One of my many (and I do mean many) New Year's resolutions is to get out and see more live bands and to buy more live CDs.
I'm thinking it'll be an easy one to keep because 2006 turned out a ton of great live shows and discs.
Here's an informal list of a few of my faves. And, no, they don't include my husband's bands - cuz you know I can't officially brag about them even if I do think they're both the most awesome-est ever. (If you know me, you know which bands I'm talking about; if not, just be assured that they are, indeed, awesome.)
Anyhoo, on to the other local stuff I loved this year:
Pets: They've been a blast anywhere and anytime I've seen them. This duo is fun and fresh. They always look like they're having fun, too, and they pretty much double dog dare you to try and not dance along. Their debut CD "Pick Up Your Feet" pretty much stayed in my car's CD player for a month straight.
Agent Ribbons: This new duo really seemed to come out of nowhere and to impress just about everyone. With Natalie Gordon on vocals and guitar/banjo, and Lauren Hess on drums, Agent Ribbons puts a modern edge on old-timey-sounding folk-pop. Love it. Plus, their handcrafted CD cases are just too darn adorable.
The Little Medusas: This three-piece makes me wish I could go back in time and convince my teenage self to put down the TV remote and pick up the guitar. Featuring DinoGirl and Whitless - both 17-years-old - along with Goovie Ghoulies frontman Kepi on drums is just pure pop-punk fun. Seriously, I can't get their song "Zombie" outta my head.
Bright Light Fever: These guys (pictured at right) are still really green but they make some supercharged indie rock and I'm curious to see how far they'll go.
The Helper Monkeys: Speaking of green - or bands that used to be - I remember seeing Panda Bear Greens wayyyy back in the day when they were just, literally, kids. Now it's fun to see what they grew up to be. Well, kind of. The Helper Monkeys may feature former members of PBG, but they're not really any more grown-up - and that's the fun.
The Devastates: Ted Angel, Kortnee Randall, Danny Secretion and Keith Lionetti make purdy country twang with a slight punk twist. It's like George Jones and Tammy Wynette for a new generation.
Danny Secretion: Speaking of Danny - I love the Secretions but I really love Danny's solo sets - his stuff reminds me a lot of Elvis Costello or Dwight Twilley...if they were writing about zombies and vampires.
An Angle: I'll admit I didn't love this band the first several times I saw them live - they reminded me too much of Bright Eyes and, while I love Bright Eyes, I don't necessarily love a band that comes along later and sounds like them. Then I saw a few more shows and then I really heard their song "Green River" and I was persuaded to join the legion of Sacto fans.
Army of Trees: I've only seen this band once but so far I like their brand of smart power-pop rock. Plus, they're super-nice guys. That always wins points in my book.
OK, that's it for now - send me local band suggestions and help me keep at least one of my 2007 resolutions.
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