Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Eagles of Death Metal, Imaad Wasif, Grand Ole Party @ SOMA San Diego 9.29.6
by K. Nielsen 09.29.06

I walked in to the Grand Ole Party and my eyes were immediately glued to center stage - to head-mic'd, full-voiced, female drummer, Kristin Gundred. Okay yeah, I'm biased - a woman on the stage will get my attention every time. But let me say that Kristin is not just another chick up on stage. Her voice, with an old-time-radio-type effect, cuts and jars in rhythm with her drumming. Syncopated.drilling. Her melodies, choppy and attacking, drive the songs to a steady, head-nodding, metronome beat.

On either side of Kristin's drum set were bassist, Mike Krechnyak, and guitarist, John Paul Labno . The Party's sound is raw - rough and heavy beats with some air in between. The drums are sparse..and the crunchy guitar and modest bass offer little relief to the tension.

I liked the set. I was entertained throughout. I am curious how the three will mix it up in the future and will definitely keep a watch for full-length recordings and live performances.

Next set was Imaad Wasif (playing also with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs). The performance was nice...music is slowcore-ish, dramatic, and emotional.

After Imaad, the Eagles of Death Metal took the stage. Great, great live show! Prancing about with a bushy mustache, sunglasses, tight blue jeans, and biker boots, Carols Von Sexron (a.k.a. Jesse Hughes) definitely entertains. Equally fun to watch are drummer Josh Homme (from Queens of the Stone Age), guitarist / vocals Dave Catching, and bassist / vocals Brian O'Connor. Read the line-up history here: Eagles of Death Metal Bio. The Eagles' rock show puts a smile on your face!

Last of course, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Karen O's stage experience? She's a Cirque de Soleil reject, a Cabaret nightmare.and absolutely excellent fun! She's art in tights and a funny plastic leotard, doing little jigs and funny poses, then thrashing and spitting into the air. Karen owns the Yeah-mania-struck kids in front of her, wooing them. She was wet the entire time - from splattering, pouring, spewing or just dumping bowls full of water and whatever else was in the cups, all over her head and face.

The music? Nick Zinners' guitars have many different tunings. Yes, I can definitely hear that in the songs.disjointed, jagged, sporadic.a distinctive sound. Brian Chase on drums, is sensitive.emotionally attached to Karen's dynamics: whispers at times and guttural yells at others. Joining the Yeahs on tour is Imaad Wasif - orange jumpsuit, surrounded by keys and pedals..some acoustic guitar and bass. His arms wrapped around his knees, rocking to and fro to the music at times.

I really liked the double Micokorgs, Karens' props, and most memorable will be the Yeah Yeah Yeah's audience...such intense devotion! Every lyric that Karen extended was sung back to her with passion! A great experience all around.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs Myspace
Eagles of Death Metal Myspace
Imaad Wasif Myspace
Grand Ole Party Myspace

mp3 YYYs & Etienne De Cracy - Fast Hearts (eve massacre mix)