Japandroids

i went to go see japandroids the other night with my music loving friend, tom.  we went to this basement restaurant in central (which is so much more convenient that asiaexpo all the way past the airport - where most concerts are held).  the tickets were fairly priced and included a free drink.  i went to go meet tom and saw a bunch of hipsters sitting outside drinking and smoking.  i thought, this is cool - very non-hong kong.  we waited a minute or two at the door and went in to find a crowd that was older than what we both expected.  we nestled into a prime location and waited to see how it would all unfold.

they had an opening band, revolver, from paris who were pretty good.  it was their last show - a 3 piece band including a cellist (that made me happy).   very chilled out music to have dinner or could easily be in a soundtrack - as tom said, "scene shot from behind of some old cowboy kicking a bottle on the side of the dusty road."

then japandroids came on.  the lead (can he lead one other bandmate?) came on to check his guitar and i havent seen a white dude in skinny jeans quite like that since i left the east village.  he had knobbly little knees and looked about 25.  the drummer was kinda shaggy in appearance and resembles the cop from 'bridesmaids' (i kindly googled his for you as i cant handle not knowing actors names:  chris o'dowd).  they started with a full on number right off the bat.  i like them.  the drummer was fierce.  i love them.

it was a very good show despite the lame acoustics in said basement restaurant.  some non-band highlights included:

• #1 (chinese) fan:  was screaming mental from the beginning; at one point, a speaker fell and he wasted no time hopping up on stage to try to help.  sadly, he was quickly told to get down by the roadies.
• #1 (white dude) fan:  was a big lad with a broken wrist.  he waited no time taking his shirt off and screaming in competition with the other #1 fan.  at one point, he had a beer bottle in his broken hand but the cast didnt allow for flexibility and he dumped part of his beer on himself.
• the mosh pit:  it started off pretty small (like 8 people, no joke) but by the end at least 20.  they were trying to body surf and it was oh so sad; dropping people on their heads repeatedly...hong kong, you do try.
• bandmates girlfriend:  she was clearly jetlagged as she stood off to the side with her arms crossed looking exhausted and fully asleep at times.  i took a picture but it was pretty blurry.

anyway, tom and i had a blast.  i felt like i was almost in a cool city again (please stress the "almost") with  a great band, people who just want to have fun and enjoy the havoc.  i wish japandroids the best and am now a lifelong fan.