Jason Lytle @ The Art Theatre

Don't get me wrong. 

I think the Art Theatre is a great place to watch a show, and normally I like people and all shades of blue. The show this night though had me questioning my likes.

Jason Lytle, frontman for the disbanded Grandaddy, headlined the event. Since I'm hanging out with the District now, I was able to get my name on the "cool person" list. I arrived around 5 p.m., which happened to be too early and very uncool-like, but I thought I would get a chance to interview Lytle. That never happened. I found out most of his people were at a bar and he was skating. It actually made me happy to hear that. 

I saw him in an interview on the KCRW Web site, he seemed down and out. He made a comment about this solo project of his. He explained it as being an experiment, and he needs to see an end in sight. His tone, granted it was early in the morning, made me think he's burnt out. One of my questions to him was going to be about skateboarding and if he finds enough time to enjoy it. 

I wonder if he hit up El Dorado?

The scene inside was lazy, lazy and extremely blue. I figured that if I was plagued with random fits of depression, this atmosphere would have triggered a wrist-cutting spasm. The melancholy lighting pretty much remained throughout the show. 

I think it caused the severe lack of enthusiasm in the crowd, or maybe it was the absence of alcohol.

First up: Two Guns. 

They're a local band with a decent sound.

I remember there was an event I attended in high school, which was something similar to a Battle of the Bands, but this certain event was more of a talent fiasco. You know, one minute your two buddies are riffing on guitars and the next minute a tiny Asian girl is riffing harder on a violin. That sort of thing. I remember the crowd properly sitting in their seats, some with their hands folded over their knees. It seemed like most of the people didn't really want to be there, but they had to come out and support the children. These people would always let an uncomfortable amount of time pass before they started clapping at the end of the musical piece. 

I experienced that nonsense again this night. I was trapped in a room full of quasi-supportive parents.

The same behavior occurred for the next band, O's and the Oculist.

They're another local band, but they were producing 

a more trippy feel.

The atmosphere changed a bit when Lytle took the stage, but not by much. The band sounded great. I realized I was lucky to see him in such an intimate setting.

I interviewed a few people after the show. They were all stoked on Lytle's set. He peppered in some old Grandaddy hits with his songs from his new solo album "Yours Truly, the Commuter." If all goes as planned, my video will be posted on the District's Web site. 

I'll post a link when that happens.

Overall, the show was worth it, but I was definitely glad to go home after spending seven hours with the Art Theatre.