Hey all! It’s been a while since we had a throw-down, rockin installment of the Accomplice, but in the truest American tradition I have an excuse! I blame the internet. Specifically truckeetahoeradio.com, 101.5’s super-awesome website. Even more specifically, it’s due to the video, contests, playlists and click-through sponsors that Kevin, Lindsay and the rest of us have been keeping updated. Congratulations to our High Sierra pass winners: Jennifer from South lake and Lindsey from Truckee.
OK, on to the Cold War Kids. Like most people in the music business, I have attended many, many concerts over the years but even as a grizzled veteran of the mosh-pit scene, when one hears a band described as ‘Soul-Punk Road Dogs’ (which in my opinion is a great name for a band all by itself), one is quite perplexed. Confused, even. As it turns out though, there’s a lot more to the ‘Kids’ than four words could possibly convey. Cold War Kids hit the scene with a bang in 2004 in historic downtown Fullerton, Calif., and in 2005 they recorded their first EP – ‘Mulberry St. Ristorante,’ – above the restaurant of the same name.
Extensive touring and a little bump from some internet support (plus their monster of a single, ‘Hang Me Up To Dry’) have sent them onto the international stage with stops planned in the U.K., France and the Netherlands in addition to their 2009 U.S. dates. Cold War Kids played to a large and devoted following at the Crystal Bay Club on April 26, some from as far away as Reno and Sacramento, and from the crowd reaction, it was pretty apparent they have nothing but love for the ‘Kids. I mention this because even if I am stepping on some toes, I have to be honest; the Cold War Kids are LOUD (that’s a good thing) and they do, in fact, play ‘rock music.’ On top of that, it’s really hard to believe that these guys have only been playing together for five years. They rock like legends of old, their sound is tight, and woven throughout it is a beat like the primal heart of music. Most strongly reminding me of bands like The Rolling Stones and Iggy and the Stooges, the Cold War Kids still can’t be summed up in a ‘sounds like’ comparison. They have their own unique bass- and drum-driven, wall-of-noise sound; but they also have an onstage interplay and jam-session sensibility that seem like a throwback to the great bands of the ‘60s and ‘70s. Mixed with a high-energy delivery, their stage presence is perfectly fitted to their punk marching-band style of music.
This was the first show they played in the Lake Tahoe area, and if the crowd response at CBC was any indication, they’ll be back to play more, shout more and rock the beaches with their relentless and dramatic sound. Stay in the loop at coldwarkids.com.
~ Shaggy spins his deliciously diverse mix, weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on KTKE, 101.5. Email him at radio.shaggy@gmail.com.
