Several times, from behind a wall marked “Band Only” to the right of the outdoor stage at Red 7, as we listened to the hard rocking of the Thermals and the hipster musements of Yoni Wolf (what an image that name conjures), the masked and querulous visage of a strange looking fellow would appear for a moment, squirrel-like, and then duck out of sight. The second or third time this occurred I noticed that the Zorroesque bandit mask around his eyes was in fact painted on, like a football player overambitious with the kohl. He wore red leather pants with a triangiform design down one leg, and a matching shirt. He scanned the audience and did not appear to find what he was looking for. Once Yoni was done with his lonely keyboard, this Zorro appeared on stage, followed by a troupe of similarly clad musicians. These were the members of Fol Chen—a misguided band from California. A masked keyboardist, a masked bassist, a masked lead singer/guitarist with heroic hair, a drummer (the squirrelly one), and another keyboardist, also masked, this one the only lady member of the troupe. The seeming arbitrary-yet-loud nature of their costume was to be a precursor of their sound: an intentional (one hopes) cacophony of mashed chords and wailing falsetto vocals and sloppy rhythms, yet with none of the fuller and more fulfilling mystery of Deerhoof, nor the wailing soul and sexiness of Beck at his more whimsical—though it seemed they had intended some sort of amalgam of the two. Like the kid who sits in the front row of philosophy class, they appeared to have a lot of interesting ideas they could not quite grasp, let alone put into words, yet hesitated not at all to do so anyway. But there was a strip of sun at the outside edge of the tent in which one could stand, mostly content, and daydream as the kid had his say.
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Two songs go in, one comes out. Pick a side.
Also, I have yet to pay this venue a visit, is it good spot? good people, good vibe, good atmosphere?
... man, i hope i win some tickets…
by Jaz Bonnin-Aldatz on Thu May 17, 2012 at 12.27 am from the entry: It's all good, see Fishbone for free at Fête
Looking forward to the show. Would love to win some tix for my pals.
by MC Breath on Wed May 16, 2012 at 07.40 pm from the entry: It's all good, see Fishbone for free at Fête
I’m dying to see him no better place than FETE!!
by Telly on Tue May 15, 2012 at 02.57 pm from the entry: we'll see you (and Talib Kweli) at Fête!
Sound does matter. Viva Le Fete!
by Auquanetta on Tue May 15, 2012 at 01.13 pm from the entry: we'll see you (and Talib Kweli) at Fête!
YES! i MUST go to this show! i was just strollin down the street the other day and saw the poster! SO stoked they’ll be in town.
by Jaz on Mon May 14, 2012 at 05.30 pm from the entry: It's all good, see Fishbone for free at Fête
Fete Forever!!
by Tabitha on Mon May 14, 2012 at 05.08 pm from the entry: we'll see you (and Talib Kweli) at Fête!
Congratulations and thank you to Fete for bringing talent to Providence! We needed this venue and vibe. Bless.
oh and I’d love to win tickets; its my boyfriends bday:D
by Ellen on Mon May 14, 2012 at 07.23 am from the entry: we'll see you (and Talib Kweli) at Fête!
i sort of dig the face paint :)
I got a solution: you’re a dick!
absolutely spot on. this band sucks.
I didn’t think it was possible for Asthmatic Kitty to have a bad artist. Well, maybe they just need time to improve the live show - I like the tracks I’ve heard from them.