show review: the mallard

"The Mallard, Strawberry Jam, Ornery Ones were fantastic last night! The Mallard sounds super cool as a four piece!" - Luke Giffen, via facebook


last night i went out to see the mallard play at audie's olympic.  fortunately, heather is on vacation so she was able to go as well.  i like the mallard, and really like them live.  for those that don't know, the lead singer of the mallard is greer, formerly of rademacher, but it's a much, much different sound than the old days of rad.  i dig it.  the first time i saw the mallard it was a two piece. then, heather and i saw them as a three piece. now, it's a four piece and sounds really good.  the music is more densely constructed, but still has a very light, energetic and loud feel to it.

the first band of the night was a project featuring james brittain gore on guitar & singing, benji mcentee (of the fay rays) on bass, and another guy on drums.  they had a nice sound, but it didn't blow me away.

the second band of the night was strawberry jam.  i'd never heard of them, but they're from the area.  and they freakin rock.  both heather & i were astonished by the bass player especially.  she laid down some seriously good bass lines on the night.  i shot two videos of them to share with the world:





finally, the mallard was up.  i could see them over and over.  the energy.  the talent.  the awesome noise.  the videos don't do them justice.

so, i'd agree with luke.  awesome show last night.

sunday night in fresno

it's a little bit away, but sunday has options, options, options.

first off, we have a great little comedy show that happens once a month at the starline.



i've been able to catch at least portions of all of the previous comedy jacuzzi events and it's more than worth the money to get in. boney beezly has been bringing in some hot comics from outside and swirling them with the right mix of local talent.

but, sunday night also brings a fine rock and roll show down to fulton 55. you wouldn't know from this logo, but there are fine bands on the bill.



this show features Useless Keys, Quiet Americans, The Mallard. now, i don't know the useless keys (& i'm a lazier blogger than the fresnan so i won't even bother to find a link) but i hope they're good. i do know the quiet americans, and they are very good. solid poppy rock with happy sounding lyrics and enough fuzz to give you a beard. finally, we've got the mallard on the bill. they come from san francisco (sorta) and everything from "the city" should be loved in fresno. but seriously, greer mcgettrick is in the band. we loved greer and her music when she was here in fresno as a part of rademacher. when we heard she had a new band we wanted to see it, and now they'll finally be here. pure awesome. or, if i want to sound like the kids in super 8, mint.

it's tuesday now. you've got time to figure out what you'll do sunday night, but it better be one of these two things.

UPDATE: new flyer for the show. it seems useless keys are the headliner. maybe i'll have to look them up.