DANCIN' IN THE STREETS: ALLAH-LAS, CALIFORNIA LIONS AND GREATER CALIFORNIA ROCK THE STREETS OF LONG BEACH - 6/28/2014

Long Beach's Summer and Music concert series got off to a sensational start tonight with the Third Annual Dancin' in the Streets event. The free SAM kick off show moved to a new larger location on the Downtown Promenade just a few steps from the building that once housed the legendary Blue Cafe. An estimated crowd of over a thousand people packed the area to see Greater California, California Lions and the LA psychedelic rockers Allah-Las. DJ Lithuanian Prince provided the soundtrack for the dance party that took place throughout the evening and continued after the bands finished their sets.

GREATER CALIFORNIA
Greater California kicked off the live performances with an impressive set that seamlessly mixed together both folk and psychedelic rock. The Long Beach band was celebrating the release of their new 7" single "Long Shadows" which is being released by local record label Porch Party Records. They chose to close their set with the new single and were joined on stage by an all star roster of local musicians including members of Bobby Blunders, The Humpers, Wild Pack of Canaries as well as three members of California Lions. It was a great start to an awesome evening of music.

Terry Prine of Greater California

CALIFORNIA LIONS
The Long Beach band took the stage and played a lively set of folk meets California dream pop. The inclusion of a horn section tonight added a soulful, high energy dance feel to several of their songs and kept the crowd dancing throughout their hour long set. The band mixed the set list with songs from their fantastic 2013 debut EP as well as songs from their soon to be released new record. Carina Downing and Daniel Perkins share lead vocal duties and they both have a quality to their voice which makes their music the perfect summer soundtrack. 

We have been big fans of California Lions since we caught them at last year's Folk Revival Festival back in November. Click here to see our complete recap with video:  
http://liverockgig.blogspot.com/2013/11/long-beach-folk-revival-festival-great.html

CARINA DOWNING OF CALIFORNIA LIONS

ALLAH-LAS
We have to admit that we were already huge fans of the Allah-Las. Once the announcement was made that they were playing this event we were counting down the days like a kid counts down to Christmas. The band is signed to Innovative Leisure Records which is also home to local retro rocker Nick Waterhouse and the Long Beach surf trio, Tijuana Panthers.

Allah-Las' sound is a mix of garage, surf and psychedelic all rolled into one. You can hear a little bit of early Stones, Beach Boys and Love in their mesmerizing, hypnotic music. Lead Singer/Guitarist Miles Michaud has always reminded us of a young, Animals-era Eric Burdon. His vocal style comes across as effortless and laid back but he can reach back with intensity just in the right spots. Lead guitarist Pedrum Siadatian, bassist Spencer Dunham and drummer Matthew Correia provide the exceptional Byrds-style harmonies which give their music a cool ethereal quality. Tonight's Long Beach show was the last stop on the band's US tour that started June 11th and featured a spot at the legendary Bonnaroo festival in Tennessee.

THE ALLAH-LAS

The band's excellent self-titled debut album was released back in September 2012. Tonight's set list was a nice mix of songs from the debut album as well as six songs from their new album Worship the Sun which is being released on September 16th. Drummer Matthew Correia took the lead vocal duties on a few songs toward the end of the band's set. Below is a video of Matt singing vocals on "De Vida Voz" which is the first track on their soon to be released new record.

We have to give credit to the organizers and sponsors of all of these great SAM events. They have given the residents of Long Beach great shows featuring amazing bands at no charge. After talking to some of the people in the crowd it was apparent that these shows are starting to become more of a regional draw by pulling in people from LA and OC. This bodes well for establishing Long Beach as a destination for music fans and in turn, driving the local economy. Don't miss Summer and Music's next event, Twisted at the Pike, which takes place July 11 featuring Fartbarf, De Lux, Free Moral Agents and Wild Park of Canaries.

ALLAH-LAS SET LIST

Allah-Las - Allah-Las (Self Titled) - Album Review

Mesmerizing is the first word that comes to mind after listening to this fantastic new album by the Allah-Las. We did a review of their Fingerprints Records in-store performance back in April and have been waiting patiently for the release of their first full length record ever since. The band's self titled album out now on Innovative Leisure Records is well worth the wait and is without a doubt one of the best records of the year.

If you've never heard one of their songs or seen them play live, their psychedelic sound has a direct connection to some of the great garage bands of the 1960's. Early Stones, The Byrds and Love are just a few of the many influences that you can hear in their music. Make no mistake though, the band has managed to weave all of these sounds into something that that is fresh, new and all their own.

As we mentioned in our Fingerprints review, lead singer Miles Michaud possesses a quality and tone to his voice that reminds us of a young Eric Burden. His vocals combined with guitarist Pedrum Siadatian's surf inspired riffs and powerful back beat provided by bassist Spencer Dunham and drummer Matt Correia all add up to a captivating laid-back retro California sound.

