was C.O.T.A. , and their song “Children of the Apocalypse”. I still can’t find it. This music gave me all kinds of ideas for my future projects.

The band promptly started at 10 p.m. The audience was of mixed age, loosely packed yet excited. This type of crowd I still haven’t gotten the right impression of… They are a combination of too cool and too enthusiastic. I wondered if I was also one.  But my enthusiastic was well reasonable. There I was about to meet my new set of amazingly talented, visionary friends. The too cool part, I’m still trying to shred, but I can’t help it sometimes knowing that it took me years to feel like I belong somewhere – No, scratch that, more like, it took me all my life to be comfortable enough to accept that people don’t hate me by default…. Ah, too personal. Back to the jolly night that it became….

Immediately I was drawn to Massimo, the bassist. His smile was sincere and welcoming. Soon after, I got the good nature sense of Luca’s, the baritone player. I eve dropped on Nels and Patton’s conversation a bit over their discussion of gear boxes. That was amusing. I’ve met Patton a couple of times before, the last being from the Moonchild gig over a year ago, also in this same GMH place. He was polite. I didn’t get to talk to him at all after a friendly introduction, only got to watch him wrapping up his gadgets. I also didn’t get to talk to Jacopo, the drummer. The rest of the short after show evening was funny and pleasant. Nels was in a great mood, maybe the quality of their tequilas were acceptable? I threatened to go to Mexico City with the band, as I could see them for being my newest potential favorite (I did not miss my chance to diss Nels’s trio as old news to me, now that I’ve secured the Silent Fourth Member slot. Nels was so sweet as to recommend that I’m not much trouble to have along.)

And the night was concluded in such a super weird ideal way. We didn’t even have any problems finding a street parking near the venue. I want to make a point to see them again, Europe or where ever.

Zu's Drummer Jacopo

Luca, Nels, and Jacopo after show

Massimo and Luca

Patton and Jacopo

Royston Langdon

Spacehog -  a band famous for a dramatic 70s style glam rock in the 90s is back. I have seen them many times, the first being on Sunday April 14, 1996 at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco. I only know that date because I just googled it… The other few times in Los Angeles, I couldn’t find the dates. Oh, wait -Here’s another – Saturday March 13, 1998 at the Hollywood Athletic Club was the one I took the most pictures posted here under the vintage area.

This is a great band. Each member have their own vibes. Together they are fun to photograph because they can be so animated. I find it challenging to really get that energy translated in my photography style framework. Maybe I might have to break down and use a flash on them? Depends. 

So, August 1, 2008 – First time in possibly 10 years I’ve seen the band. I was excited to see what they are about these days with the reunion. I was also nervous to see what kind of fans do they have these days? Maybe people my age who remember them the way I do? I ended up didn’t analyze the crowd so much. It was hard to say if the people were there for them, or for the headliner The Subways, which band I knew nothing about. They were actually a great band as I later found out. 

So, my impression of the show was this – They were just as I remembered them. A slight bit ‘lose’ as for them trying to reach out to connect with the audience. They didn’t seem to have as much fun as before (which was overly) – understandably they are 10 years older. As was I – who is viewing them from a different state now. I do look forward to hear what their new material, and hear more about what they have been up to all these time.
 

Friday August 8, 2008

more Royston, easy target

Antony Langdon

Vintage

The following are pictures I’ve taken over 10  years ago. Starting from 1996 as stated earlier. 

Sunday April 14, 1996

Richard Steel, Great American Music Hall 1996

Royston Langdon, Great American Music Hall 1996

Jonny Cragg at the Great American Music Hall, SF 1996

Spacehog Antony Langdon

The following ones were from The Hollywood Athletic Club Saturday March 13, 1998 – Apparently I’m missing a ton of photos from when they played at the Dragonfly a couple of times in between these 2 shows.

 Saturday March 13, 1998

Spacehog at the Hollywood Athletic Club

Antony

Royston and Richard

Royston

Royston

Antony

Richard