by: Kristi M. Fixl
Sometimes your evening just doesn't work out as you had envisioned it. I was so looking forward to finally checking out the band Orbit. A few years had passed since they played Daytona. A show I, unfortunately, couldn't attend. The sisters and I did the best we could and listened to their pre-show appearance on the KRO (RIP). We were in awe. Needless to say, we all were definitely NOT going to miss them this time around. Sadly, it was not to be. Dante's enforced a strict 18+ age restriction (trust me, I begged) and the sisters were shut out. Disappointed, I pressed on (solo) and arrived at the restaurant at around 10:30 p.m. The exies, a new name to me, were about to set the stage.
When the musical talent of a band is only surpassed by that of their shining personalities...it's a dreamy combination. The exies (from LA) were such a band. An intimate crowd and faulty sound system would not keep these guys down. From the opening tune, I was hooked. Pure rock!!
With sounds resonating more like the new STP than Korn. You know, the kind I adore! I couldn't wait to get my hands on a CD. An all around wonderful band on and off the stage. Genuinely kind. A friend of mine once told me that musical waves generate on the West Coast. If the exies are the future of rock music, I can't wait!! I could gush for hours! If you'd like to learn more, jump on over to their official site.
Check out the bio and listen to a sound clip. You won't be disappointed...promise. Buy the self titled CD and enjoy. It's all good...especially "Feeling Lo-Fi" and "Ego Tryptophane." PHENOMENAL!!
It was very early Easter Sunday when Orbit took the stage. The once comfortable intimate crowd had dwindled down to 15. And what a lively bunch we were! Dropping IQ points with every waking moment, I was. It was sad. Before the first note was ever played, the band had asked for any requests. In unison, we requested, "Bicycle Song." The band reciprocated by playing, "Electric." Something new for those of us who had been listening to Libido Speedway for the past few years. A very cool song indeed. The show ensued and we were treated to a mixture of old and new tunes alike. I thought the band was wonderful! And to think, this was a slow night. Visit their web site and buy their disk, Tonedeaf, as well. They're just a really great band.
You know, sometimes things don't necessarily work out like you had envisioned...is that such a bad thing?
Friday, July 7, 2000
Irving Plaza
the exies -- opening band for Dogstar
Review by: Wendy
This was the first (and so far only) time we (Jen, Chew, and Wendy) have ever seen the exies live. In fact, we've never heard of them. [There were two other people there with us, but their names are withheld due to legal ramifications.]
To be quite honest, I often always found opening bands to be a bore -- small venues, large amps and speakers, never heard of the band, never heard of the songs, and distortion! (not the good kind either; everything sounds like spewed, chunky, regurgitated...well, you know.) This isn't the environment I'd want to be in when taking in new music...you can hardly hear what the *real* song sounds like.
*and here comes some mucho ass-kissing
The exies played an hour set (more or less). And we heard it all before...opening bands are known for their ENERGY! And yes, it was there. But, not only energy...a major part of the exies set was their music and how incredible each and every song sounded. There was a distinct and different melody in each song; that was what really surprised me the most.
Flashback to the part where I complained about regurgitated distortion -- usually aids in making songs sound relatively alike. Even WITH horrible amplification, the exies still sounded pretty awesome. I can actually remember the melody of the songs that they played live. (Awesome lighting crew, too...really set the mood for some of the songs.)
I bought the cd after the concert, and let me NOT be the first to tell you that the cd rocks ass!
