San Francisco, CA – 21 Aug 2023
A truncated show couldn’t keep the energy down
Although we moved to the Bay Area in march, I didn’t get settled enough to start seeing shows until June. Since that time I’ve hit four gigs at four different venues. That’s four times the amount of gigs I’ve seen live since Oct 2019.
The next place to cross off my list was Thee Parkside. A hop, skip, and a jump from Bottom of the Hill, Thee Parkside is a neat little venue with a mostly squarish shape, the bar on the left (walking in from the garden) and the stage taking up a hefty corner at the top right. Thee Parkside isn’t the smallest venue I’ve been in, but the stage takes up a decent chunk of it (I’d estimate between 1/5 and 1/6 of the floorspace).
Sadly, middle act Suzie True couldn’t make the gig due to Hurricane/Tropical Storm Hilary passing through the LA area. So the schedule was adjusted with Eichlers going on a bit later.
Eichlers is the stage name of Oakland’s Russ Wood. A hyperska/new tone act where Russ programs in the music, then gets on stage and tears apart the vocals all on their lonesome. There’s a lot of autotune, digital sampling, bubblegum beats and jumping. Good lord all of the jumping. Eichlers (or Ike for short) may have had the stage to themselves, but every inch of it not occupied by the drum set was fair game.
Ska is a much-maligned genre, mostly by people who hate happiness, or extra mozzarella sticks. Even within the community there are a few die hards who don’t like this “hyperska” stuff. I’ll admit that it can be surprising to the ears, but to deny that it is ska is wrong.
On that note, Ike knows exactly how to put a ska song together. Seeing them live is like seeing a hip-hop act that doesn’t even have a DJ on the turntables. Just performers on stage giving all their passion to the songs and the audience. Popular hits such as “Nickel City,” “2 of Us,” and “OHMYGOD” had the crowd bopping around, and some going completely wild (including Bad Time Records’ head Mike Sosinski, who clearly loves the bands on his label, and was dancing and singing along with every word).
After Eichlers finished up it was time for a break (and a sorely needed towel, Ike worked up a sweat! Being new to the area I was there on my lonesome, but everyone from the staff to crowd were welcoming (Hi Drew! Hi Lucy!).
Eventually Devon Kay & The Solutions came on and put on quite a show. The best bands are the ones who play as if they’re in front of the biggest audience ever, and this was no exception. From the start the energy was at about 200% and didn’t lay off for the entire set.
DK&TS aren’t entirely ska (although they have horns and a keyboard, and their latest album is Fine: A Ska EP), but more an amalgamation of indie/punk/ska. That doesn’t mean you ain’t gonna dance around and lotsa people were. Songs from across the discography were on the list tonight, including perhaps their biggest number “Fresh,” along with “Oh Glorious Nothing,” and “Pump Fake” and “Bitchin’ In Stereo” from that new EP.
Of surprising note was the sound. I don’t know it was just the acts, the sound guy, or what. But it sounded really fucking good. The horns were crisp and clear, the rhythm section was bassy and present, and all of the vocals stood out. It sounded so good, I hope someone took a tape of it.
Over at the merch tables Eichlers had some tees and albums, plus free buttons or stickers. I got a My Checkered Future button for my hat. DK&TS had a wide range of merch and albums, but no buttons. I’m still trying to lose some weight around the middle, so opted against any shirts again (although I really need some new band shirts… work out more, Jeff!).
the white drew carey (aka – Jeff Sorley) is the founder and head editor of TGEFM. He’s lived (outside of) Chicago, Madison WI, (ugh) Penn State, Lyon FR, Oxford UK, central New Jersey, and now within earshot of SFO in the Bay Area. When not scouring the web for more great bands and labels to post about, he also spends time drawing (mostly) silly sci-fi and anime stuff under the name Asplenia Studios.
