KEXP Broadcast: Day One
‘Austin City Limits’ soundstage, Wednesday, March 14
On the first of three daily live broadcasts courtesy of Seattle’s KEXP FM, London’s Early Years tested the limits of broadband frequency with searing sonic soundscapes that found guitarists David Malkinson and Roger Mackin becoming one with their various pedals. The duo ended their scorching set on hands and knees, worshipping and manipulating the waves of feedback that drowned out the band’s less compelling other half. Austin legends, Ghostland Observatory filled the KLRU studio to near capacity and accomplished the impossible, making a room full of sober scenesters unfold their arms and move their feet to the duo’s electronic convulsions. The pair performed four of their more radio friendly jams, including synth ballad “Silver City” and rave-up “Midnight Voyages,” with Thomas Turner’s beats taking a permanent backseat to Aaron Behrens’ androgynous moonwalking. Following a mass exodus, NYC trio Earl Greyhound got dazed and confused, cranking out afrotastic classic rock that looked and sounded like something from a Bill & Ted adventure through the Seventies. Excellent.
This article appears in March 16 • 2007.