Flobots

On Thursday, I took Joey for a ride and we headed up to Santa Monica for a bit of an adventure. Hip-hop Denver locals,the Flobots, were playing in LA as a part of their Flobots Rising Tour (which included stops in Omaha, LA, Oakland, and Salt Lake). I had been trying for weeks to get San Diego friends to abandon their typical Thursday night rituals and head up with me to get their faces rocked. ALas, true to form, people bailed for various reasons. Oh well, their loss...

Back in January, I had my first Flobots experience at the Gothic in Englewood. This collective (guitar, lyricists, bass, trumpet, viola, and drums) performed one of the best live sets I've ever seen. Yes. One of the best live sets I have ever seen. Since then, their EP--Platypus--has not left my car, and I now proudly endorse them to whomever I think will listen. Politically infused and strikingly intelligent, Flobots lyrics have a way of getting under your skin...in a good way. The music is airtight, and who wouldn't love some slap bass, a string picking viola, and crisp trumpeting? I remember thinking that all I could do was picture them in front of a crowd in a tent at Coachella as the sun is setting.

After dinner and wandering around SM for a while, I parked Joey around the block and met up with former WTD member and fellow D-towner Andy at Temple Bar for a pre-show catch up. Soon, Andy and crew had to head into the venue to get ready for their set. It wasn't long before the WTDers filtered in. First I found my SXSW/subway ID companion, B-reh, then my favorite pop fan, Joy. Then "so indie it hurts" Matt and my favorite Canadian, Meredith joined the party. The showtime group was completed when Jennifer Keppel and Ron W. Roecker himself joined us on the dance floor for the set.

Despite minor technical difficulties, the band opened with some a Capella rhymes courtesy of Jonny 5. For the next intro, he was joined by drummer Kenny Ortiz, bassist Jesse Walker, violist Mackenzie, Brer Rabbit, and finally Andy on guitar (with a functioning quarter inch cable!). The enthusiastic crowd at first consisted mainly of friends of the band and friends of friends of the band, but it wasn't long before the bar hoppers wanted in on the party.

The band played a score of new songs from a new release that will hopefully be out sooner rather than later and will be heard by all the right people to catapult them to a deal. But hey, when all else fails, just Clap-Your-Hands-it right? New songs include politically conscious, anthemic "Stand Up," creative Turtles cover, "Happy Together," and lyrical masterpiece, "DARE," They also played staples including "No W" and perennial closer "Handlebars." By the end of the set, even the skeptical were rocking to the infectious beats. I can legitimately claim that they are the best unsigned band I have heard in recent memory. The best.

Following the set, WTD danced the set change away, then got a round of sweaty hugs from our second most excitable member. Who ever could be the most excitable person be? We were joined by Katie, and shared some rounds followed by a late night (early morning?) meal at Swingers down the street. Despite protests from my companions, I drove home and made it in time to get six hours of sleep in the green machine before heading off to class.

So do yourself a huge favor and check out one of their live shows when they are in your area. If you are in Denver, you can readily find a show at your favorite local venues. If not, find them at flobots.com or on the Space

Check out Ron's Review here