There’s no turning back now.
After exhausting hard work and toil, playing every tiny, dark, sticky, stinky venue in LA and beyond since 2004 — Silverlake’s own Silversun Pickups finally headlined the beautiful outdoor venue of the Greek Theater. SSPU kicked off their own headlining tour after opening for Muse this year.
SSPU wasn’t the only hometown band playing Friday night. The good-time feeling The Henry Clay People busted out the messy wavy hair and plaid as fans started gathering in from their expensive beer runs. Playing some catchy tunes from Somewhere on the Golden Coast was the perfect way to get the party started. Where’s my PBR?
As jaded as we can be, LA warmly welcomed Floridian’s Against Me! who turned things way up to get some heads banging and bodies moving. Tom Gabel and company tore it up on the guitars and set the bar for our darlings SSPU. Where’s my Jameson?
Finally, our family of Brian Aubert (lead vocals/guitar), Nikki Monninger (vocals/bass), Joe Lester (keyboards) and Christopher Guanlao (drums) took their places in front of a simple backdrop with changing solid colors. Guanlao’s drumkit was set high on a riser so we could witness his head and hair moving in constant rhythm to his pounding beats.
Kicking off the set was “Growing Old is Getting Old” followed by hit “Well Thought Out Twinkles.” After grinning ear-to-ear for five songs, Aubert then addressed his hometown crowd by stating “Holy Fuck! Please excuse the glee that is fucking coming out of our pores. We’re a little excited. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
Aubert was truly humbled by the outpouring of applause and cheers as people finally stood up during “Little Lovers So Polite.” Distorted guitar riffs and passionate vocals on “Future Foe Scenario” provoked the crowd to go nuts during Aubert’s screams.
Aubert spoke again, letting us know he wasn’t kidding how truly humbled they were. “Honestly, this is really really fucking insane for us.“ They never possibly imagined it would end here because they had been to the Greek so many times as fans. Aubert pointed out to the people trying to get in the pit — “eventually you’ll get in.” “I can smell the weed”, to the people in the trees behind the theater, “I was that guy” recalling being in the trees for Radiohead.
Silversun Pickups - Panic Switch.mp3
Silversun Pickups – Panic Switch [MP3] off the album Swoon
Now that I felt like I was at a family reunion, “Panic Switch” had everyone up dancing and singing straight through “Lazy Eye” which rounded out the set.
Upon return for the encore, Aubert asked the crowd to be quiet as Nikki has a joke. “Want to hear Nikki’s joke?” As Nikki spoke in her soft, sweet voice “Is there a snake doctor in the house?” as she flexes her biceps. “Cuz these pythons are sick.” She then gently kisses each one. Yep, Nikki definitely is a sick bass player and we love her.
Although it’s standard for most bands to play their biggest hits as the encore, I’m glad SSPU didn’t. “Substitution” and “Common Reactor” brought the end to our little fairytale. As Aubert left the stage, he sat down near the monitors and looked up at the crowd beaming. He kept scooting back, playing with us by peeking around to make sure it was really happening, taking it in. Yes, SSPU, it really happened. Where’s my champagne?
Setlist:
Growing Old is Getting Old
Well Thought Out Twinkles
Sort Of
There’s No Secrets This Year
The Royal We
Little Lovers So Polite
It’s Nice to Know You Work Alone
Future Foe Scenario
Kissing Families
Catch & Release
Panic Switch
Lazy Eye
Encore:
Substitution
Common Reactor
MORE PHOTOS OF AGAINST ME! AND THE HENRY CLAY PEOPLE AFTER THE JUMP
Against Me!
The Henry Clay People
