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Bottom of the Hill May 4, 2001 Review by Squid This evening was special because it was a benefit for Squid's dear pal Adam who ran a marathon for Leukemia. That he managed to secure three top notch yet totally different bands to play this gig was nothing short of stunning. This was definitely a show that brought different scenes together, and was pretty fascinating to watch. The place was packed to the gills by the time The Aislers Set hit the stage. Their ferociously loyal yet lovable fans had staked their spots at the front and started shrieking the minute founder Amy Linton hit the stage. We were really taken aback by how confident and together Aislers are now...particularly bassist Alicia Vandenhevvel who has utterly come out of her shell and was really inspiring to watch. They played the living hell out of songs like 'Holiday Gone Well' and just absolutely decimated 'The Red Door'. As we stood off to the side with Brad watching the audience pogo all over itself, there was the bittersweet feeling that The Aislers Set have graduated to the next level of fame. We'll happily follow them to the Great American Music Hall, but it's the smaller shows at the Bottom of the Hill that we'll remember most fondly. The For Stars played a set largely comprised of new material, which was just fine with Daz, as she loves all their stuff. She thought they sounded great and even tighter than usual. The more she listens their new album, 'We Are All Beautiful People', the more she gets out of it, and this particular performance, she reckons, was the evening where it just all came together. Not to be left out, Squid was also treated to her fave song, 'Bleu', with its train-chugging beat and curlicue keyboards. Daz explained that many times For Stars lyrics are heartbroken, but that the title track on this newest album hints at a more heightened sense of optimism for Carlos Forster and Co. The Court and Spark kicked the evening off to an almost totally full house. It was sort of a wistful show, since we knew they wouldn't be performing again for a while. Squid got to hear her new favorite, "Pearly Gates", while she watched drummer James Kim keep time illuminated by that crazy bulletcracked window at the back of the stage. Lead singer MC Taylor maintained the mood with those wizened, gravelly vocals of his. Just another great evening of twang'n'haze with our heroes, y'all. Now singer Wendy Allen will hit the road with Tarentel while the other band members chill before the new TC&S album comes out a little later this summer. In the meantime, the faithful can keep busy with Taylor's solo project that operates under the name Boxharp. This gorgeously abstract album is a must have for all TC&S fans. Pick it up at Aquarius Records. --- Many of us know Adam because we work at KUSF Read more of our reviews of The Court and Spark: Review - Great American Music Hall, April 28, 2001 Review - Noe Valley Ministry, March 30, 2001 Review - Second Annual Sleepless Nights, Great American Music Hall, August 12, 2000 playinginfog.com |