Hell On Heels Tour, Part Three: Semi Precious Weapons

Semi Precious Weapons: January 31 @ Highline Ballroom, New York, NY

The third and final act on the bill for the Hell On Heels Tour was New York's own Semi Precious Weapons. They of course were the reason I was there. It was a very loud and enthusiastic hometown crowd that greeted the band when they hit the stage. My ears are still recovering from the random, spontaneous, high-pitched screams emanating from the audience.

I don't think you can fully get the gist of Semi Precious Weapons until you're standing there in the mist of a crowd of screaming, energetic fans getting swept up in the excitement. From the moment they hit the stage, it felt like a party, not a concert. What a party it was too. The band, Justin Tranter (vocals), Stevy Pyne (guitar), Cole Whittle (bass) and Dan Crean (drums) were the perfect hosts.

They launched into a short and to the point set with "Semi Precious Weapons" setting off a night of audience sing-a-long. The band was raw, sometimes sloppy, vigorous and thoroughly delightful. Tranter (who wears heels and tights better than I ever could) vamped around the stage larger than life feeding off the audience, soaking up the energy and returning it tenfold. You couldn't help but have fun. I'd wager a random person plucked off the street unfamiliar with them could have walked in and had just as much fun as those of us who were there intentionally for the experience. My favorite song is "Magnetic Baby" so of course that was the highlight for me.

While I'm happy to see the band in a venue such as the Highline Ballroom, it just didn't feel sleazy enough for me. My only real complaint was that the set was too short! I would have liked a bit more than the thirty minute, seven song set we got.

Semi Precious Weapons are entertainers. They're fun and give a good party. Like with any good party, you walk away with a smile on your face, singing their songs as you walk down the street to the train station ... and that's just what I did.

Set List

• Semi Precious Weapons
• Her Hair Is On Fire
• Put A Diamond In It And Bite Down
• That's Kunt
• ?
• Magnetic Baby
• Rock 'N' Roll Never Looked So Beautiful

Another one of my "artistic" moments ...
Semi Precious Weapons - Magnetic Baby (live)


http://www.myspace.com/semipreciousweapons
http://www.semipreciousweapons.com

All Photos: © L. R. Adams

Hell On Heels Tour, Part Two: Nico Vega

Nico Vega: January 31 @ Highline Ballroom, New York, NY

The second act on the bill for The Hell On Heels Tour was California band Nico Vega. Walking in, I was clueless to who or what a Nico Vega was and what it would sound like. Yeah, I know, I need to get out more or at the very least stop being lazy and check music out online prior to attending a show. I'm actually glad I didn't do any pre-show research. It would have taken away from the pleasantly odd magical euphoric feeling I got the minute they started playing.

A part of me felt as if I'd been transported back in time and into the future all in one show, sometimes all in one song. Guitarist Rich Koehler at times sounded and looked like he was channeling Jimi Hendrix with a bit of Black Sabbath tossed in for good measure. There were a few make your brain ooze from your ears guitar moments when he went all fuzzy feedback'ish and slightly trippy. He and drummer Dan Epand provided a colossal amount of sound for two instruments.

Vocalist Aja Volkman was a bundle of intense energy who at times seemed to be a cross between Janis Joplin and Grace Slick with a pinch of Linda Perry and Johnette Napolitano tossed in. Her oft times primal vocals and raw energy had me envisioning her singing on top of some large natural rock formation in the desert, in the black of night, with just a camp fire as her stage lighting. Anyone else have that vision? No?

The highlights of their set for me were the catchy "Gravity," sing-a-long crowd pleaser "Fe Fi Fo Fum," "Wooden Dolls" and my two favorites of the night "Blood Machine" and "Beast." I am clueless no longer when it comes to Nico Vega. I enjoyed their set. I was left somewhat dazed and definitely smiling.

Set List

• Protest
• Million Years
• Blood Machine
• Living Underground
• Fe Fi Fo Fum
• Gravity
• Wooden Dolls
• Burn Burn
• Jesus Baby
• Beast

Today also happens to be the day Nico Vega releases their new self-titled record to the masses. I picked up a copy of it on Saturday after the show. The same songs that caught my ear live still have my ear. I'm having a bit of a Nico Vega love fest over here enjoying their recorded effort.

Track Listing

• Burn Burn
• Million Years
• So So Fresh
• Living Underground
• Wooden Dolls
• Gravity
• Be Giving
• Iron Man
• Family Train
• Blood Machine
• Medicine Man
• Rabbit In The Bag
• Coal Miner's Song
• Beast

And if that's not enough Nico Vega for a music loving soul, they're back in New York on February 16 at Mercury Lounge with the Von Bondies.

http://www.myspace.com/nicovega

All Photos: © L. R. Adams

Hell On Heels Tour, Part One: Von Iva

Von Iva: January 31 @ Highline Ballroom, New York, NY

I went to the Highline Ballroom to catch the Hell On Heels Tour this past Saturday. For those who haven't been there, it's a nice space. They have a full dinner menu should you opt for and get there early enough to get one of the tables. I however chose to, of course, stand right up front ... where else would I be?

The first act of the night was San Francisco's Von Iva. I'd listened to a bit of their music before and thought they were all right but were a little too electronic, I suppose is the word I'm looking for, for my general tastes. Well, it turns out, I was very pleasantly surprised by their live show. I'm going to be honest. I went in thinking that while they might not be my cup of tea, I'd have a pleasant enough time listening to them. I just thought I would likely be keeping an eye on my watch wondering when their set was going to end. That didn't happen. I found myself enjoying them very much.

They put on an energetic show that kept you dancing and entertained. Jillian Iva (vocals) was full of fierce attitude, making the stage and the audience her bitch. She really was hell on heels. That folks, is a compliment! Becky Kupersmith (keyboards) and Kelly Harris (drums) provided a funky, rockin', beat filled foundation for Iva to do her thing. Von Iva covered all of the bases, blending flawlessly rock, pop, soul, punk, disco and electro music into a fun filled mix of ear candy.

There were two standouts of the set for me. The first was "Do It!" which you couldn't help but dance and clap along to. And the highlight of the night was "No Man" where Iva definitely showed off her vocal chops. She tossed out all kinds of gritty soul with that one.

It was a good set. These ladies came to bring it and bring it they did. Von Iva got New York pumpin' and set the bar pretty high for their fellow tour mates to follow.

Set List

• Birds Of Prey
• Living For It
• Do It!
• Not Hot To Trot
• Emerald Eyes
• No Resistance
• LALA
• No Man

The video ... random loss of focus is the new black ... or something!
Von Iva - Do It! (live)


http://www.voniva.com
http://www.myspace.com/voniva

All Photos: © L. R. Adams

Hell On Heels

I've made my plans for next Saturday! I'm off to catch Von Iva, Nico Vega and the reason I'm going to the show, one of my faves, the ever so delicious Semi Precious Weapons. This is all taking place down at the Highline Ballroom.

I might just be giddy ...


http://www.myspace.com/semipreciousweapons
http://www.myspace.com/voniva
http://www.myspace.com/nicovega
http://www.highlineballroom.com