Over to the Key Club: The Automatic Music Explosion and The Mulhollands

The Key Club and Monday nights: based on the myspace bulletins I received from The Automatic Music Explosion it appears that the Key Club is back to a 9:30 p.m. guest list cut off for Steel Panther. The club seems to switch policies every few months. One policy is that people on a band’s guest list need to get to the club by 9:30 p.m. The other policy is that people on a band’s guest list need to get there before their band gets on stage, which means someone can show up as late as 11 p.m. and still get in for free.

Nancy Fullforce. This band puts on an interesting show. I walked into the Key Club and on the main floor there was a small platform. I looked at it and wondered, “What that’s for?” I found out at 9:15 p.m. A young lady got on it and started to tap dance. Now that is an opening. There were also two guys on either side of the floor holding signs that said “Rock” and “Roll.” The O’s were cut out so that the guys could stick their heads through the alphabet. The two guys later came back as weight lifters. During one song that had the word “vulture” in it, there was a scene from (I believe) The Birds projected on the stage screen. So what about the band itself? It is hard to say. This was the first time I’ve seen this band. One cool thing about this band is that they incorporate a saxophone and trumpet. I always appreciate a band that uses musical instruments other than the standard drums, guitar and bass. Interesting note: I wonder if this was the first time they’ve played at the Key Club. The trumpeter occasionally would put his trumpet down and pull out the digital camera.

The Automatic Music Explosion and The Mulhollands. Okay, so if you read this blog, you’ve figured out by now that I’m a sucker for these two bands. The AME had the 10 p.m. slot. Their new song is titled “Rock Me Like This.” I mentioned this song in a previous blog, but wasn’t able to nail down the song title. This song won’t allow you to relax. This song is the equivalent of a high octane action movie squeezed into 3 or 4 minutes. I learned that this song is from producer Mike Chapman. He produced albums for Blondie and The Knack. The AME needs to get this song recorded, because it deserves some radio airplay. During the set, an occasional voice would come booming out at just the right moments during song breaks. The first time I heard it I looked around the Key Club. Was a Key Club DJ getting into the music and making shot-outs? Actually, it was the drummer, Max. The Mulhollands came up next. Murray, their guitar player, was back on stage. Previously, Eric from The New Hotness had taken the guitar duties. Murray had a broken arm at that time so it was good to see him back. The Mulhollands are a band that focuses in on Sarah J’s vocals. Her vocals were going Monday night. Unlike at the The Roxy, there were no sound difficulties. Jeff, on bass, who usually plays in the background without drawing too much attention was getting on his knees and rocking it during a song or two. Matt Fuller was playing to the crowd so much so that a couple guys came towards the stage at one point and started to give him the band worship gyrations. It all ended with Sarah J taking out the megaphone for the last two songs. One must love the megaphone.

This was an interesting night in terms of who showed up. There were a variety of friends that showed up, many of whom seldom interact with each other. I always find it interesting how certain bands (in this case The AME and The Mulhollands) can bring so many varied groups together.

For some reason I focused in on opening this Monday night. Nancy Fullforce started it off with the tap dancer. The Automatic Music Explosion came out from behind the curtain, walking in a line to their spots. The Mulhollands settled in on stage, checking their gear, and when the time came went for it full force.