60 watt kid

Photo by Nate Miller

I was at 60 Watt Kid’s record release show at the Echo a couple nights ago, with Tearist, Gowns, and Best Coast too. Regrettably, my friends camera broke so I only have this photo from a show at UCI last year. You can get the album from here.

Gowns’ set was simply breathtaking, albeit short. They only played 3 songs. It began with Ezra on the violin, manipulating his live playing with the multitude of pedals in front of him. That droning served as a perfect canvas for Erika’s singing and guitar playing. The song morphed into a sonic masterpiece, one that involved Erika smashing her guitar around a bit at the end. She apologized to it after while tuning. The set ended with a hip hop song. Ezra played music on a keyboard and Erika rapped with the best.
Best Coast went on next, and despite a few issues with the sound at first (the vocals weren’t coming through) played a great set. They played the usual favorites off their 7″ along with a few new songs I hadn’t heard. Bethany pointed out that she and her guitarist, Bobb, had matching guitars. It was planned.
60 Watt Kid came on last, and played some incredible songs. Now with a drummer, their band sounded much more full than I’ve heard it before, and the rhythm added a great new element to their songs. However, it in no way diminished the wonderful interplay between the two original members, Kevin and Derek. They each played and looped parts on guitars and keys, creating sounds I didn’t think possible from just two people. Kevin’s stage antics, once he departed from his instruments and thrashed around the stage with just a microphone, were definitely memorable as well.
If you want to catch 60 Watt Kid for yourself, they’ll be playing the December 12th FMLY show at the Courtyard with Tempo No Tempo and Grooms. Get excited.

60 Watt Kid – We Come From the Bright Side
Best Coast – Angsty
Gowns – Rope