This is relijun

My friend Aaron is in town with his band, Old Time Relijun. Last night I dropped by The Echo after soundcheck and had dinner with him at El Rodeo across the street. The Mexican food was just okay and maybe a little overpriced (should have walked to Burrito King), but it was great to catch up with him and meet his brother Ben, who joined the band somewhat recently.


Old Time Relijun didn't go on until midnight, so I played a lot of Tetris while four openers (way too many) did their thing. When it was OTR's turn, Arrington got the crowd's attention with some Tuvan throat singing and the band went off. As a four-piece, they sound great with Ben's sax, and the new drummer (Germaine from Friends Forever) rocks, too. I actually prefer the live show to the CDs, because it's more animalistic. Seriously.

The band has advance copies of the new CD with them, and I listened to the first couple songs on the way to work this morning. They seem to have crossed a border from hillbilly stomping to Ethiopian jazz with a little bit of casbah rocking. Great stuff, and you should check them out if you get a chance. Tonight they're playing with Mr. Tube at The Smell. Then they head north....