Nico Vega is your newest favorite band. I know, I know… I hate hype too. When I first caught the buzz around LA about this up-and-coming local act signed to MySpace records, I blew it off. It’s hard to take things seriously in this town; every week there’s a new flavor you just have to try.
But through a series of convenient coincidences, I found myself at The Roxy one night with Antiquiet correspondent Ali and a video-camera-strapped Jeremy Azevedo, and Nico Vega was playing with the Von Bondies. We did interviews with both, and then checked out the show, and Nico Vega fucking blew me away.
Johnny Firecloud, Chris Laughter at Enjoy Human, and a ton of other friends had been telling me about this band, and once again, I was the last guy on the bandwagon. I foolishly expected some kind of shoegazing gyspy folk rock band for whatever inexplicable reason, but what I got was something like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, with a little bit of the Doors and Janis Joplin mixed in- the indie rock colored blue, if you follow me.
The next morning, I purchased Nico Vega’s entire discography from the iTunes Store, and their self-titled album has been in heavy rotation ever since. It’s solid, from start to finish. Our interview features a couple live clips- the opening and closing tracks of that album, respectively. The full clip of the latter, Beast, can be viewed on Antiquiet’s YouTube and Vimeo pages.
The highlight of their set for me personally was their performance of this volatile non-album track, entitled Jesus Baby:
More photos of Nico Vega, as well as of the Von Bondies, can be found on Antiquiet’s Facebook Page. Check out Nico Vega on MySpace here, and stay tuned for our interview with the Von Bondies up next.
Really?
I saw them open for the Von Bondies and they blew. No one seemed to enjoy them and I thought they were utter crap.
Oh well, can’t agree on everything.
WAY too similar to the Mars Volta, but lacking the insanity that makes them work. Its so close to being good, but not quite there.
Cocaine ain’t never cooked those brains, so much righteous noise from a mere 3-piece oufit. Rich is masterful and Dan covers a lot of space with drum fills. The first time I saw them live I stood next to Aja’s dad all night. I watched him watch her…and he looked so proud. Then she got her crowd surf on during “Beast”. The chick crowd surfed over her dad. He continued looking very proud. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNpBGqgEztc&feature=related)
Are you digging the original versions versus the re-recorded? It took me a while to get used to the album version of “Beast” because of the loss of the other verses which I thought were electric. Can’t wait for them to get their asses back home. Thanks for the full and beautiful in blue “Jesus Baby” which is that special treat in their back pocket.
Am I crazy cuz I see no Mars Volta resemblance here at all so the comparision is completely lost on me.
[...] real deal…and it’s rad to watch heads turn and ears perk up. Check out what the kids of Antiquiet have to say – and a sweet interview with the band! **photo credit for top photo, Erik Voake** Nico [...]
[...] More photos from the Von Bondies’ Roxy show can be found on Antiquiet’s Facebook Page. Our coverage of supporting act Nico Vega can be found here. [...]
[...] promising new(ish) band, so if you’re new to Antiquiet, do yourself a favor and check out the feature we did on them in March, featuring an exclusive on-camera interview and an incredible live performance of rarity Jesus [...]
I like the fact that bands like these are reinventing the traditional 4 piece guitar, bass, drums, singer format in rock. They have a great sound for a trio with no bass player.