First time at DGBD. This is my kind of venue. Reminds me a bit of iSpy from the great olden days in Seattle. You walk down a set of cement stairs not knowing what to expect and find yourself on the top floor/catwalk looking down over the stage. Walking all the way to the back, you come upon a set of stairs to the lower/main level, where the bar/merch booth is. Loved the roses strewn all about the banister. Not sure if that is always there, or just for this show.... great ambience here. I was stuck up on the upper floor for the first three bands, so video/audio is a bit sketchy, please bare with me.
Cool thing about this particular show -- Psychedelic Factory is that each band was essentially nominated by a fan, who wrote a letter in support of getting said band a spot in the lineup. At some point in the show, each frontman read a letter from a fan. While I can't agree that every band here truly qualified as "psychedelic", they all could fall under the umbrella, and a better lineup would be a bit hard to find.
KUMCA
First time seeing KUMCA. I keep saying I am not a fan of female vocalists, and yet I keep having to qualify that statement. So excuse me while I qualify it one more time, and then I won't use it anymore. Lilting and just a little bit husky. Think a bit of Liz Phair circa "Divorce Song"... backed by strong, but sweet guitar lines -- not too hard, not too soft. What I like best about KUMCA is the dreamy guitar riffs that you could certainly spend an afternoon staring at the sky while daydreaming and listening to them. I particularly love the tones from the electric guitar. Whatever pedals he is using, I want.Also the first time seeing this trio and.... I'm a fan. I know, you're thinking, I'm a fan of everything here. I admit, I have a hard time finding music I DON'T like... NoReByu [as they are called by fans here] are a bit psychedelic, a bit post-rock, and a bit rock. Whereas KUMCA has you staring at the sky, NoReByu just has this incredibly *DEEP* feeling that you can completely lose yourself in. Almost like you are peeling an onion, layer by layer. I am not qualified to make statements on the sound of drums, but I like the high and tight sound of the drums here. I will freely admit, their album is great, but NoReByu really shines live... and I honestly respect that incredibly in a band. I really want to see these guys again.
What can I say about these guys that I haven't said before. I recently watched a video on youtube about how boring bass players are. There was a statement that "the drummer is sitting down the whole show and even HE is killing it." ...that won't ever be a problem for L&T. Park Sunbin is arguably one of my favorite [certainly top 3] bass players to watch here -- pretty much ALWAYS killing it. I stand by my previous statements of Jinsil having a distinctive voice that at first was a bit difficult for me to completely feel, but having bought the album and listened I have really come to love their music, distinctive voice and the oft-used cowbell and wood block included. L&T's music has an almost deceptively simple feel to it. They have become one of the first bands I try to introduce friends to because they just have that *something*... Another band that plays great on the album, and better live. They like to make obvious sections in their music, and so the clip I am sharing here is a bit short, as I keep managing to record the first and last of this song "대양" because I really *LOVE* the bassline.
ironic HUE
Normally when someone asks me to choose a favorite band... that's so hard. It's like... choosing your favorite child. You aren't even supposed to do that, even though secretly, deep down, you really do. ironic HUE is that favorite child. I just can't get around it. Recently discussing their music with my guitar teacher, he mentioned something I hadn't though about before. I already knew that ironic HUE had something special... you can't see them live and not know it. But upon discussing HOW to write music of this particular genre [we'll call it post-rock, for lack of further qualification]... there are easy ways to write it, and hard ways... or maybe simple and involved is a better way to put it. Some post-rock is simply two or more different lines going on at the same time. But the really involved... the way ironic HUE has it... you have one line that speaks, and the other line answers. This perfectly mirrors the way the two guitarists are in real life. Even seeing these two from afar.... it's one of those things... you just KNOW. It matches. It is just perfect. [I have only seen this one other time before... Rocky Votolato... you couldn't be in the same room with him and not feel the love he has for his wife]... it is absolute love. That's what ironic HUE's music is for me. This perfectly-balanced expression of love, in musical form. So please, if you just listen to one of these bands, and you haven't heard ironic HUE before, indulge in a little bit of perfectness from my favorite child.People often ask me how I have the nerve to just walk up and say hello to some of the bands I talk to -- especially as I have only a small amount of Korean to rely upon. My answer is that... well... for as long as I can remember, my dream has been to be involved in music somewhere in Asia. Haha, that's pretty vague, right? The thing is, my philosophy on life is... we only have one guaranteed life. We sure as hell better make sure we are enjoying what we have. Every day is a new opportunity to try something new. To experience something different. To do the unexpected. Telefly is one of the few bands [along with ironic HUE] where I am SO in awe of the music and amazing talent that I actually am too intimidated to even try talking to them. I said "hi" once to the singer/guitarist because I was standing next to him in the crowd prior to them going onstage but... I was running out the door and since I didn't get to see them play that night, at least wanted to let him know I was a fan. And actually... he was so nice. We chatted for a few minutes, and I had to go catch my bus. I think that added to the mystique of how great Telefly is for me. Here is this band that is completely, ridiculously talented, consummate professionals, and they were still willing to take a few minutes prior to their show and talk to me. Unexpected. I find every time I see Telefly, I get to appreciate something new. Seeing the singer read the fan letter, then get offstage and give her a hug... yeah... unexpected. So while I have seen them several times [and will see them many more times], I was so happy to see this side of him. Their music... is why I think I can call myself a blues fan... Unexpected. King of the Blues indeed.
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