Noise Pop: Picture Atlantic and Stomacher @ Bottom of the Hill 2/25/10

If you’ve just exited a cave, you’ll be happy to know that NoisePop is happening, and every bay area blog is covering the shit out of every show. The Owl is going to be honest with you for a moment – we can’t cover every show.

Hell, we can’t even cover who IS covering every show. We just know that there’s a ton of good bands here, and the folks over at NoisePop have done their homework and have picked some damn good bands.

Last night, I went to cover bay area indie bands Picture Atlantic, Stomacher, and the reunion show of FAR at Bottom of the Hill. Either these bands have quite the fan base, or everyone is really excited about Noisepop this year – as most shows are SOLD OUT. After walking in and hearing the first few minutes of Picture Atlantic – it’s damn easy to understand why this one was.

San Jose band Picture Atlantic played a Benders Happy Hour during last years Noise Pop with SF boys Scissors for Lefty,  and I’ve been a fan ever since. Honestly, I didn’t think it was possible for PA to represent any harder than they did with their first impression last year – but these driven south bayers are killing it. Solid Songs. Solid Entertainment, and a refreshing ray of Radiohead meets Tori Amos. Yeah, it’s THAT interesting, catchy, and new. Go pick up Kleos to get acquainted – and pumped for their new EP that’s coming out 4/24.

Stomacher is an east bay band that I don’t quite know much about, but I like it that way. It’s tough to follow the energetic boys of Atlantic, but the torch was passed smoothly. The 4 piece post-pop-indie-avant-garde (you like that?) would be hard to confuse with any other band in the bay area – as it’s the first time I’ve heard falsetto that I wouldn’t mind doing a few dirty things to. Go ahead and check it out for yourself and get some free Stomacher tunes.

AND FAR. Honestly, I didn’t stick around for the reunion. I hope it went well. Don’t be mad at me (us) for doing that. I was just so full of indie tunes with these other bands that I’m not sure I could’ve handled any more.

Wrapping it up – If Picture Atlantic and Stomacher are signs of tunes to come, the Bay Area has quite the future in store. Make sure you check out our other reviews of NoisePop events  – especially those covering the local artists that kill.