Bad Copy

Monday shows are always difficult. If you are the booker, you have to find locals that don’t work the next day or don’t mind losing sleep who will help drag everyone to the show by the ear. Sometimes you are that band that has to get up at 4AM for work the next day and you say ‘yes’ because the band on tour is just so amazing. Then there’s the touring band, who has probably had to deal with a wealth of crap the day before just to get to the venue on Monday to fill on your tour route. We all show up tired. And if there aren’t any friends in attendance, Monday shows can be absolutely horrible. But, this Monday was awesome and the lineup was killer.

Local rockers The Rinds were so good, they made the audience feel like they showed up late, missed the opening band, and were mid-lineup. The members are so in sync with each other as a band, it’s almost as if you’re listening to a recording. Their “Ramones-core” power pop is chock full of melodies you wont forget. Yes, you will find yourself humming their song “I Don’t Wanna be a Zero” long after their set.

Danger Inc. is a band full of pop-punk veterans from So Cal who recently moved to Sacramento. Location was the only difference since the last time I saw them play. They brought their Anaheim awesomeness with them. Nerdy punk rockers, look out for this band. They opened with a song about Harry Potter, but also nailed a ferocious Bikini Kill cover.

The Plurals (from Lansing, MI), who  were in the middle of a long US tour, offered up a set full of energy and their songs were uniquely catchy. Most notably, their drummer takes on lead vocals for a number of songs, which an amazing thing you don’t see too much of in bands. And Nich, their bassist can also be seen jumping all over the stage when he plays in City Mouse.

Now we come to the headliners, The Love Songs. There’s not a lot about this band I can say that has not already been said. Tonight was another incredibly tight, technical, wild performance. Lead singer Craigums always puts on a show by messing with his band mates; all in good fun, of course. The band has really moved forward since I first started seeing them play in 2001. But they also have retained their goofiness and most definitely their wits and chops. This band can shred.

Each one of these bands was and is amazing. They are all so sharp, well practiced, entertaining and full of wonderful talented people. I guess I might be biased because these bands are my friends, but that’s what this is about. This is why we all do this, even on a yucky icky Monday. Getting hugs, playing music, seeing friends from far away, and just having a good time. Most Mondays suck, but this one Monday evening didn’t.

Check out the below gallery of pictures I took at the show!