Sunday's Best
Elliott
The Jazz June
@ Sapphire - Orlando, FL.
Tuesday October 10, 2000.
There was a rock and roll show tonight. It was an early show (doors at 5pm!) with Elliott, The Jazz June, Sunday's Best and Paris_TX all on one the bill. What a ticket! I got there past 5:30 and they weren't letting anyone in. The Sapphire Supper Club has been real spotty with door and start times lately. It's a bit annoying. Anyway, Jaret was sitting outside when I arrived. I was expecting him to be holding hands with Juliana Hatfield, who would be sporting an engagement ring. Har har. He went to every one of her FL and GA shows. He says The Blake Babies will be doing a cover of Madder Rose's "Baby Gets High" on their new album. Very cool!
Sunday's Best, from Los Angeles, would be first to play because Paris_TXs van broke down and weren't going to make the show. I have been really excited to see them because I had been listening to their new album 'Poised To Break' constantly for the past month. I knew all the words. I made my request for "White, Picket Fences" beforehand because I had to hear that one. I sing it in the car. Their set was awesome. They opened with the dreamy "Bruise-blue" and tore through "Indian Summer", "In Beats Like Trains" and "Saccharine". "Winter-Owned" was awesome! The drummer was doing the backup singing. It was quite a sight with him yelling and drumming at the same time. When it came for my request they pointed me out "This songs is for our new friend..." Haha. Let me run away and hide! They ended with "Looks Like A Mess".
During their set they mentioned their merchandise table and said the name "Ezra". It hit me: Los Angeles, Ezra, Slowdance Records sticker on the table. Could it be Ezra Ace from HappyHappyKillKill Zine, Slowdance Records, and well known band photographer? I had to ask so I did. It was indeed Ezra Ace. I then introduced myself. What a random meeting!
The Jazz June were boring. Even the songs I loved two years ago were poor renditions. The one guitar player that looked "evil" was doing some pretty good guitar work but it was not enough to save the band. The last song they did went on forever..... welcome to Borelando.
I sat down on the steps after they finally quit playing. That's when Jessi (aka CGG) made her introduction by sitting right down next to me. We'd been emailing each other for a few weeks but we never met (or so I had thought). She knew who I was because she sees me at shows. I got kinda embarrassed (long story) because I did recognize her. I see her all the time. And she knows Nole. Nole was there, too, sitting right behind me. I met Nole at Yo La Tengo a couple of weeks back. What a pair of cutiepies.
I don't think I've heard Elliott before. To tell the truth, they were not what I expected. I expected a loud, heavy emo band like Hot Water Music or something. Boy, was I wrong. They are total space rock; Long songs, delayed guitars, few lyrics - what lyrics I heard were really sweet. I like them! They played along with an electronic drumkit and keyboard tape. Sweet. You should have seen the guitar player with the muscles. It was like he was slow-fucking his guitar the whole time. When I went over to take photographs I couldn't stand in front of him for very long. It was too much, know what I mean? I wonder if he needed a cigarette after the show......
This show is going to be infamous because of the dancers. People that were there tonight will know exactly what I am referring to. They are either groaning or laughing. This one older guy was doing the fandango to Elliott! A woman was also dancing with him. His shirt was coming off him and everything! Then there was this blonde lady, totally out of place (not that it matters, really), and very wasted. She made her way to the front and was booty dancing (err whatever you call it). At one point she was dancing with Mr. Fandango and she lifted her shirt to reveal some large boobage. I was too surprised to even get my camera ready cos no one would ever believe that just happened. She later would give the bass player the "invitation" finger. She even pulled out their CD she just bought, flashed it to the bass player and placed it back in her purse with a nod of anticipation. I would not have believed this is if didn't happen right before my eyes.
What a crazy show!
[ The Jazz June ]
[ The Jazz June ]
[ Elliott ]
[ Elliott ]
[ Sunday's Best ]
[ Elliott & the girl ]
Writing and Photographs ©
2000 by Jeffrey Howard.
Please don't display them elsewhere.