The sun was setting on Sunset Blvd and I was enduring my first lonesome drive on the Los Angeles freeway. September 19th, Spiritualized was set to play a private gig hosted by myspace at The Echo. Doors were to open at 8pm. I parked the Volvo in a lot on Echo Park Blvd just passed the grand fountain and adjacent to a festive farmers market. I shuffled my bones down a couple blocks then marched to the end of 100 dedicated supporters (or freeloading myspace freaks) waiting on the overpass. The sun was fading fast. I prayed to the heavens I wouldn't have to stand in one spot, continuously reaching in my pack of reds, for the next two gruesome hours. Fifteen minutes went by and then came strolling the bouncers with bracelets for all those who were smart enough to be there early. I got my free bracelet and walked by The Pioneer Chicken Stand to nearest liquor store. Grabbed myself a tall-boy of Bud before I went back to the Volvo. Put on the Basement Tapes and tilted the seat back until my watch made a rotation. The Mexicans were packing up the fruits and veggies at the market. I stopped for a whizz behind a dumpster. It was 7:45. I decided to take the back alley road back to the bar. I'm feeling like a bolt of lightening and cool as a fox. I rounded the corner and the line was now doubled in size. Only the first half of the line had bracelets on. I was curious to see where the end of these fuckers would stand. It was much further than the bridge I was perched upon an hour and a half earlier. I walked until I saw the last blind fated schlep working circles around himself wondering if he'll get in. I knew he wouldn't. I lit a smoke then walked back towards the door where I found a hole near the front of the line. It was 8:10 when I broke the threshold of the Echo. The bar was dimmly illuminated. There were a few green fluorescent lights on the surrounding walls. I grabbed a brew and stepped out back to the patio (where I saw Ukelear Winter jingle out there old time jug band tunes the previous Sunday) for a smoke. Sir Spaceman didn't step on stage until around 3 or 4 brews later. The bar was filled but still at no comparison to the Hollywood Bowl gig they played with Nick Cave two nights prier. They opened with "Soul on Fire" and that mine was. After an hour and a half of classic tracks like "Cop Shoot Cop" and "Come Together" they spilled the spirits on the crowd with an outstanding performance of "Lord, Can You Hear Me." Good luck finding Spiritualized at a 170 capacity venue again. Mahalo.
(photos by: Jeremy Weiss)
