This is my first time updating this blog in something like, two years. I was thinking about the term "Yacht Rock" which is just a silly term for Soft Rock groups like Air Supply, Christopher Cross, Hall & Oats, Michael McDonald etc. I was thinking how it would be amazing to be in a soft rock, yacht rock, Calypso Rock band to play a hc, and hopefully ruin someones bruuuutal night. Then...something dawned on me...
It has already happened.
So in 2003 I think, I saw that Breathe In was playing a rare couple of shows in California. I am not sure if they previously broken up by this point, but they were playing, and I wanted to see them. For any of you not familiar with Breathe In, they were a rare breed of band that I liked on Bridge 9 records, who are most notable for putting out bands like Death Before Dishonor, Terro, and other bands who never really fit into my type of niche of punk/hardcore. They were comparable to Blag Flag, like the reviews say, and it is done very well. So, I took the prime opportunity to make the trip to Long Beach for the show.
I get to Koos in Long Beach, to not see very many people, maybe 15-20 folks. I don't think the show was promoted very well. So, I get there, I don't know who the first band was that played so The Backup Plan were setting up. I think The Backup Plan were from New York, or Jersey. From all accounts I heard, The Backup Plan were not on a full tour, but had driven straight from the east coast to play these shows. I am not really sure as the band did not interest me at all, either musically, or what they had to say. So I watched their set, while thinking of other things not related.
Now, onward to the interesting part of the night. I see two gentleman set up after The Backup Plan. They were both scraggly looking dudes, wearing matching Hawaiian shirts, flared white sailing pants, and white slip on gummies. They looked like a couple dudes who have been passed out on a sailboat, and got washed ashore with some instruments. I remember the drummer having a really rad black oyster Ludwig set from the 60's. They proceeded to kick out some calypso jams that were at moderate volume, where you can still talk to your friend without needing to yell. They played for a good half hour, and they were not half bad. The drummer, I can tell came from the punk rock academy, as he was breaking sticks at least once a song, hitting with such force, for such simple rhythms. They finished their set, and broke down the gear.
I went outside for a smoke (yeah, I was bad back then) waiting for Breathe In to set up. I saw my buddy Brandon outside, and we just chatted about the usual BS. I told him I was stoked for Breath In to play. He looked at me straight, and said "Um, that was Breathe In. I was was just told they are doing these shows as "Kokomo", and playing this sailor rock, and The Backup Plan are pissed hahaha". So, I find out that the show was over, and Breathe In managed to piss off some folks. My friend and I were not one of those people, as this band were in the business of bumming people out, and business was good.
Kokomo, you rock!!!
