By Darshun
August 12th 2014, The Satellite, Los Angeles CA: Based out of Kansas City MO, experimental space rock trio The Life and Times (ex-Shiner) released their new album “Lost Bees” last week on Slimstyle Records, their fourth LP amongst a handful of EPs. Their headlining tour began in Kansas City, MO on August 7th. Last Tuesday August 12th, they played the Satellite with locals Sego and Sidewave.
Sidewave brought their sonic melodies first for the evening on time and was welcomed by new fans. Sidewave is for fans of Hum, Failure, and Shiner. The sound was a bit dodgy in the beginning but rounded out well as they cruised through their set of 9 songs. Phil Golyshko and company brought their layers of space rock and their love for Air’s “Playground Love,” which was recently released with another song called “Out Of Phase” on a split EP with Kansas City’s very own Anakin. Phil’s shimmery shoegaze vocals were accompanied by William Collin’s harmonic accents on guitar while Matt Alan Russell and Brandon Dickert were locked in on the rhythm foundation. Sidewave’s set with its space rock was a great way to open the night for The Life and Times.
Sidewave links: website | facebook | twitter | instagram
Next up was local duo Sego. They reminded me of Beck’s earlier achievements but clearly on the wrong bill. Uninteresting and boring music that lacks creativity of any scale and is music without integrity. Sego is trying to jump on the hipster music bandwagon. One of the worst bands I’ve ever seen in a long time. I’d rather see Har Mar Superstar than them.
Finally, what the night was all about – The Life and Times played their entire new record from start to finish. There were some technical difficulties with a sampler pedal that had a backing track that the whole band relied on after the second song. After that, the rest of the set went smoothly through the next 8 songs on “Lost Bees”. The standout tunes for me were “Ice Cream Eyes” and “Passion Pit” since Eric Aberts’ bass lines shone as well as the drumming chops of Chris Metcalf. Allen Epley sang and soared through the new tunes with a kind of grace if Jeff Buckley had sang for a hard rock indie band. One can say Allen is a grittier version of Buckley. After “Lost Bees”, The Life and Times played several songs from “Tragic Boogie”, “No One Loves You Like I Do”, and “The Magician” EP.
The Life And Times links: website | facebook | twitter | bandcamp
The Life And Times ‘Lost Bees’ remaining US tour dates:
08/16 Portland OR @ Bunk Bar (w/ Last Giant)
08/17 Seattle WA @ Barboza (w/ Last Giant)
08/20 Minneapolos MN @ 7th Street Entry (w/ Porcupine)
08/22 Gray’s Lake IL @ Gray’s Lake Oasis (w/ Darrow, Weye And Lybria)
* All September shows with Deleted Scenes *
09/11 Grand Rapids MI @ Pyramid Scheme
09/12 Akron OH @ Musica
09/13 Brooklyn, NY @ Knitting Factory
09/14 Washington DC @ Rock and Roll Hotel
09/16 Cambridge MA @ Middle East Upstairs
09/17 Philadelphia PA @ the Barbary
09/18 Columbus OH @ Rumba Cafe
09/19 Ferndale MI @ The Loving Touch
09/20 Chicago IL @ Beat Kitchen
The Satellite links: website | facebook | twitter | instagram