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Full-Tilt Slam

It's Sunday night. Little more than wind whips around the remains of the Festival of the Arts: a few drunks and strung-out vagabonds; porta-potties; ungainly street sweepers. A guy's yelling across the street as I enter the club. After a gaggle of Watusis fans dissipates, Bar Pink's pretty low-key.

The Unnatural Helpers are showing the effects of rolling — with sporadic gigs — down the coast from Seattle in four days. A full-tilt slam into "She Was Your Girlfriend" draws curious pool players and regulars toward the stage. The thin line of bodies thronging the front starts moving. Drummer-lead vox Dean Whitmore somewhat hoarsely shouts over the jerky four-four cacophony. Nearly ever song oozes with hooks seemingly rewoven from a bag of punk and post-punk influences. The flag sinks a few notches when the lead guitarist's cable dies; for a song and a half, the band looks a bit daunted before resuscitating with renewed ferocity. A fan screams after every song. The idea of covering a Television song is toyed with before three more high-octane numbers, ending with one quoting Sonic Youth's "Bull in the Heather" (among others): "Tell Me That You Wanna" could be a lust-sick male's response.

As the band packs up I ask UH founder Dean Whitmore how he hasn't lost his voice, having to project over such a glorious noise. After a response that could be an anthem for bands who've played without monitors, he adds, thoughtfully, "I use it to get things out."

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  • Concert: Unnatural Helpers
  • Date: May 16
  • Venue: Bar Pink
  • Seats: right, left, center

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It's Sunday night. Little more than wind whips around the remains of the Festival of the Arts: a few drunks and strung-out vagabonds; porta-potties; ungainly street sweepers. A guy's yelling across the street as I enter the club. After a gaggle of Watusis fans dissipates, Bar Pink's pretty low-key.

The Unnatural Helpers are showing the effects of rolling — with sporadic gigs — down the coast from Seattle in four days. A full-tilt slam into "She Was Your Girlfriend" draws curious pool players and regulars toward the stage. The thin line of bodies thronging the front starts moving. Drummer-lead vox Dean Whitmore somewhat hoarsely shouts over the jerky four-four cacophony. Nearly ever song oozes with hooks seemingly rewoven from a bag of punk and post-punk influences. The flag sinks a few notches when the lead guitarist's cable dies; for a song and a half, the band looks a bit daunted before resuscitating with renewed ferocity. A fan screams after every song. The idea of covering a Television song is toyed with before three more high-octane numbers, ending with one quoting Sonic Youth's "Bull in the Heather" (among others): "Tell Me That You Wanna" could be a lust-sick male's response.

As the band packs up I ask UH founder Dean Whitmore how he hasn't lost his voice, having to project over such a glorious noise. After a response that could be an anthem for bands who've played without monitors, he adds, thoughtfully, "I use it to get things out."

Sponsored
Sponsored
  • Concert: Unnatural Helpers
  • Date: May 16
  • Venue: Bar Pink
  • Seats: right, left, center
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Sponsored

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San Diego Reader 2024 Holiday Guide – like none other

Candle-making, tree lighting, pajama jam
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