Nov
03
2009

Violet Wild @ Olive Branch

(Add / View Comments) (0)PhotosTuesday, November 3, 2009 - 11:23:26 pm
(Posted Under: Tempe Music Scene Tempe Music Scene, Music Music, Live Shows)
It was September 2006 that I first heard Violet Wild (from the ashes of Mink Rebellion and The Black Moods) and tonight, 3 years later, I finally got to see them live for the first time. Tonight's gig was a 'soundcheck' kind of affair for the Olive Branch, a restaurant where the former Last Exit owner is now booking bands. Sweet part of the deal for us is that it's on Mill and Southern, just across from Yucca, so it's a 3 minute drive from the apartment!

On the way over there, it dawned one me that it could have actually been a Josh & Bobby acoustic night given the venue. I'd been really pumped up about seeing the full band without every considering that. However, we got there and there was a drum kit set up on thee stage - rock!

The venue seemed cool, we didn't know what to expect given that it's a restaurant by day, but it's a pretty cool set up, a decent sized stage and plenty of room on the floor. Before long Josh was on stage getting set up. While that was going on, I noticed Lance Wilson walk in which was really cool. I knew I'd run into him at some point now that we're living here, I didn't expect so early. I went up and said hi and like so many other people, asked me how long I was in town for and was surprised when the answer was "forever".

Photobox ImageI noticed the bass drum branded with "Violet Wild" early on, which I thought was impressive. Bobby referenced it during the show, so it seems like that's a new thing.

The band started around 8:30, and did what seems like a few new songs, which was really cool, and immediately made me think of our conversation driving back from Wheaton a few months ago. One of the ones they played was One Last Second Chance, which Bobby introduced as "a ditty we've been working on", so it was cool to confirm that it's an original. They played it on Local Frequency months ago, and I haven't been sure about whether it was a new song or a cover.

Photobox ImageThere were a couple of covers to begin with, but then the Violet Wild stuff kicked in. It was really cool to me that they did Bump On The Head, which I've never heard them do before. Hitchicker was particularly rockus with Mr. Kennedy totally rocking it up - blew the album version out of the water! Bobby noticed Katie's Dumb & Sullen t-shirt at the beginning of Luna, and suggested the million dollar idea of putting F-R-E-E at the beginning of it. It took me a while to get it. [wink] I was pretty happy when they played Rare Disease, which Bobby said they hadn't played in a while.

During the second set, Josh left the stage to go to the bathroom, without warning, prompting Bobby to invite everyone up to the bar for shots - leaving Josh with a "what the fuck?!?" look in his face when we walked back out and no one was on the stage. He joined everyone at the bar, and after the shots - walked back into the bathroom. Hilarious! They closed out with a cover of Hurt So Good, Along For The Ride and Concrete Lake.

Photobox ImageAll pretty awesome. Because it was kind of a sound check / rehearsal deal, there was a very laid back cool vibe. And the fact that it started so early was awesome, because we've been going out so much - the concept of getting home at a reasonable time was very appealing. We headed out for a smoke to wait for Aaron to settle his tab, and Bobby stopped us and thanked us for coming out and chatted for a bit, which we were both very impressed by. He'd noticed that we both knew all the songs, and Katie explained how we'd been in Australia but I'd been really into the band. After the smoke, we headed back inside to wait for Aaron - I took a bathroom break, and coming out Bobby stopped me and thanked me again for coming out (no, seriously man, my pleasure, I'd been dying to see these for years!).

We waited for Aaron at the bar, and just before leaving I asked Josh whether he's playing on Thursday night - since we'd been under the impression that Violet Wild and Velvet Elvis were playing in Scottsdale, but there was some question about that. He confirmed it, and suggested that we should come out - again, you don't have to ask me twice!

So a great night - the Olive Branch being so close for us, and the 8pm start time is really sweet. I'd love for this to be a regular Tuesday night thing, and we think Bobby might have suggested as such from stage, so here's to hoping!

To end a great night, Hey Jealousy came on the radio. It's never lost on me how often you can here a Hopkins song in this town, whether it be over the airwaves, or someone covering something at a bar.

Switch Styles

About Style Switching.

!Weblog Index

Oct November 2009 Dec
SU MO TU WE TH FR SA
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31

Categories

RSS FeedRSS Feed