SURFER BLOOD

I had an opportunity to spend three days in Washington DC, drawn there by the chance to hear people in my line of business say words that were rarely uttered in the last 30 years for fear of being called a heretic.  So it was very refreshing to hear the guest speakers talk about new alternatives and ideas that finally include a bit of common sense.  I have been vindicated.

I spent one evening walking the National Mall between the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial.  On the way there I ran into former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, the architect of the Afgan and Iraq wars.  No taller than me, in a rumpled overcoat, walking the street.  How ordinary, yet he was the source of so much sorrow.

The Lincoln Memorial was busy even at this late hour.  The Gettysburg address always moves me, one of the very best speeches in all history.  The Vietnam Memorial was also very moving with all the names of the dead, sacrificed on the alter of war.  In the end this loss was for nothing.  It looked like students placed laminated poems at the foot of the black wall.  I wished it were daytime so I could read them all.

The area where the hotel is located was very busy with people on this Tuesday night, walking the street and in restaurants and bars, mostly young professionals.  I have no idea how they manage consider how expensive the cost of living in this city is ($14 for a martini!).

Where does it all go
The here and to be now
Right through his fingers

Glimpse into the past
There lives so ephemeral
Paintings in the sand

First time visitor
Walking through the door at dawn
Coming from the stars

Look into his eyes
Hoping that it will be the same
Handing off the flame

Oh how they've been fooled
We lead the revolution
While following orders

Sign the dotted line
Do if for the honor to
Lie in Arlington

The wind stops blowing
Calm greets the evening sunset
Distant dog barking

The dawns early light
Owls call to one another
Words softly spoken

Vivid midnight dream
Reaching out to my old friend
Just like yesterday

Surfer Blood at the Larimer Lounge, October 16, 2013

Wiki writes:

Surfer Blood is an American alternative rock band from West Palm Beach, Florida, signed to Warner Bros. Records. The band has four members: John Paul Pitts (lead vocals/guitar), Thomas Fekete (guitar/backing vocals), Kevin Williams (bass guitar/backing vocals) and Tyler Schwarz (drums).

Reverb writes:

Surfer Blood took the stage early, kicking off their hour-plus set with a melodic surf-rock tune “Neighbor Riffs,” which was heavy with instrumentals and catchy riffs and completely absent of lyrics.

Guitarist Thomas Fekete validates Surfer Blood’s reputation as a great guitar band, while drummer TJ Schwartz and bassist Tyler Schwarz kept the music tight and under control. Frontman JP Pitts brought more variation to his vocal range than expected, given his comfortable range on record. He kept his vocals crisp and clean until the carefully placed (and welcomed) guttural screams.

On its sophomore album “Pythons,” Surfer Blood collaborated with renowned producer Gil Norton, who constructed the early alternative rock and post-punk albums with the Pixies and Foo Fighters. The Denver show brought out Surfer Blood’s more refined and mature side, showcasing its ability to mix garage rock sensibilities with a whole lot of reverb to achieve a ’90s dream pop and surf rock love child.

The band’s sound is a less polished and brighter take on Interpol’s pulsing bass lines and low-growling lyrics. Some songs felt a little monotonous with the same general progression leading each song, but Surfer Blood did its best to vary tempo and volume to keep the audience’s attention.

Read it all here: http://www.heyreverb.com/blog/2013/10/17/surfer-blood-and-team-spirit-at-larimer-lounge-10-16-13-photos-review/79322/

Download the entire show here:
https://hotfile.com/dl/256292293/d45518e/SB_Larimer_Lounge_Denver_CO_October_16_2013.mp3.html