Everest

Echoplex - November 18, 2008

Live Review by Amber Henson

Photograph by Dominic Disaia

Is it just my imagination, or are bands getting bigger these days?  Both Everest and their opening band, The Henry Clay People have six members in their bands (albeit just for live shows), something that used to be a novelty, but now seems to be rather normal.  Well, I suppose as long as they’re making good music, I’ll allow it.

Listening to the last few songs of The Henry Clay People, the words "Jimmy Eat World" came into my head - not necessarily because they sound like them, but the intensity at which the songs were sung and played reminded me of them.

Eventually, those clay people left the stage and Everest came up to set up their stuff, quite late, but that’s how 18+ nights are at the Echoplex (apparently they try to keep on schedule better for all-ages nights as to not screw with the city-wide curfew for teenagers).  Before they came on, the screen behind the stage displayed a snowy mountain (“’Cause their name is Everest” my friend sarcastically drawled to me) and the regular lights came down and the black lights came up.  I had a brief thought of "What have I gotten myself into?" before the genial-looking band took the stage and lead singer Russell Pollard crooned to the audience.  I felt even more at ease when I noticed the cute piano-like instrument was covered in a fabric with a tree-and-bear pattern and Christmas lights.

On the fourth song, the band brought out The Watson Twins to sing and swing with them (the twins did a matching back-and-forth shuffle, backup dancer style, when not singing).  Also, it’s not possible to be more indie than those Watsons, with their tight black high-waisted pants, fringy scarves, and bangles (they weren’t totally matching, but damn if they weren’t close).

Overall, Everest’s performance gave off the feeling of watching your friend’s band perform in the nice cozy basement of their parent’s house.  They’re good, and both they and The Henry Clay People deserve those spots on Neil Young’s current tour.