Victoria at Bordello

So back to timing being everything.  After the Victoria gig at the Silverlake Lounge, I’d been finding myself humming the songs to myself and wishing so much to hear them again.  So I was just tickled when I saw the announcement that they would be playing again on December 10th.  Showing how deeply in denial I am about Christmas coming up, I turned to my friend and said “Ohhh, the 10th?  What day of the week is that?”  Her answer?  “That’s tomorrow night.”   Who knew?  I thought we were still in the first week of December?

Don’t know how many bands, I’d do a last minute scramble for a babysitter for (maybe a couple) but Ant and the guys proved themselves quite scramble worthy the week before.  I’d, of course, not even need the sitter if not for my husband enjoying the show so much last week.  And with the venue being Bordello, no way was he staying home.

“Bordello flirts with the notorious past of its infamous location as the oldest bar and brothel in Downtown Los Angeles, by reflecting its legendary status as a theater of the unusual and provocative.”

We got there ridiculously early again.  No nice Italian restaurants in this neck of the woods, but we headed in to the bar and found a nice little corner where we could see the first band that had just come on, yet catch up on each other’s day a bit.  It so happened that my dark little corner was near the side door and before long, band equipment was being brought in.  Equipment that I’d recently seen before.  My favorite escort and I were displaced by Victoria’s equipment!

Next up was another local band that was quite good.  It seems this was their first show since taking a break to put together a new album and a good portion of the room had come out to see them.  I looked towards the bar entrance and saw that Ant had arrived as well as Norm and Kirke.  So now the equipment and the musicians were accounted for.  As much as I was enjoying the other band, I really was wanting them to finish up.  Sometimes I’m just impatient, that way.

The moment came and the other band began the painfully slow (to me) process of saying good night to their fans, handing out CD’s and getting their gear off the stage already!  In fairness, they were super nice and I have their CD.  As they left, the process of getting everything in place on stage for Victoria started.  Being near the equipment, each piece was walked right by me on it’s way to the stage.  Some was carried by a tall, thin, blonde fellow that is usually seen behind a microphone and playing guitar.  See, being in a band is not all fun!!

Photo: Tom Gatica

About ten minutes to show time, the hard working guitarist got a chance to sit down.  Instead of taking advantage of the moment, he came over and talked to my husband and me.  Happy to tell you that there is lots to look forward to.  Talk of cellos, keyboards, the promise of more gigs for Victoria and even for Spacehog!

Then it was time for the real event of the night.  Unfortunately for some people, they’d left before they could see the best band!  The crowd had thinned which was a real loss to those folks that must have felt they were up past their bedtime.  For those of us that stayed, Victoria was well worth the wait.  As expected, it was most of the songs that had been played the week before, in a slightly different order.  Ant’s vocals as always heartfelt and powerful, both melodic and raw.

With a smaller audience, and the later hour, it was a trimmed down, no frills set with no introductions or any other talk between songs.  Last weeks gig had included as best I can remember, nine to ten songs.  Wednesday night’s, was less, perhaps seven or eight (I wasn’t counting). Included were Brother, Punching Kicking Kissing, Lost In A Book (if I have that title right), some of the new ones that I don’t have a name for….one that starts out about a mousey girl again.  All too soon, the last song had been played, with no warning ahead of time.  I’d say I hate that and it always leaves me wanting more, but who am I kidding, I’d want more even with ample warning.   I’m not at all complaining.  This second show was such an unexpected treat after waiting so long for the first.  It was another lovely night with the brilliant Victoria.  The best timing for me, unfortunate timing for the foolish people who left early.

And after the cell phone fiasco last week, I have real pictures this time!

Photo: Tom Gatica