Some kind of monsters

I'm not going to pull some "I knew them way back when" since I don't really know the members of Monsters Are Waiting, but I have bought and reviewed all three releases they've put out (despite the fact that the core songs are identical) since happening to catch them opening for Ben Lee way down in Capistrano last year. I've even squeezed in a Top 5 from the singer, Annalee. Most bands--especially ones with huge publicists, goodie bags, and stuff--don't command that sort of attention. I'm smitten.


So when the Echo Park band returned from a tour opening for She Wants Revenge and Pretty Girls Make Graves to play a headlining gig at Safari Sam's, I had to go. The group has gone through a lot in the last few months, and evolved a little as a result. Annalee has some new moves, probably developed to fill the larger stages they've been frequenting. The guys are playing with a lot of understated confidence. More guitar effects, synth, and a dreamy light show, too--although the latter might be courtesy of Safari Sam's. There are also some new songs. One is Doors-like, with bass and keyboard providing a dark counterpoint to the ethereal vocals. The core is the same: dark, brooding, beautiful rock with new wave undertones. Besides odd animal sounds, the stage is thick with mood and intensity. Goths, shoegazers, and girl-band geeks can all get behind the sound and style. Who can't root for a band that sings "happy birthday" from onstage for a friend? One that powers through an hourlong set in a smaller club after headling big shows, even though members are sick?


Show-goers don't really go apeshit in L.A., and the one who did at last night's show got plenty of stares. But maybe they should have joined him. The next scheduled gig isn't until February in San Francisco. In the meantime, check out their songs you-know-where.