Winter Luau w/ David Childers, The Lesser Pauls, Dan Sartain and Aqualads

The Milestone

Feb. 25, 2011

The Deal: There are four things in this world I am a sucker for: good music, theme parties, hybrids and food. It's not often that I get the opportunity to enjoy all at once. Thus, when I found out the Milestone was throwing a “Winter Luau” (hybrid theme party) that included free BBQ from delectable boston butts roasted for eight hours (food) with David Childers, The Lesser Pauls, Dan Sartain and Aqualads playing (good music) I could not refuse the adventure ahead.

The Good: For one, the food was delicious and getting “lei'd” by Doob, the doorman, got me in the spirit of the Hawaiian even more so than I already was, considering I took hybrid to heart and was dressed in a Hawaiian print dress with a winter sweater on top and a scarf. However, the music was really where it was at this night.

David Childers was the perfect act to open up the night. The first notes played immediately made me swing my barstool around and direct my attention to where the jamming was to commence. His country with a hint of rock 'n' roll and rockabilly made me want to smack my leg to the beat and drink. Regardless of how exhausted I already was that day, I couldn't stop myself from rocking out. Underneath the ever-changing colored lights and wrung with leas, David and the band made sweet love to their instruments and created a country feel with spurts of rock guitar solos and drumming. With the energy of a hyperactive child eating candy, the band delivered the passion needed to get the night going and people ready for some more fun.

Because David Childers played on the casbah, almost instantaneously, The Lesser Pauls took the main stage for our listening pleasure. May I say that I freaking love their music and I was super stoked that I didn't have to wait another moment for them to begin? While Kenni Falls' solo work is awesome, I must say that she shines the brightest in combination with Ian's fierce plucking on stand-up bass and Ben Henry's slamming drumming. In love with their music and feeding off spectator energy, Kenni's hair slung back and forth as she belted out perfect notes and strummed ferociously on her guitar while Ian's lovely curly locks swung with his movements on his bass and Ben Henry was flying back and forth on his kit so fast and hard that he reminded me of The Muppets' Animal. The unique slightly-indie, slightly-punk, slightly-California rock sound they create makes you want to smash something in the sunshine. The audience was so into them that even after they finished their set, a forgotten song was begged for to cap off the performance. A truly stellar set.

Again in immediate sequence, Dan Sartain jumped on the casbah and began to play. For a duo, the music is incredibly powerful. While playing moderately simple chord progressions and drums, it is well written and catchy; a mixture of old school rock and roll with a trace of country. Their range in tempo has the capacity of making you want to chill and sip on a drink or shake what your momma gave ya. Their deep south roots shine through their melodies and beats. They sing the blues; they sing happiness. It is hard not to appreciate a group with the ability to pull on your heartstrings and make you smile within minutes. Legs spread slightly apart and leaning all of his weight of the arches of his feet as he sang into the microphone and strummed on his guitar, Dan took the stance of a greaser rocker and made the crowd cheer while his drummer held down the beat. And as if they hadn't shown us enough versatility, towards the end of their set they played a tango-esqe song that made me want to grab a pretty lady and tear through the crowd dancing. I couldn't help but dig them.

To finish out the night, Aqualads brought us to the waves and gave us the ultimate faux beach party. I know I have seen them before, but I can rightfully say their sets have been a bit blurry because their music makes me want to drink obscene amounts and pretend I am at the beach. With the twang of California and the rock of the south, they create a vibe that makes you have to hold yourself back from immediately taking an impromptu beach trip to dance in the sunshine and roll around in the shore. If surfing were music, they would be our hometown poster children. The only band dressed to the teeth in luau attire, the lights shined brightly on them like the hot summer sun. The ladies in the audience began dancing 1960s beach style while the men swung their hair to the beat like true surfers. Aqualads is purely instrumental and purely awesome. Their banging drums and singing guitars along with a very rock and roll popping of a beach ball was a beautiful way to end a fantastic eve.

The Bad: I'm not quite sure if this is bad because we were left with more food per person but the turnout wasn't quite as nice as I would've like to see it. Usually with parties of this nature the place is packed and the chaos is at an all time high. Even though the place was nicely populated, this show was so rad that it should've been packed to the brim.

The Verdict: When the Milestone throws a party, it truly is a party. Delicious food, great music, amazing people and creative themes rule the night and it is truly an experience not to forget. All the bands on the bill were equally impressive and I sincerely urge you to check them out. David Childers, Lesser Pauls and Aqualads play on a regular basis around town and Dan Sartain is bound to come through again. Keep your eyes peeled for dates but make sure to mark your calendar for the Aqualads CD release show at Snug Harbor on April 30. Warm weather, Snug Harbor's patio and their music will go hand in hand.

Lesser Pauls Setlist

Demon

Jesus

Sun

GFO

LYFM

Applesauce

Hands

Farm

Dan Sartain Setlist

Dust

Cobras IV

Drama Queens

Touch/Me

Prayin'

Whatchagonna do

Blue Prarie

Party

Finch

Hangers On

Fuck

Baby

Worst

PCB

Aqualads Setlist

Surf Surf Surf

Snake Eyes

Reef Rider

Tarantula

Curse

Surfin with the Sharks

El Spectre

El Barracho

Washout

Atlanticus

Phantom Point

Viento Del Sur

Church Key

Whirling Dervish