LIVE REVIEW: Telekinesis @ The Echo 2/24/11

February 28. 2011 | By Trina Starke

Telekinesis @ The Echo, Los Angeles 2/24/11

Battling tour-van troubles, Seattle band Telekinesis finally made it to LA to perform at The Echo on Thursday night. Frontman Michael Lerner is Telekinesis but while on the road he is joined by Jason Narducy (bass) and Cody Votolato (guitar). The trio are on tour to promote Telekinesis’ sophomore album 12 Desperate Straight Lines (Merge Records).

Playing on a drum-set front and center adorned by 70s icons Gumby and Pokey, Lerner kicked off his set with “You Turn Clear in The Sun” and continued for an hour playing tunes from both albums including “Coast of Carolina” and The Cure-inspired “Please Ask For Help.” Clad in a green-striped shirt and surprisingly sans his trademark thick-rimmed glasses, Lerner swapped roles with Votolato to play acoustic guitar for “Rust” but returned to his throne shortly thereafter, capping the night with “Tokyo.”

Telekinesis @ The Echo, Los Angeles 2/24/11

Telekineses joked about their jacked day, being broken down in a hell-hole town between San Francisco and LA. It was clear that the trio was spent but genuinely relieved to have made it and grateful to be playing for their LA fan base.

Telekinesis @ The Echo, Los Angeles 2/24/11

Now to get dirty… The Echo is a crap venue and how it continues to draw great talent is baffling. The sound quality is always sub-par and for Telekinesis it was no different. Between each song for the first half of their set, Votolato asked Mr. Echo Soundguy to adjust his levels: “…a little up please, back down please, mid-way of the last down please…” In addition, Lerner’s mic was too low making it a struggle to hear his sweet voice and charming Telekinesis lyrics.

If it weren’t for Telekinesis’ graciousness and good-faith effort this night would have been a bust but instead I’ll make every attempt to see them again in the future… just not at this venue.

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