Click below to see the video for the song "Busman's Holiday" which is the third track on the new album. This song is an excellent representation of the band's style. They use Beach Boys-like harmonies and excellent musicianship to transport you back to another place and another time.

The new album also includes "Tell Me (What's On Your Mind)" and "Sacred Sands" which are an A and B side of a vinyl single that the band released  back in April. The song "Sacred Sands" is a surf rock instrumental that is somewhat reminiscent of the 60's band The Ventures.

Drummer Matt Correia takes over the lead vocal duties on a cover of the Roots song "Long Journey" which is the final track on the album. The song has a haunting dark undertone like something that came right out sleazy B movie.

The band will be going out on tour in September and October playing most of the dates with Nick Waterhouse. If you are lucky enough to have them come to your town DO NOT miss it!

9/26 - Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge
9/27 - Lawrence, KS @ Jackpot Music Hall*
9/28 - St. Louis, MO @ Plush
9/29 - Indianapolis, IN @ White Rabbit Cabaret
9/30 - Nashville, TN @ The High Watt
10/2 - Washington, DC @ The Rock and Roll Hotel
10/3 - Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s
10/4 - Allston, MA @ Great Scott
10/5 - Brooklyn, NY @ The Union Pool*
10/6 - New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
10/8 - Toronto, ONT @ The Great Hall
10/10 - Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall
10/11 - Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line Music Cafe
10/14 - Seattle, WA @ Neumo’s
10/15 - Bellingham, WA @ Wild Buffalo
10/16 - Vancouver, BC @ The Biltmore
10/17 - Portland, OR @ Star Theatre
10/20 - San Francisco, CA @ Bimbo’s
10/21 - Los Angeles, CA El Rey

All dates with Nick Waterhouse except *

Allah-Las Concert Review-Fingerprints Record Store-Long Beach, CA 4/18/12

Randy Leasure once said about the band The Posies, "They wear their influences on their sleeve, but what a great shirt." The same can be said about the Allah-Las. Their psychedelic sound has a direct lineage to some of the great garage bands of the 60's. The obvious comparison would be the early Stones but listen closely and you'll also hear a little of The Beach Boys, Love and for those that like to dig a little deeper, The 13th Floor Elevators.

The band was playing at Fingerprints Record Store tonight to celebrate the Innovative Leisure Records' release of their new 7" single "Tell Me (What's On Your Mind)" with the flip side "Sacred Sands." The A side being a an excellent representation of the band's atmospheric sound and the B-side being an instrumental reminiscent of many of the great California surf bands of the past. Click below to view their recently released video for the new single to get a taste of what this band is all about.

I got the sense from the sizable crowd that was assembled at Fingerprints tonight that this band already has a large local following. The store was packed with several hundred eager fans. I had heard (and loved) a few of the band's songs before the show, but the real test is if a band can deliver the goods live. Once they stepped on stage any doubt that I had was put to rest. To be frank, I was completely mesmerized by the Allah-Las. Individually they are all excellent musicians but collectively the music that they produce is otherworldly. You can not help but be drawn in by the hypnotic sound of this band.

Drummer Matt Correia, Singer Miles Michaud, Bassist Spencer Dunham-Allah-Las at Fingerprints Records

Lead singer Miles Michaud has a vocal style that reminds me of a young Eric Burdon when he was a member of The Animals. It's laid back but intense in just the right spots. He has an undeniable charisma that hooked the crowd throughout the show. Lead guitarist Pedrum Siadatian's Byrd's inspired jangly riffs complemented Michaud's vocals perfectly. The back beat provided by bassist Spencer Dunham and drummer Matt Correia completed the retro-cool sound.

Gutarist Pedrum Siadatian and drummer Matt Correia - Allah-Las at Fingerprints Records

The band played a 13 song, hour long set which included the infectious new single "Tell Me (What's on Your Mind)" as well as the B-side instrumental  "Sacred Sands." They also played their 2011 single "Catamaran" and the B-side "Long Journey," a Roots cover with drummer Matt Correia taking over the vocals while lead singer Miles took over the drumming duties. Another cover the band performed was an obscure Ariel Pink song called "I Don't Need Enemies" which fit perfectly into their set.

View from backstage

 After watching the show tonight my faith in the power of music was renewed. I had just seen something magical that I would remember for a long time. I have seen a lot of great bands over the years but the Allah-Las are by far one of the best. If you have a chance to see one of their shows or buy one of their records don't hesitate. Trust me you won't regret it.

After the show the band stuck around to sign some autographs and take some pictures. Here's a picture of me meeting my favorite new band.

Me (Jody) with singer Miles Michaud