Another album release show hosted by the people of Schubas and Lincoln Hall. It seems the two venues are ground zero for emerging local artists this year. Tonight was a double album release show for Secret Colours and Gold Motel. Before the two bands played their new material for our virgin ears Los Angeles natives Mini Mansions opened the evening.

Mini Mansions are a unique three piece. The band members share duties on keyboard, bass, and a half drum kit . MM songs tended towards slower tempos but retained an edginess and rawness many times only associated with more aggressive bands. Much of this quality was due to the bands distorted bass and boombastic drums played primarily on floor toms while the percussionist stood during the performance.

Mini Mansions strongly used harmonies remiscent of Pet Sounds era Beach Boys complete with falsetto. MM most memorable moment came during their unique cover of Blondie’s “Heart of Glass.” Their version was gritty and foreign from the original using tempo changes that made the songs almost unidentifiable without knowing the lyrics.

Local favorites from Geneva, Illinois Secret Colours took the stage next. The performance was to be their album release show for their self titled debut but as we found out during our interview the group had recently hired a publicist who wanted more advance time to give the album proper promotion. As a compromise the band can still sell the new release at shows but it won’t be available digitally or online until August 3.

Secret Colours are heavily influenced by the neopsychedelic  movement of the late 90s and most commonly reference The Brian Jonestown Massacre and The Dandy Warhols. SC also mentioned Spaceman 3, The Black Angels, and The Stone Roses influences. The band plays the music authentically as if they came up during the aforementioned psychedelic revival. Guitarist and singer Tommy Evans is the primary song writer and the group formed around his original demos. The band is very aware of their groups aesthetics. With perfectly messy hair and vintage Ray Bans. There’s no denying this band is hip and is poised to be successful with all the psych fans out there.

Secret Colours was heavily covered at this show as was Gold Motel. Several camera crews infected the audience the audience including members of local access show JBTV. We’ve heard rumors recently JB is possibly getting a channel of their own. SN would love a music videos channel as we rarely see emerging artists on TV unless it’s midnight on a Sunday when Subterranean airs. Most times the crews were fun but other times they took up space and seemed to make the audience feel uncomfortable taking away from their enjoyment of the show. It seemed this happened more from the reality show crew following an audience member for a potential developing program. I learned the audience member is an airline pilot and her life is somehow the basis of the show. The camera crew’s most ridiculous shots involved a camera man shooting from only a few feet away from your face for no other reason but to capture some audience members for background texture. The most abrassive part was the huge spotlight in your face during the middle of the performances.

The final performance of the night came from Gold Motel who has members from Chicago area also but was mainly created in Los Angeles. GM is fronted by Greta Morgan of The Hold Steady and the band is her solo project. Gold Motel’s music was light hearted pop but played in a serious way. It was easy to see the band was playing their hearts out possibly since this was their album release show for their new recording Summer House. For a finale the band played a cover of “California Sun” which was sure to send audience members out into the still sunny evening singing along and tapping their toes.   -Ben Vegas