One Trick Pony / The Transmissions / Death to Anders / The Health Club

Spaceland

Los Angeles, CA

September 13, 2007

Spaceland's deep blue lights offset the moody vibe of the performances this Thursday night. Showcasing three of the five Central Second Collective bands alongside local headliner The Health Club, the night had a friendly, community feel.

One Trick Pony opened the neighborhood lineup with a mix of jazzy sentimental tunes. As Charlene Huang provided tragic sorrows on her violin, Randolph Williams truly carried the set with his hypnotic and complicated guitar rhythms and soaring vocals, reminiscent of Jeff Buckley. Simple drumbeats from Jen Matos kept the momentum moving but gave center stage to the strings and poignant lyrics like, "He has been robbed of his desire / Here comes the blood / Chimneys afire."

The Transmissions, credited for putting the show together, had their own spin on alternative dark anthems. Showcasing a screen made of balloons where they projected aged images of everything from news reels to family movies, the band soundtracked the film with singer Christian Biel's squealing vocals, blending alternative rock with experimental sounds. Guitarist Jeff David Harris stood stoically still until switching to drums. Meanwhile Biel became caught up in the music himself, dancing on his knees as he convulsed to the pulsing electronic rock.

Death to Anders had a more straightforward approach to their indie jams. Jumping off the impressive bass of Pete DiBiasio and John Broeckel's dark drums, Rob Danson and Nick Ceglio created bluesy guitar riffs. The band mixed various genres into their fast-paced rock sound including a strong Elliott Smith influence. This was most notable in the waltzy "Dark Bathrooms" which bore hints of Smith's "Waltz No. 2" whispered throughout. Splitting the vocals between Danson and Ceglio, Death to Anders played almost all new songs about to be recorded, but closed with crowd favorite "Africa." Fans and friends shouted along "dadadadada" with Danson as the band ended its set on a high note.

As the clock passed midnight, The Health Club sounded off with drummer Gabriel Montez's gym whistle and were off and running. Katya Arce danced around the somewhat empty stage strutting her bass with pride as Gerard Fortich took lead guitar and shared simultaneous, pokerfaced lead vocals with Montez. Arce joked with the audience that she was making up bass parts on the spot while Fortich continually requested more reverb, adding that touch of vigor to their juvenile garage band style. As the show was brought to a close and a new day began, The Health Club had both the crowd and even the other bands dancing and begging for more.

-Review by Megan Clinard; photo by Julia Alty