Fresno Famous

Affirming the theory that every able-bodied hipster flees the Valley as soon as possible, the show at Jon Jon's on Tuesday was ripe with underage coolness. Way to go kids, you'd fit right in on Bedford. My heart was gladdened and filled with hope for the future of our fair ville but then Malcom reminded me of the above. They're all outta here ASAP. That being said it was nice to see a turnout of beautiful young people with some fashion sense, like sweet Melissa over here.

Jon Jon's is also unique in that shows start in the afternoon. Countless times I wished for a venue such as this, back when I had a real job and had to be able to think at 7 am- or at least convince people that I was thinking. "Uhm, yeah, rock on and all that, but can we wrap it up by 10? It's night-night time!" But now that I've been to one of these shows I have to say it loses something. I'm just not ready to rock at 6pm.

Seachange was jolly good. I couldn't help being reminded of British Sea Power, minus the on-stage foliage. The music was in the same vein I suppose, with the addition of a violin and subtraction of the snare drum. Very good British smart rock, even if the band was a bit wilted. "We're English and not used to this heat. How do you deal with it?" asked singer Dan Eastop. They sold out of CD's at the show, which tells you something. Nearly as interesting was hearing about their show at the Bowery Ballroom with Guided by Voices- who announced they were calling it quits! Heavy.

Pretty Girls Make Graves put on an exciting, energetic show, made all the more entertaining by bass player and Fresno native Derek Fudesco's family dancing by the side of the stage. Nearly every PGMG song is an anthem, with singer Andrea Zollo pumping a pointed finger in the air on the beat. I thought she pointed it at me a few times; maybe she wanted me to go over there and help the Fudescos find their rhythm.

It was a small turn out but PGMG gave a powerful performance with all the kids singing along. I don't understand what people in Fresno want. That was a great show and if it were in New York or SF it would have been packed- even on a Tuesday.

Really poor photos of PGMG. By this point I felt too old to wiggle my way up to the stage.



Seachange