Dramarama – at Pershing Square – Los Angeles, CA

I didn’t even know they did free outdoor performances out in downtown Los Angeles at Pershing Square, but when I heard news of a special birthday party show for guitarist Mark Englert of Dramarama, I couldn’t really pass it up.

I made it to the outdoor venue to see people still on the ice rink skating, a funnel cake stand, and a very sparse crowd. I guess the word did not really get out on this but by around 9pm the group made its way on stage. They were introduced by an older woman who said they had been trying to get this band to play there forever. “This band is coming to melt your faces this evening….Dramarama!”

It was weird to hear an older lady say this and even weirder to see the couple next to me with a child on a leash and another that was in diapers, but the weirdest moments were to come later. When singer John Easdale came out, after the band had brought the snow melting guitar intros, in his signature black sunglasses I was ready to get to show. Even though it was evening those glasses would never come off. True rock star fashion.

The set was packed with older songs and a few new tracks with one coming up on a forth coming album. I know they had that release in 2005 (which I have not listened to so I can’t judge it) but I will while catchy the song seemed nothing like Dramarama. The new songs were lighter with a more positive outlook. Easdale even played the acoustic guitar along with one of them. I am indifferent on it as it was unexpected and just different.  I am sure everyone in the band has changed with all the time between records and being broken up for an extended time, but the new songs felt out of place with the classic material.

The night wasn’t complete without a few technical difficulties. All vocals were shut off during a song and the band all chimed in to try to scream the vocals out. While the guitars and backing band all seemed to be together and tight, Easdale’s vocals were just tired. It could be age, it could be all the booze and cigs, but all the vocals were stressed and lyrics were missed in songs.

Chugging a Tab soda John explained, “I gave up the booze… but I still partake in a cigarette every once in a while….but its not 23 a day…” and with that the band broke into Last Cigarette. I sat waiting for him to take a puff or for someone to throw a cig on stage… but nothing. Maybe the audience didn’t know, maybe there were no smokers, but this just added to the night being off.

The set would end with the classic, and most well known song,” Anything, Anything”. Many had been waiting the entire night for this song, especially the kid that would yell after every song , “play your famous song”. By the time the song got to the mid way point we were told to sing the end as, “I can’t hit those notes anymore”, and he was right. He couldn’t hit them and neither could the crowd.

For nostalgia purposes I had a great time but that is it. The singer went out and shook everyone’s hands after the show and it almost seemed like a final good bye.  After catching this performance I have to say there may not be many cigarettes left for this group.
 

 

Carl Pocket
Big Wheel Music Scene Reporter

 

More photos of the show can be seen HERE

 
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