Something Like Sound

The Pseudo Dates are not your average rock band. Thier sound can best be described as a combination of DIY-punk, surf-rock, and a touch of 80′s pop. This group has a certain attention to detail that is even visible on the hand-screened CD packaging.

There’s a certain amount of “feel-good-ery” that goes on when you first start listening to 400 Some Odd Songs. Perhaps its the upbeat guitars and drums, or the clap-along parts. “We love you, yes we do” are the lyrics that kick open the record, which automatically put me in a good mood (I suppose having the Pseudo Dates love me is a good thing, right?)

The rest of the record plays through like a bit like an old school surf record (with plenty of “Ba-ba-ba-ba”s thrown in). However, there are a few slower songs thrown in there (“Ah, Sunflower” starts pretty mellow, then crescendos into a loud instrumental closing).

Toward the middle of the record is my favorite track, “Amber, Show Me Your Scars.” This track typifies the Psuedo Date sound and is a great natural progression from the big closing to “Ah, Sunflower.” The rest of the record ebbs and flows through a decent mix of sounds (“Amateur Night At The Shooting Range” is another good slow one).

Overall, this album is a fun listen. Unlike many pop-rock albums, the Pseudo Dates use varying dynamics to achieve a well-rounded record. This album (complete with it’s long-to-type-out-again name) is available on iTunes.

Watch a video of these guys hand-screening the record (and check out some of their MySpace while you’re at it)

If you haven’t noticed, I’ve been out of town for a few days and so there have been no posts. I’m finally back in Golden (although I’ll be in Fort Collins this week to do my annual climb of Longs Peak). We roadtripped across great expanses of wheat and corn fields to see our friends get married and pay a visit to the grave of Elvis Presley.

I’ve had another bit of an influx of materials, so expect to see the following soon:

Warped Tour Preview Coverage: We will be at the 15th anniversary of the travelling punk-rock festival next Sunday. If everything works out we’ll have interviews with Underoath, Alexisonfire, and Single File (and whoever else we can talk to).

Gregory Alan Isakov’s This Empty Northern Hemisphere Review: I almost forgot about this one, but I’m already loving this album.

The Pseudo Dates’ 400 Some Odd Songs in 400 Some Odd Nights Review: A bit of post-coverage from the UMS to do still, also loving this album too.

Finally, watch the new video from Denver’s The Heyday for their song “Come In or Stay Out,” a track that will be featured on our forthcoming compilation

If Saturday got me down, Sunday got me back up again. Although the clouds hung low in the sky and menaced us throughout the afternoon, the tired, hungover patrons (and bands) of the Underground Music Showcase refused to let it dictate how the day was going to go.

Upon arrival Jake and I headed down to TS Board Shop for The Pseudo Dates, a great upbeat group. Their set can best be described as a lively combination of punk, surf, and a touch of 80′s pop. It certainly put a smile on my face (both with their music and singer/bassist Suzi Allegra’s punk-rock sense of fashion).

From there I decided we had to see Hawks of Paradise. I had seen this group open for Akron/Family on St. Pattie’s day, and remembered it as a pretty good set. Well, their set at the UMS was definitely memorable (musically, their brand of rock music played well with the upbeat attitude I was forming). What came as a bit of a surprise was the end of their set, when they announced, rather nonchalantly, that the preceding songs were their last… ever.
Edit: I read on Reverb this morning that they might not actually be breaking up, way to go guys.

Jake missed the Houses set at the Hi-Dive on Friday night, so we stuck around the C*****s outdoor stage (that’s right, I’m independent, none of this sponsor-toting crap until I see some dollars rolling my way from you Cartoys). What I said about their Friday set can pretty much be applied to their Sunday set (especially since they were very similar, both were quite enjoyable and had fairly well sized crowd attendances).

1090 Club

Achille Lauro

We stayed a little longer at the outdoor stage to see friends-to-the-blog, 1090 Club. Their set was solid, but I felt a little bad because the crowd really thinned out (next time, Denver, next time support this band). Although I soon found myself walking over to catch Achille Lauro. I must say, they have a unique way of doing things: half the time they’ve got their synths and patches going, the other times they’re playing like a traditional 4-piece. Taken as a whole, I was definitely not bored, and had to stay on my toes to keep up with what was happening next.

After a quick stop by Persian Gourmet for some delicious falafel (my new favorite food; take note everyone who wants to buy me dinner), it was back to the main stage for what was shaping up to be an incredible set from Everything Absent or Distorted. Although this was another band that I had seen earlier in the festival, that certainly did not take any of the thunder out of their set.

Armed with a healthy variety of instruments (3 guitars, 1 bass, 1 accordion, 1 banjo, 1 drum-kit, 1 trombone, 2 keyboards, and various other random noisemakers), EAOD played one of the most ruckus sets I have ever seen; perhaps the word that best describes it: swashbuckling. A whiskey-fueled frenzy of energetic sound, EAOD did not go quietly into the night. As they finished their set, they decided to play another song, a cover of The National’s “Abel,” a fitting temporary closing (until they officially call it good in November).

“My mind’s not right”

-The National

At this point I was truly tired. The combination of my fatigue and the incredible set from EAOD had me convinced that it would be best to end  on a high note. Stay tuned for a proper “Reflections on the UMS” post, complete with suggestions for next year’s festival.

Here comes the second, just like the first, a little bit louder and a whole lot worse.

Saturday

Joseph Pope III (Rock The Cradle, 3 pm): I haven’t had a chance to catch his solo act yet, but I have enjoyed what he has added to The Wheel.

Elin Palmer (South Broadway Christian Church, 4pm): After seeing her play Friday night, I’m impressed (and also a little intrigued to learn more about Sweden). I might not show up to this one (since I did just see her), but you definitely should check it out.

In The Red (TS Board Shop, 5:30 pm): As a band on the local Suburban Home Records, I’ve heard alot about these guys, but haven’t heard them live yet.

Astrophagus (Hi-Dive, 6:30 pm): A band that combines beautiful and trippy soundscapes with guitar and trumpet. It’s like the ’59 sound remixed.

Wardens (Hi-Dive, 8:00 pm): I met the lovely ladies from Wardens Friday night, and I said I’d be there. Plus these girls came all the way from Brooklyn.

Danielle Ate The Sandwich (Hornet, 8:15 pm): Ukulele madness! You gotta love Danielle’s unique style

Dualistics (Skylark, 9:30 pm): Get ready to rock out, plus hear some new tunes from this group.

Bad Weather California (Hi-Dive, Midnight): Another excellent closer for the evening, Bad Weather will certainly not let Saturday go quietly into the night.

Sunday

The Pseudo-Dates (TS Board Shop, 3:30 pm): Another band I met during the festival. These guys seem like a fun bunch, so why not check them out (what else would you be doing at 3:30 on a Sunday?)

Hawks of Paradise (Goodwill Parking Lot, 4:30): Last time I saw these guys was opening for Akron/Family, and I remember it being very loud (in a good way).

1090 Club (Goodwill Parking Lot, 6 pm): I already did a write up on these guys, read that.

Andrea Ball (Hi-Dive, 8:15 pm): I had “Beat Beat Pound” stuck in my head today (again), maybe she can get it stuck in yours too.

Bowerbirds (Hi-Dive, 10 pm): This group is making the trek all the way from North Carolina to croon us Colorado folk, don’t miss it.