www.thelovemakers.com
www.myspace.com/thelovemakers

A few months ago, I interviewed for a position at Fuzz, the label releasing The Lovemaker’s latest EP, Misery Loves Company. The interviewer asked if I heard of the electro-pop band. I mentioned I sampled the EP at a Virgin Megastore a few days prior. He quickly asked if I bought it (doesn’t he know no one actually buys things from Virgin?!), and I carefully admitted I made no plans on purchasing CDs that day, but, if I had, I most certainly would have.

To be perfectly honest, I didn’t much care for the EP back then.

I’m not sure as to the reason behind my indifference (I suspect a case of billowing bladder – open your damn bathroom, Virgin!) or what changed since, but I now find Misery Loves Company an incredibly inspired work of sonic art. The EP begins with the title track, pop proliferated with playfully bouncy digital debris. Strong beats and catchy choruses make it prime for unabashed dancing.
The following tracks flow equally strong with satisfying whimsical appeal, finally peaking at the soulfully lush, “Naturally Lonely,” one of the most beautiful ballads ever enjoyed by my ears. It’s epic and flowing, the purest type of bliss. It’s true love in audio form, hiking the heart and welling the eyes.

It’s Christmas.

Fucking Christmas.

And now I know why the pair calls themselves such, for I feel real love made within.

I often see photos of Scott Blonde and Lisa Light locking lips on stage, and quickly realize we need an attractive female in Festizio…

www.themayfire.com
www.myspace.com/themayfire

I’m still unsure whether Rock Whores Recordings is an actual studio or the drummer’s basement. Either way, La Victoria is an impressive feat. The six-song EP opens with “You Make It Right,” a catchy track reminiscent of the Ramones with a hint of Hole and some J-Pop ear candy. The rest of the EP follows in a similar vein with bouncy, melodic vocals and upbeat, almost campy, backup. “Marcha,” a song sung entirely in Spanish, features a chorus that explodes with, what is best described as, an audio depiction of a slow motion daffodil field frolic. The final track, “Dirty Bridge,” pops with dance-punk fervor, a catchy conclusion that urges one to get up and dance horribly (I’m a horrible dancer).

La Victoria isn’t lyrically complex, but I suppose it’s apropos given The May Fire’s stripped-down sound. Ultimately, the major shortcoming of La Victoria is in its strong marketability as an EP: It leaves you wanting more.

We didn’t design that flier… nor do we endorse “lazers” of any kind…

www.festizio.net
www.myspace.com/festizioband

(Today is the first day of the rest of my life.)

Several months ago, I made the hard decision of leaving my stable, well-paying finance job for the opportunity of developing something better. I traveled and dabbled in saving, but, more importantly, I grew as a person. As months progressed, my bank account dwindled, and I felt surprisingly naked uninsured. (An unaccountable shade proves somewhat unnerving.)

A few moments before we left for load-in at Broadway Studios, I received a call from an exceptional company and was offered a dream position. The fear of stagnated funds dissipated, and life suddenly shined brilliant bright light upon the evening (read: I left my card open at the bar for the first time in three months).

And so it was of no consequence that last night’s events pushed well into the AMs of today, as a new day was appropriate for my circumstance. Broadway Studios served as venue for a sort of rebirth in my life. We played a strong, solid show (indication of how much we had grown in the past year), and left feeling infinitely empowered.

The spacious interior has a sort of positive energy that other venues lack. It’s warm and inviting, yet still mysteriously subtle without being sinister, even whilst draped in intricate displays of Halloween decor. Aside from standard tables and chairs, the main floor offers several cozy, stage-front booths. Drink prices are typical for North Beach (they also offer a food menu). Two stairways lead upstairs, where one finds additional seating and the band dressing room (complete with refrigeration and shower). Best of all, there is secured parking right next to the place.

But most impressively, Broadway boasts a professional team of players. Patrick, the director, was absolutely friendly from the very first moment we met until well past closing. Tim, the sound technician, took our requests with great consideration, and performed remarkably well given a faulty house sub. I told Ben, the emcee (I don’t know why they have an emcee, though he’s a cool dude), to completely fabricate our story for the introduction, rather than give boring, true-to-life descriptors – apparently, we now have a Disney Channel special pending… But let us not forget what perfects a great club: hot waitresses (and that merit goes to Ashley and Jess – ps, call me).

And so everything turns full circle, and the great hope I embraced for so long proved worthy of correctness. I felt it on stage as I feel it in life: a sense of confidence, maturity and balance.

Today may very well be the best day of my life. Finally, I feel like a rock star, and it has nothing to do with a band…