The Parson Red Heads ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth

The California sound is renowned worldwide. Slap on a few bright riffs and sunny harmonies and you can practically feel the hot sand beneath your feet. Last night at the Comet Tavern L.A.’s Parson Red Heads opened the Seattle leg of their Northwest residency happening throughout the month of February. I say the Seattle “leg” because, the band also has residency’s lined up through the month in Eugene at Sam Bond’s Garage, and in Portland at the White Eagle, where they return each week with a different set of openers. An innovative approach that I think has a lot of potential to pay off for a 60’s styled pop-band who has potential to appeal to a lot of different audiences.

((Low Hums)) opened the night, and in the environment the Comet Tavern and it’s new sound system, lead-singer Jonas Haskins’ Neil-Young-on-mushrooms vibe felt eerie and just right. In contrast to the opening set I saw at the Crocodile back in December where the sound was mush and the haze indistinct. The Comet now sound’s a whole lot better than I ever expected it would. If only we could get a few decent lights in there…

Zach Tillman’s Pearly Gate Music was back into full band mode, and full-on rock band mode at that. He never seems to play his songs in exactly the same way and this night was no disappointment in that regard. Hacking away at his nylon string guitar he delivered songs he’s been playing as a restrained singer-songwriter for the majority of the last year in frenetic bursts full of emotion. “Daddy Wrote You Letters” had the mad edge you’d expect, instead of the almost ironic delivery showcased on his myspace page. “Gossamer Hair” becomes a more perfect song each time I hear it, and this was the one moment where Tillman seemed to slow down and realize there was a room full of people quietly there for him. Yes, for him. His Barsuk debut remains my “most anticipated release of 2010.”

The Parson Red Heads will continue their residency at the Comet Tavern on February 11th with The Final Spins, Marty Marquis (of Blitzen Trapper), and Yarn Owl. It’ll be $7 at the door.

Pearly Gate Music ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth