Oh yes, it’s good to live in Los Angeles, especially when you’ve a brilliant band like The Airborne Toxic Event playing Spaceland, and on a school night, no less. To what, exactly, do we owe the honor? It seems that these introspective art-rockers have quite a lot to celebrate on a Tuesday night- guitarist Steven Chen’s 30th birthday; recently signing with the promising indie label, Majordomo; their debut full length, dropping Aug 5; and a breakthrough performance on “Last Call with Carson Daily.”
After local favorites The Deadly Syndrome and The Henry Clay People kicked off the evening, TATE emerged in their signature black garb, and for the guys, that actually includes donning well-tailored women’s clothing.
“Everyone in the band is wearing a girl’s jacket,” boasted Chen as he straightens his lapel for emphasis. “It just fits right.”
Opening the set with ‘Papillion’ and ‘Gasoline,’ the five piece glided through each and every self-reflective song in their repertoire, something they likely reserve for neighbors.
“If you go out in Silverlake, thank you,” said frontman Mikel Jollett, who formed the band next door, in Los Feliz, Calif. “If you go out elsewhere, thank you. But go out in Silverlake. It’s better.”
We have a suspicion that he’s on to something.
Tour Dates
Jul 19 2008 Download Festival (w/the Jesus and Mary Chain) Mountain View, California
Jul 25 2008 Pemberton Festival (w/ Jay-Z) Pemberton, British Columbia
Aug 2 2008 Download Festival (w/ Iggy and the Stooges) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Aug 7 2008 El Rey Theatre Los Angeles, California
Sep 6 2008 Virgin Festival (w/ Oasis) Toronto, ON
Sep 14 2008 Monolith Festival (at Red Rocks) Morrison, Colorado
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