When you book a show at a pizza place, you're doing something right. Let's be cleat about two other MAJOR factors in why this night ruled: quality of the pizza and yes…they served beer. Since this was my first time to this place, I had no idea what I was getting into. About 10 feet from the door is when
that smell hits you: fresh dough, cheese, tomato sauce, with a faint whiff of veggies being cooked in an oven. The place is packed with all types: lovers, families, a cop (good thing I smell like a skunk), friends, and just random people off the street. Luigi's is longer and a little more narrow. The seating is bench style with one long table on one side and smaller tables on the left. As soon as you walk in there is a door to your right, this is the door to the show space next door which is no bigger than the average loft apartment with high, exposed ceiling and a small stage in the corner.
Blind The Sun was up first. Let me start by saying any time you start your set with a joke that Lemmy tells (the one about the baby standing on a corner at 4am) you already have found a special place in my heart. These guys were pretty cool. Three piece from "Sac" playing somewhat standard rock n roll with sort of an edge. 3-5 minute songs (the first two bands played 30 minutes). Think if Cracker, Hum, and The Minutemen (minus the insane complexity) had a love child…
Cura Cochino played and, much like the first time I saw them, they destroyed. This band is heavy, dark, and very slow. All of their cleaner, dare I say softer parts are very brooding. I feel like I should be in a cloak doing something very strange while listening to them and something tells me a couple of their band members wouldn't be so bothered by that. They are a 5 piece, also from "Sac". The lead singer is a female and quite honestly there is something powerful in the presence of females in doom. Gender usually does not matter in music but damnit if the Bloody Pandas and the Electric Wizards and the Cura Chinos of the world all did a comp, I would buy it. Something interesting about this person, their singer, she dances to the songs. Now quite honestly, that is new. This is sound can be found by when was the last time you went to a doom show and saw a band member actually dance…never, exactly my point! I love this band but because of the length of some of their songs, a 30 minute set is over after maybe 5 songs (write some short ones, please?) All in all, I'm wearing their shirt as I write this so if that is any indication of how much joy I get out of hearing this band…I hope it translates well.
Ape Machine. You ever wonder what it would feel like to be trampled by a heard of yetis? Listen to this band. Holy fuck, Portland. You are lucky fuckers for being able to claim this band. Long, short…all of the songs were jams from beginning to end. Expect to read a record review on them soon. Not too much can really be said about this band because I'm still trying to gather my thoughts on what exactly it was that I was seeing and hearing. This is a band that should be supporting Baroness, The Sword, Lo-Pan, Clutch fans would probably lose their shit hearing this band too. Very west coast approach to rock with very pronounced Savannah, GA influences (ie. Kylesa, Baroness). I also found this band to be eerily similar to one of my personal favorite doom bands, Goatsnake. Everything right down to the guitars and the voice…the fucking pipes on their singer. There are only so many times in your life where you will get to hear someone who has an actual range and when the chance to hear that person do what they do presents itself, don't be a dick. Pay attention to what it is that's going on. Thank you, Ape Machine. Thank you so much!
Go to Luigi's in Sacramento. Get a slice, see a show. It's just that simple.
