Arts&Entertainment

LEFT: Bass guitar player for the band Cold War Kids, Matt Maust, performs at the Orpheum Theater on Sept. 21. The Cold War Kids formed their band in 2004 in Fullerton, CA. RIGHT: Lead vocalist Nathan Willett rocks out at the Orpheum Theater on Sept. 21. Cold War Kids signed with Downtown Records in 2006. (Photos by Amanda Ray) A night at the Orpheum with the Cold War Kids ne train shook east and one west across Beaver Street venue would be crucial, and there is no bar access without chorus to CWK’s “We Used to Vacation.” I promised to my wife as I made my way downtown. Unknown groups and flashing the colors under your sleeve. and children/ I’d never touch another drink as long as I live. Real- couples shivered in wait as the upcoming winter teased I walked into the main room of the venue as CWK singer izing I had neither a wife nor children, I ordered a tall boy PBR. Othe thinly dressed with a sneak preview of the weather to come. Nathan Willett’s words from our two-week-old conversation PAPA was the opening act. They started their set with lack- No one could hear over the screech of the rails, so we waited resonated through my mind: “We usually stay at that one ho- luster ditties and ended on the same note. Not to say it wasn’t in silence, humming whatever Cold War Kids tel in town.” As legend has it, he meant the Monte Vista, the good, it just wasn’t something one usually runs home to inves- (CWK) song we were most looking forward to. band’s preferred accommodation when in Flagstaff. I originally tigate on YouTube. I probably wouldn’t have even given their Then there was silence and we all headed north intended to check with the hotel to see if they were around for generic music a chance had the crowd not reacted so enthusias- of the tracks. a proper chat, but that didn’t matter now. I was here for the mu- tically. In the end, what really saved this band was their singer/ There was no line when I got to the Or- sic, along with the sizeable mass already waiting near the stage. drummer’s “Levon Helm Syndrome,” which disguised an other- pheum a short while before the opening band The bar was relatively empty. The drunks had not yet -de wise mediocre set list with a visually entertaining performance. was set to begin. My accompanying photogra- scended from their dives, wanting more booze. As I contem- I went out for a smoke between bands and got to chatting TOM pher met me at the door with a complimentary plated joining their ranks, the angel on my right shoulder re- with the patio security guard. His favorite bands included “The BLANTON press ticket. I flashed my ID and slapped on a minded me not to mix business with pleasure. Unfortunately, Beatles, Floyd and Zep,” a response which only worked to re- “21+” wrist band. Access to all corners of the the devil on the other had a megaphone and was belting the mind me of the real reason I was there: the music and the show.

34 The Lumberjack | Jackcentral.com