I've seen Quicksand all the way back to the days when they were playing under the name Moondog in the band's earliest stages in 1990. Though they've taken extended breaks from recording and touring, it's been a joy following their evolution throughout the decades.
The last time I caught Quicksand live was in 2017 at a venue called the Teragram Ballroom in downtown LA during the band's Interiors album, which was one of their last shows with guitarist Tom Capone in the lineup. While I dug their performance that night, it certainly wasn't one of their best gigs.
That brings us to this past weekend's 2-night stand at the famed Troubadour in West Hollywood. I hit the show with my wife Jenny, a longtime Quicksand fan. Heading into the night, I was especially excited since the New York outfit's latest release, Distant Populations, is one of my favorite albums of the year.
Featuring new addition Stephen Brodsky (Cave In, Mutoid Man) on guitar, Quicksand looked like they were having the time of their lives up there. But more importantly, the band sounded huge, laying down the fat grooves and dissonant melodies they are beloved for with pure power.
Most impressive was how many Distant Populations songs Quicksand played in their set, proving that their newer material can stand toe-to-toe with their classic era. Anyone already familiar with Brodsky's discography knows what the guy can do on guitar, but hearing him alongside guitarist vocalist Walter Schreifels, bassist Sergio Vega, and drummer Alan Cage truly showcased why Quicksand welcomed him into the fold. Quite simply, the quartet was on fire on Saturday night.
My wife and I walked away from the show elated with what we just experienced, and from the look on everyone else's faces that night, so did the rest in attendance.
Check out photos from both nights of Quicksand's weekend in Los Angeles courtesy of my friend Greg Flack below and make sure you catch them live if they come near you on this run.
—Carlos Ramirez (No Echo)
Quicksand @ The Troubadour in Los Angeles (October 16th)
Quicksand @ The Troubadour in Los Angeles (October 167h)
Quicksand tour dates:
10/18 – Phoenix, AZ @ Valley Bar
10/19 – Santa Fe, NM @ Meow Wolf
10/21 – Austin, TX @ Mohawk
10/23 – Houston, TX @ Studio @ Warehouse Live
10/25 – Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade (Hell)
10/26 – Charlotte, NC @ The Underground
10/27 – Washington, DC @ Black Cat
10/29 – New York, NY @ The Bowery Ballroom
10/31 – Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of The Living Arts
***
Help Support What No Echo Does via Patreon:
***
Tagged: narrow head, quicksand
