Photo by Chad // Written by Kevin Raos //
Noise Pop: El Ten Eleven with The Mattson 2, Pale Blue Dot //
The New Parish – Oakland
February 28th, 2014 //
Where to start with Friday night’s show at The New Parish. It was a dark and stormy night. No really, it actually was a dark and stormy night in Oakland for Noise Pop featuring a trio of really cool bands and headlined by El Ten Eleven. First up was Pale Blue Dot, a trio from the East Bay consisting of members of James & Evander, The Aimless Never Miss and B. Hamilton, who brought their “Carl Sagan-inspired disco” to those lucky enough to seek refuge from the blustery conditions outside.
The Mattson 2 subsequently sported a suit and tie with their gazey hybrid of surfy jazz-rock. The Mattson 2 even invited famed pro skateboarder and musician Tommy Guerrero to slap the bass for a few songs, including one titled “Cascade”. Consisting of drums and guitar, this duo (and sometimes trio) got the crowd warmed up properly for the headliner.
At this point, those in attendance were ready for the evening’s main event: El Ten Eleven. The self-proclaimed “power duo” from Los Angeles created an immense sound with the aid of a looper and heavily modulated effects. Wielding a double-neck guitar/bass combo, El Ten Eleven’s experimental sound was polished and fresh, never drifting into monotony, which looper pedals can sometimes do. Entirely instrumental, El Ten Eleven was highly danceable and funky, much to the approval of the purportedly fervent fans.
Expectations are everything for me. I knew nothing about El Ten Eleven prior to the show and was incredibly impressed by their original sound and dramatic display of exceptional musicianship. According to a friend at the show, they played some of their most well known songs, even offering their take on Radiohead’s classic “Paranoid Android”. El Ten Eleven’s vibrant live show was highly technical, musically intelligent and infectiously groovy. They are a band that is not to be missed.
You know I will be at the show next time they come through the Bay Area.
