#myonics

Myopically has been around forever, so you had a very good run! It's not like anyone will abandon their passion for music, so maybe the breakup was amicable. :)

The Violet Hour's EP release show at Bottom of the Hill last night was truly a show for the fans. Frontman Le Duc Violet sang his voice away, literally. As the set went on, his speaking voice in between songs became more and more of a whisper - but he still managed to belt out the catchy melodies of his tunes. After stating the cost of the new EP, Le Duc added that if you didn't have the money, you we're still going to get one. And after an energetic set closer of “Whatever It Takes,” complete with a wall-of-sound feedback ending, Le Duc and co. even came back for an encore!

 Although I got there late, I was able to catch the second half of The Myonics set, and it was delightfully chaotic as ever. Seeing them in a venue with a good sound system definitely helped, as the feedback from the electric autoharp wasn't completely overwhelming. Singer Jasper shook hands with a zombie and sang behind a tombstone (as the stage was decked out for Halloween) and the trumpet-assisted melodic hook on “I'm Not Ready” was catchy as ever.

 However Violet Hour was who most came to see, fans beckoned others to the front of the stage and there were audible cheers of excitement during the opening chords of the first song “As Surreal.” And although it wasn't a perfect set - bassist Adam Szyndrowski fumbled between bass and keyboard on one song and Le Duc's voice did lose some of its power by the end of the set - it was still a stunning and excellent show. Jasper of The Myonics and The Symbolic Jews appeared kneeling on the edge of the stage supplying back-up vocals for a couple songs from The Violet Hour's older work: The Castro Arms EP. And the band even played a super-catchy brand new song, which has yet to be recorded. The whole set was lively and energetic; Greg danced and kicked and shook about, Adam dancing and rocked and jumped around, and drummer Ryan Hendry kept the beats coming on an amazing sound (and sparkly looking) kit.   Overall, it was a great show and a great time. For those of you in the South Bay, Violet Hour is playing again this saturday, 10/22 at The X Bar in Cupertino. Check out the details here. And listen to the Violet Hour’s latest EP, Cowardly Loins (and I highly recommend you do) here.

Jasper Leach and Brian Davy took the producer/engineer seats at Temple Randolph for a record by PAMELA, a new San Francisco outfit featuring Ashley Thomas and Courtney Gray, formerly of the Splinters. Entitled "Pamela is Hungover," a cassette release is due this Friday, August 19 on Whoa-Whoa Records. You can pre-order here. A slightly remixed 7" is also due later this year on Southpaw.

The Symbolick Jews' "Slave to Love" vinyls are in, and to be released this Saturday, August 20 with a release party at San Francisco's Brainwash Cafe. Orders can be made directly to Adam Healton at consumedbywolves AT gmail DOT com.

The Myonics are near completion of "Pagans" after a predictable delay in the final mix stage. Mastering should begin within the month; release details TBA.