Girlbandgeek Blog

Cry Babe performs at Sub Rosa collective in Santa Cruz

Today’s mini-review from my concert backlog is Cry Babe, Suzie True, Chaotic Futch & Eve’s Peach at Sub Rosa. Date of this show was January 20, 2020. I mostly showed up to see Suzie True, a DIY trio from Los Angeles that I reviewed in these pages here.

Sub Rosa is a tiny DIY space and half the audience are members of the other bands on the bill. Chaotic Futch had already finished when I got there. Eve’s Peach were up next. I had seen them open up for Diet Cig previously and was not impressed. They were better tonight. They are dorky, but having fun.

Suzie True put on a fun and energetic performance. Suzie True is Lexi McCoy on bass and vox, G Leonardo on guitar and Sarah Pineapple on drums. They are bratty and spunky and fun to see live! They played songs from the 2018 EP Nothing to You, as well as Saddest Girl at the Party which would come out later in 2020. Suzie True is on tour now, so go catch them in person if you can.

Cry Babe was the last band on the bill. Cry Babe’s line up is Anaïs on vox, omnichord and guitar, Madeline on bass and vox and Rose on drums. They were sonically interesting and well worth seeing live. Anaïs had great energy and a gorgeous, soaring voice. I had no idea what the curious electronic instrument that she played was, but have now figured out it was an Omnichord – really a kind of toy instrument with buttons to play chords, and a touch plate to play strings. Anaïs used it to good effect while Madeline and Rose set up throbbing drones on bass and drums. It was reminiscent of Sonic Youth. They no longer seem to be active which is too bad.

Suzie True performs at Sub Rosa collective in Santa Cruz

The Aquadolls on stage at the Catalyst

Hey folks, it’s another review from my backlog. Today’s performance for your consideration is The Aquadolls at the Catalyst Atrium in Santa Cruz. Date of this show was December 11, 2019. The Aquadolls are an adorable and rocking surf punk trio. They do a great, feel good live show. Go see them if you ever get the chance!

Openers Idle Joy were pretty good. Kinda Grateful Dead sound, but tight. And the singer was quite good. Next band, Getaway Dogs, was not so great.

The Aquadolls were pretty much magic from the moment they appeared on stage. The drummer Jackie got us all riled up before the first note. I really like how all three Aquadolls interacted with the crowd, and got a chance to sing.

Songs:

Guys Who Sk8
Miss World (Hole Cover)
Sick Sad Motherfuck
Bleached
Communication is Sexy
Cigboi
Hollywood
I’m a star

The Aquadolls were just on point, and cute as bugs. Their energy and presence is so good live. Melissa did most of the singing, but all three sang. Sound was kinda surf punk. They can really rock out but they also have some great slower numbers. The audience showed them a lot of love. There was a cadre of 10 super enthusiastic women up in front that were having a great time, dancing and moshing which energized the performers. Very feel good experience.