Kasabian and Mad Action
330 Ritch, San Francisco, CA
June 9, 2005

The weekend started off brightly on Thursday night at the Popscene appreciation party, a free show by UK buzz band Kasabian. V had swung guest list passes for the two of us as well as Naomi, Geoff, and Gary, so we bypassed the enormous line that had been forming since the night before. We were among the first ones inside 330 Ritch, and set up camp a few feet from the stage. Before long the smallish club was sweltering, packed with indie kids awaiting the boys from Leicester. Openers Mad Action did well to take my mind off the oppressive heat, dishing out some ear-splitting rock in the style of the Warlocks and Low Flying Owls. I liked them so much i bought a cd on the way out, telling the drummer i thought they kicked ass. Between sets the heat really began to take its toll, with Geoff heading for the back and the possibility of a cool breeze from the door. An Irish girl behind me decided to rest her head and arms on my back for five minutes or so, prompting Jenz to ask if i knew her. At last the house lights dimmed and Kasabian took the stage to the opening synths of "ID" and proceeded to get the crowd shaking for 75 minutes. Jenz, Gary, V, and i somehow found the mental toughness (or stubbornness) to hang on to our spots at the front through to the end of the epic closer "Club Foot". In my assessment the band eclipsed their wonderful show at Slim's from a few months back. The singer commented that this was the best show they'd played yet in America, with fantastic energy and enthusiasm in the crowd. My feelings exactly. Definitely worth way more than a little lost sleep.

login to submit comments