Parquet Courts, White Fence share an exciting bill at GAMH

Photos by Kory Thibeault // Written by Kevin Quandt //

Parquet Courts & White Fence with CCR Headcleaner //
Great American Music Hall – San Francisco
January 16, 2014 //

A packed house was eagerly ready for the triumphant return of one of 2013’s most exciting rookie acts that goes by Parquet Courts. They weren’t the only heavy-hitter on the bill as White Fence and local’s CCR Headcleaner set the Great American Music Hall ablaze with various takes on the state of contemporary rock. Each band brought fueled-up performances to a mix of youthful punkers and savvy critics as head-banging, moshing and shoe-gazing all had a place on this evening.

San Francisco heat-seeker’s CCR Headcleaner started things off with a stony take on garage-rock that tapped into the noisier side of Black Sabbath. Though not a recent act to the City, they have been gaining attention as cohorts, and contemporaries, of Ty Segall’s latest act, Fuzz, who will be releasing a split as part of Famous Class Records’ LACM series.

Somewhat surprisingly, Parquet Courts were next to take the stage as it appeared the majority of the crowd was in attendance for only their third show in San Francisco after a gig at Rickshaw Stop in early June and Hemlock prior to that. 2013’s Light Up Gold was a breath of fresh air for independent music, and their subsequent live show lived up to the hype, equally. The NYC quartet started out the evening with a pair of unfamiliar tunes that were extended to small psych-drone masterpieces, even if the crowd seemed to be waiting for the more-familiar. “You’ve Got Me Wonderin’ Now” got things kicking as a decent pit began to form to the delight of the band.

Parquet Courts don’t really give a fuck. They play what they want, and we are just lucky enough to be in on it. Newer tracks like “She’s Rolling” took wings as the dual guitar acts of Andrew Savage and Austin Brown elevated feedback sections that would make Thurston Moore nod in approval (not to mention Brown looks like Moore in mop-haired appearance). It was about halfway in when the band started to tackle gems off their debut LP in the form of opening duet “Master of My Craft” into “Borrowed Time”, as well as “Yr No Stoner” into “Careers in Combat”. Savage and his newly-grown Sideshow Bob-esque afro couldn’t help but remark on the younger members of the crowd having the time of their life; “Sure like watching you boys move around out there,” he stated with a smirk. “Stoned and Starving” was oddly missing from the night’s set, possibly a product of not being awarded the headlining set on this night. Whatever, Parquet Courts don’t give a fuck.

Tim Presley’s White Fence would be last to play on this Thursday night with a revamped lineup and a newer album, Cyclops Reaps, under their belts. Some new elements on stage allowed Presley more musical room for him to delve into his guitar-shredding odysseys he, and the crowd, craves. “Pink Gorilla” got the set going nicely before launching “Swagger Vets and Double Moons”. Vocals is what sets White Fence apart from their contemporaries as Presley’s nasal-leaning singing comes off as more British than Californian. The Great American did unfortunately clear out a little bit as the rambunctiousness of Parquet Courts settled into a more mellow atmosphere where the music was the focus.