Operation Restore Maximum Freedom X - 10/2/10

ScoliosisRacoon — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 16:00:36 +0000

This was my first trip out to the KDVS organized festival since the first year I had come to Davis. That year we had showed up far to early and uncomfortably sat though some of the more esoteric acts preforming on the grass stage, as it were. That, coupled with a loss of power throughout Plainfield Station led to an early end once night started to roll in. This year with a little more knowledge of a few San Francisco preformers and a diligent run though of the myspace’s of the bands present I had a few picks in mind when headin up. I had a plan to at least see Super Wild Horses from Australia with the hopes of catching The Fresh and Onlys and Sacramento locals Ganglians. However, my want to miss some early acts and questionable scheduling decisions by the powers that book left me in out in the cold for all three bands, only catching the tail end of Ganglians. I don’t understand why you wouldn’t put Super Wild Horses last. They traveled so far, are on national tour, and are garnering some buzz that it doesn’t make sense to have them play so early in the day. Instead the noisy and scream-y Aids Wolf was chosen to be last. While the band does fit some of the same criteria as Super Wild, the choice left more than just myself a little confused and cold. I was left so cold in fact that my bitter tweet was enough to garner a response from band. Sorry about that guys, admittedly my comment was a little over the top. Instead on focusing on what went wrong let’s move to what was right, like the awesome steak taco I had, delicious.

The first band I got to see a full set of was Wounded Lion who filled the stage with with their energy and band members. The band plays a sort of 60′s garage only with way to many members for a 60′s garage band. The somehow end up sounding minimalist with as many members as they had which is impressive in it’s own right. Definitely fun and sing along despite the forcing-the-words-out-of-his-throat singing style of the lead singer. Sadly I didn’t get a picture of these guys, which is disappointing because it would have been the only good on as the sun was still up.

Next up was Mattresses from Portland, who, with the aid of backing tracks recorded to cassette and hooded drummer, strutted around on stage like the second coming of Ian Curtis or Jarvis Crocker, take your pick. It was definitely a change of pace compared to the stripped down garage sounds on display, with some synth sounds and electronic beats coming out with the tape player. A treat to hear some of what I guess I would term, dark pop. I really wish the singer’s voice was not as muddled in the mix, though, it wasn’t all the soundman’s fault since the vocals were a bit over processed. It’s a shame since the takes I listened to online had a much clearer sound to them. Oh well, still good though.

The last band who I payed attention too was Big Black Cloud. Their name lead to some hilarity as I asked who was playing next and a friend responded “Big Black C..” and I sort of filled in the blank with cock. Oops, maybe they should change their name to it? Any who, the band brought back some good memories of basement hardcore shows I had attended back in the day in Cincinnati. Could have done without the moshing though, I mean it’s not like we were at Woodstock ’99 out there or anything. Aye, oh. Forceful sound and some pretty nice guitar and bass work, what’s not to like?

Despite some of the many short comings of the night I still had an overall good time and will most likely attend the next gathering. Hopefully I get to hang out with the same fun people, the tacos stay just as good, and at some point during the night we get to discuss our favorite William Riker moments on TNG. That man is a legend (of sleaze).

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Operation Restore Maximum Freedom X - 10/2/10