[ATTENDED: September 23, 2017] Sunflower Bean
As with most new bands, I first heard about Sunflower Bean on All Songs Considered. I loved the psychedelic yet punky sound of the song “2013.” And the entirely of their full length album Human Ceremony is really good–catchy songs with a great vibe.
I was really excited to hear that they were opening for the Pixies show–although I didn’t exactly see how their music would jibe with Pixies songs.
Well, I needn’t have worried. Sunflower Bean rocks a lot harder live than on the record. And their set included a number of new, heavier songs that complemented the night well.
Confusingly, this show stated that the Gates opened at 5:30, but they would not say anywhere what time Sunflower Bean went on. I was sure they wouldn’t start at 5:30. I assumed they’d start at 6:30, and yet that was still really early for a Saturday night show to end. Because the day was really busy (Tabby had a piano recital earlier!), I managed to get to Asbury Park at 6:40 and drove around a bit to find a free parking spot.
The timing was perfect because Sunflower Bean went on at 7 and that gave me time to buy an outrageously over priced pretzel ($6) which tasted terrible.
But getting there so early allowed me to creep up really close to the stage. I’m not even sure how well this show sold. I never felt pushed or cramped by other people. And I was right in the center with only one really tall guy off to my left.
Sunflower Bean are a trio. Julia Cumming on bass and lead vocals was to my right. Nick Kivlen on guitar and vocals was on the left but he bounced around a lot. And Jacob Faber was on the drums right in front of me. (In promo photos he has really long hair, but I guess he cut it all off, which was a surprise).
They started with a heavy song that I didn’t know. Julia’s voice had cool rough edge to it, especially as she wailed the last note of that first song. The next song was also new, I think it was called “Burn It.”
It was fun to see her in a long dress dancing, pogoing and, during the really fast rocking instrumental, possibly called “Sinking” headbanging like crazy.
Another song I didn’t recognize was a song called “22” (maybe) with the great ringing guitars that Nick does so well. It was cool watching him occasionally play a wild solo–his guitar is usually fairly reserved, but he wailed when called for.
I particularly liked that Julia played lots of interesting bass part–never just following the guitar melody but getting in her own little riffs and fills.
As the set came to a close, they played two songs from their album. I was so excited to hear “Easier Said That Done” and to know that she could sing just as beautifully as on the record (and that the guitars would translate so perfectly live).
And they ended the set with “I Was Home” another favorite of mine for the wonderfully banal lyrics that are so catchy: What did you do today / I stayed at home today / I was home and then I wasn’t.
And that was it.
I saw them at the end of the show and chatted for a few minutes. I said I was bummed they didn’t get to play “2013” (and that they didn’t have any copies of their new all covers EP). But they were super friendly. And they said they were only given 30 minutes to play (way too short!). I’d definitely like to see them again–headlining a small club.
Setlist, I think:
new song
Burn It
22
Sinking
Easier Said Than Done
I Was Home
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