If you’ve seen Candy Claws this summer, you may not even recognize this recording as originating the same band.   (That’s certainly an exaggerated statement, but it’s amazing how much their live performances have evolved in the last nine months!)

Candy Claws
12.04.2009
Lion’s Lair, Denver, CO

Source:  Microtech Gefell M300’s > Lunatec V3 > digi-coax > Oade Mod Edirol R-44 @ 24/48 > Adobe Audition 3.0 > Resample to 16/44.1 > CDWave
Taped by:  Lance Stack

Setlist:
1. Track #01
2. Track #02
3. Track #03
4. Track #04
5. Track #05
6. Track #06
7. Track #07

A zipfile of the mp3s is available here.
FLAC files can be downloaded as a zipfile here.

Take
12.04.2009
Lion’s Lair, Denver, CO

Source:  Microtech Gefell M300’s > Lunatec V3 > digi-coax > Oade Mod Edirol R-44 @ 24/48 > Adobe Audition 3.0 > Resample to 16/44.1 > CDWave
Taped by:  Lance Stack

Setlist:
1. The Light
2. unknown
3. unknown
4. The Cat Who Walks Through Walls
5. Never Watching
6. Gargoyle
7. Be Still
8. Ripped Off
9. American Religion
10. unknown
11. John Wayne

A zipfile of the mp3s is available here.
FLAC files can be downloaded as a zipfile here.

This was the first time I had a chance to see Old Radio, and it was definitely worth getting out and facing the cold weather!

Old Radio
12.04.2009
Lion’s Lair, Denver, CO

Source:  Microtech Gefell M300’s > Lunatec V3 > digi-coax > Oade Mod Edirol R-44 @ 24/48 > Adobe Audition 3.0 > Resample to 16/44.1 > CDWave
Taped by:  Lance Stack

Setlist:
1. Worst Idea Theater
2. Naked Girl Part 2
3. A Void
4. Asleep at the Wheel
5. Promise, Etc.
6. New Wives’ Tale
7. Picture Perfect

A zipfile of the mp3s is available here.
FLAC files can be downloaded as a zipfile here.

Following yesterday’s post of the 9/1/2010 Birds and Batteries show, here’s another they played two years ago in Denver.  Listening to both 2008 and 2010 yields some insight into this band’s evolution over the past two years.

Birds and Batteries
7.17.2008
The Lion’s Lair, Denver, CO

Source: DPA 4060s (Core-Sound HEBs) > battery box > Lunatec V3 > M-Audio Microtrack 2 > CF > WAV > Adobe Audition 3.0 > CDWave
Taped by: Lance Stack

Setlist:
1. intro
2. We’re An Industry
3. I’ll Never Sleep Again
4. Soft Surveillance
5. After A Flood
6. Turnstyles
7. Ocarina
8. Mythology: The Great Director
9. Star Clusters

A zipfile of the mp3s is available here.
FLAC files are available upon request.

The Pseudo Dates
4.17.2009
Lion’s Lair, Denver, CO

Source:  Microtech Gefell M300’s > Lunatec V3 > digi-coax > Oade Mod Edirol R44 @ 24/48 > WAV > Adobe Audition 3.0 > Resample to 16/44.1 > CDWave
Taped by:  Lance Stack

Setlist:
1. Indeed We Love You
2. Last Night I Dreamed I Cut My Hair
3. Sinister Kisses
4. Amber, Show Me Your Scars
5. Songbirds
6. Wine & Coffee
7. Amateur Night At the Shooting Range
8. Sleepy Shoes
9. Cross Your Fingers
(Encore)
10. I Don’t Know But I Think I Might

A zipfile of the mp3s is available here.
FLAC files can be downloaded as a zipfile here.

The Somnambulists
4.17.2009
Lion’s Lair, Denver, CO

Source:  Microtech Gefell M300’s > Lunatec V3 > digi-coax > Oade Mod Edirol R44 @ 24/48 > WAV > Adobe Audition 3.0 > Resample to 16/44.1 > CDWave
Taped by:  Lance Stack

Setlist:
1. unknown
2. Pavement Saw
3. unknown
4. unknown
5. The Bee Song
6. unknown
7. unknown

A zipfile of the mp3s is available here.
FLAC files can be downloaded as a zipfile here.

(Photo from Noise Pop ’09 by Cameron Platt)

St. Patrick’s weekend is not the most opportune time to book quiet shows at dive bars, the nightlife being much more interested in intoxication and revelry than in a listening experience.  After skipping out early from the Les Claypool show, I made my way down to the Lion’s Lair to catch Two Sheds, who were on their way from California to SXSW.  Lacking a drummer for this trip, Two Sheds gave their tunes the mellow treatment on this particular night.  Those of us sitting close to the stage had the chance to soak in Caitlin Gutenberger’s dream-like vocals.  In time, the background chatter and beer buzzes were melted away.

