New Pornographers, Henry Fonda Theatre, 9/29/05

So my friend shows up at my place at 8:30. I figure we should get to the show around 9pm. Instead of leaving, we get in a huge fight. Apparently I didn't want to see my friend's new striptease dance, and she didn't want to hear my newest song lyrics. An hour long screaming match which included the terms "abuser" and "psycho-bitch" left us with an actual departure time of 9:30.

The late departure actually turned into a good thing. We got to the Fonda and found out the NPs werent playing until 10:30. We headed back to my car and proceeded to smoke a couple of bowls.

We walk into the Fonda at around 10. I think Destroyer was playing. Didn't really care. The Fonda is a pretty run of the mill theatre/rock space. The carpet is funky, the paint is gold, and the chandeliers are cheap. We headed towards the balcony to look for some seats. Unfortunately all the seats were taken. We headed outside to a very cool little patio area on the roof of the place. It was a pretty sweet spot. There was a bar, some pool tables, couches, and a projection of the band on stage on one of the walls. While we were chilling outside, I realized that my friend and I were the only people of color on the patio. I guess you get what you pay for when you go to a canadian indie-pop show.

At about 10:45 the NPs go on. A new section of balcony seating opened up so my friend and I took a couple seats with red wine on the rocks in hand. NPs opened with Twin Cinema, and quickly followed with another song off their new album. I could tell right away that this band prides itself on its lo-fi sound. Small amps, simple drum beats, and not too much distortion. I was hoping they would crank it up a few notches when they played live. I guess not, oh well.

The set went on and they played all of my favorites. Mass Romantic, Slow Descent into Alcoholism, Electric Version, Fake Headlines...and so on. My favorite part was when one of their collaborators, Dan, came on the stage to sing various songs. He had a Heiniken in one hand and a mic in the other. Each time he came out for a song, he was that much more drunk. I'm not saying he hit every note, but he did a very good job for a canadian in LA. Two encores and a meal at Pete's Cafe later, I was asleep.

I am currently suffering a mild case of lock jaw thanks to the dentist.