By Amber Shaffer, SDAM Staff Writer
©Copyright 2008 SDAM.com/Amber Shaffer

On my second visit to The Casbah, I couldn't help but still feel a little disappointment. The venue is cool with it's cavey atmosphere, back bar area, and enclosed patio between the mainstage area and the back bar. But the crowd needs to get over itself. I had always looked forward to going to The Casbah because I knew it catered to the more hipster, underground, indie scene in San Diego. But these kids are so bored with their own coolness it's ridiculous. However, my friend tells me after a few more visits this won't bother me so much. And I have to admit, I'd still rather hang out here any night of the week than Martini Ranch. Tonight was the CD release party for lowcloudcover's new EP "One Little Shot in the Eye". lowcloudcover are a 3-piece whose music brings to mind bands like My Bloody Valentine or The Jesus and Mary Chain. See also: bands that spend a lot of time in my CD player. I couldn't really distinguish any lyrics, but this is the type of band I listen to for their blurry, sonic-gumbo anyway. You know, the kind of bands that can really fill a room with sound. And not just because their amps are on 10. Although the live performance was fine, lowcloudcover's music is the sort I prefer to listen to at home with lit candles and a cute, moody boy, not a roomful of Heineken drinking strangers. The hard thing about seeing bands like this live, is I'm always left wondering: when do I clap if a song ends in one, long, drawn-out, distorted note? The song's over. But not really. It's such a dilemma! Despite the "clouds" created by their fog machine, I could tell the crowd grew steadily during their set from the sound of the applause. I wish I knew what the second to last song they played was because it was awesome, but I'm sure if you pick up their new EP, it'll be on there. The only advice I have for this band is one of them needs to work on providing filler between songs. It was deathly silent as they adjusted their set-up for each new song. Shhhhhh... Following lowcloudcover were The Black Market Hearts, a dark little punk band. Not surprising with a name like that. With song titles that would be right at home on an A.F.I. album (post-Shut Your Mouth), this quartette had quite a bit of energy. Maybe too much. The singer/guitar player couldn't keep a hold on to his pick to save his life. But at least he was playing with vigor. Except when he had to stop playing to retrieve said pick. But I always say, what's rock n' roll without a little bit of comedic error? And you couldn't help but laugh, when after "Scarecrow", the song most-affected by pick-dropping, while the audience was applauding, the singer laughed and said "Thank you for your sympathy." I caught the second half of their set, and one thing was apparent immediately - the kids are gonna dig this band. Their songs all have the same flavor: fast and punky, set to semi-dark lyrics. Except "I'm Awake" which the band refers to as their "lighter song". It follows the standard punk love-song formula: slow and quiet with an aggressive power-chorus. Like I said, the kids are gonna like 'em. And I have to admit, I did too. Plus the drummer's adorable - he looks like Paul from The Wonder Years. Before Paul hit puberty and became awkward looking. Irradio rounded out the evening. I only caught two songs before jetting out while there was a break in the rain so I wouldn't get soaked on the walk down Kettner to my car. Before I left, I asked my friend how he'd describe Irradio. His response: "angular, discordant post-punk." Besides being hilariously snobby, I have no idea what that meant. So here's my assessment: Irradio is somewhere between classic rock, punk, and blues. I think that's the layman's translation of the point my pal was trying to make. The only other thing I feel compelled to note is that Irradio's singer has a beautiful smile. Learn more about these bands and their upcoming shows: lowcloudcover • The Black Market Hearts • Irradio