Two Shed’s first full-length and more recent EP can both be purchased here (in physical form) or via iTunes.

Two Sheds
3.14.2009
Lion’s Lair, Denver, CO

Source:  Microtech Gefell M300’s > Lunatec V3 > Oade Mod Edirol R44 @ 24/48 > WAV > Adobe Audition 3.0 > Resample to 16/44.1 > CDWave > LAME > mp3
Taped by:  Lance Stack

Setlist:
1. For Theresa
2. The Ballad of Salty Dog
3. Undertow
4. To Be Alive
5. You
6. WTF?
7. unknown
8. Momma
9. Psycho Killer

A zipfile of the mp3s is available here.
FLAC files can be downloaded as a zipfile here.

Since the show I saw in November, Houses have been tightening the screws on their live act, settling on a lineup that appears well-equipped to serve as an outlet for primary songwriter Andy Hamilton’s proliferation of new material.  The band hit the studio this month, laying down tracks for a debut album.  Some initial output from these sessions can be found on myspace, and this recording from last night will give you a taste of their on-stage energy.

Houses
1.30.2009
The Lion’s Lair, Denver, CO

Source:  DPA 4060s (Core-Sound HEBs) > battery box > Lunatec V3 (opti-mod) > Nomad JB3 > WAV > Adobe Audition 3.0 > CDWave > Flac16
Taped by:  Lance Stack

Setlist:
1. “The Scone Song”
2. Rainy Day Parade
3. Crossing the North Sea
4. Fair Weather
5. Your Ghost
6. We’re Alright
7. Circles and Squares

FLAC files can be downloaded via BitTorrent at cotapers.
A zipfile of the mp3s is available here.

Safe Boating is No Accident, having only been around since mid-2008, are relative newcomers to the Denver scene.  Their songs often blend classic country with E6 pop sensibilities, resulting in material that feels very familiar to the listener without coming across as antiquated.

Safe Boating is No Accident
1.16.2009
The Lion’s Lair, Denver, CO

Source:  DPA 4060s (Core-Sound HEBs) > battery box > Lunatec V3 (opti-mode) > Nomad JB3 > Firewire > WAV > Adobe Audition 3.0 > CDWave > Flac16
Taped by:  Lance Stack

Setlist:
1. intro
2. Sixteen Tons
3. Danger
4. Little Universe
5. A Scientific Man
6. Ladyfriend Waltz
7. Lies
8. Libertines
9. I Was Born a Suffering Man
10. Greenback Dollar
11. banter
12. Will the Circle Be Unbroken

FLAC files can be downloaded via BitTorrent here.
A zipfile of the mp3s is available here.

Here’s a set from one of Denver’s best (and loudest) slacker bands, Fissure Mystic. 

BTW, does anyone know who took this photo?  I found it in the bowels of Google…perfect depiction of Andy.  :)

Fissure Mystic
9.05.2008
Lion’s Lair, Denver, CO

Source:  DPA 4060s (Core-Sound HEBs) > battery box > M-Audio Microtrack 2 >
CF > WAV > Adobe Audition 3.0 > CDWave > Flac16
Taped by:  Lance Stack (inthistube [at] gmail.com)

Setlist:
1. Lucy Dee
2. Breakthrough
3. unknown
4. unknown
5. Seasons Fly

FLAC files can be downloaded via BitTorrent here.
A zipfile of the mp3s is available here.

Here’s the legendary Pseudo Dates “guitar army” show from September, where Nathan was joined by three other guitarists for the second half of the set!  This show went off so well that Taylor Rice joined the band as a fourth member later this fall.

(Note: I just finished tracking out a large run of shows yesterday, so be prepared for a deluge of new posts later this evening, including two more Pseudo Dates sets.)

The Pseudo Dates
9.05.2008
Lion’s Lair, Denver, CO

Source: DPA 4060s (Core-Sound HEBs) > battery box > M-Audio Microtrack 2 >
CF > WAV > Adobe Audition 3.0 > CDWave > Flac16
Taped by: Lance Stack (inthistube [at] gmail.com)

Setlist:
1. intro
2. unknown
3. Last Night I Dreamed That I Cut My Hair
4. You Have Time
5. You’ve Got My Number
6. unknown
7. Sleepy Shoes *
8. Wine & Coffee *
9. I Don’t Know, But I Think I Might *
10. Sinister Kisses *
11. Amateur Night at the Shooting Range *

Notes:
* = with guest guitarists

Guest Guitarists:
Lucas Johannes (Action Packed Thrill Ride)
Diana Sperstad (Games For May)
Taylor Rice (Fissure Mystic)

(A zipfile of the mp3s is available here.)

The Visitations
9.05.2008
Lion’s Lair, Denver, CO

Now available on archive.org