Daily Loaf

A veritable dance party erupted at Crowbar this past Tuesday evening during and between splendid sets by Vivian Girls (NYC), and Tampa’s Sleepy Vikings and Hippodrome.

Vivian Girls

Everything went right for the highly-anticipated Vivian Girls set last night. Well, mostly right — there was one minor snag with a misbehaving guitar that resulted in frequent string breakage the previous evening. So when a string broke during their first song, Conner from Sleepy Viking saved the day by loaning Cassie a guitar and the rest of the set went popping along. Vivian Girls delivered on their promise of lo-fi reverb filled songs to make listeners dance up a storm, and threw some new tunes into the mix. In addition, Vivian Girls finished strong with an apt demonstration of their musical skills, successfully swapping instruments without missing a beat during their final song, “Damaged.” This tour is in support of the trio’s new record, Everything Goes Wrong, which ditches some of their signature pop for a more “serious” sound, and consistent with the album’s theme is an inauspicious 13 songs. I’m excited to see what’s next for these ladies… will the naysayer bloggers win out and the Vivian Girls fade away into obscurity, or will the Vivian Girls prevail? Only time will tell, but I have a hunch it will be the latter.

Vivian Girls are Cassie Ramone (guitar/vocals), Kickball Katy (bass/vocals), and Ali Koehler (drums/vocals)

Sleepy Vikings

First, yes, most of the cast comprising new Bay area band, Sleepy Vikings, were members of Tampa favorites Giddy-Up, Helicopter! (Creative Loafing’s Reader’s Choice for Best of the Bay in 2006 and 2007.) But it would be a mistake to frame Sleepy Vikings simply as Giddy-Up, Helicopter! remixed with some personnel changes. Rather, Sleepy Vikings is a brand new endeavor that incorporates some of the beloved elements of Giddy-Up, Helicopter! including creative percussion and intertwined male/female vocals. These songs are quieter somehow, but at the same time not at all. They played their first show tonight to a packed house of adoring fans and left the stage apologizing for not having more songs to play — yet! Keep an ear out as they get recording!

Sleepy Vikings is Ry, Tessa, Cub, Momma, Pacheco, & Conner

Hippodrome

Hippodrome are Tampa Bay locals but this is the first time I have seen them play, and alas, I only managed to catch a few songs. The songs I saw were fun and engaging with tiered vocals received well by enthusiastic audience members. Check out their myspace where you can get your very own copy of their handcolored EP, Face Up Toward Your Belly.

Hipodrome is Andrew Cormack (Vocals, Guitar), Steven Davis (Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals), John Martin (Bass, Backing Vocals), Wes Greene (Drums) and Andy Walker (Keys, Odds, Ends)

For more photos, please visit:

Posted in Music, Music Review, photography | Leave a comment