Space 1520 is a welcome addition to the music venues in Hollywood. I suppose “venue” isn’t quite right, though, since 1520 is technically a complex of shops and galleries. But in the middle of it all is a cool outdoor area with a wide stage and sound rig. It’s simple and unpretentious, and a nice break from the musical dregs of the nearby Strip.
I imagine the open space would be ideal on a warm summer day, but last night’s chill didn’t deter a small, young-ish crowd from coming out on a Thursday night. (By the by,1520 is all ages, which is great; younger crowds always seem more enthusiastic about the music).
The cold air also didn’t deter Amateurs from delivering a typically lively set. Is it totally cheesy to say their warm brand of rock n roll swagger kept us all insulated?… Yes, yes I believe it is. For the uninitiated, Amateurs are a 5 piece, which might be an incidental detail for most line ups, but for them it’s worth mentioning, given the way they blend the instrumentation. Adding to the usual guitar-bass-drums trifecta are trumpet and pedal steal. For some rock bands, it’s tempting to use these as extra layers on top, but Amateurs stand out for fully integrating them into the songs.
Indeed, every song from the set sounded full, making even their most laid back rhythms feel confident and infectious. Listening to them, I was reminded of the best parts of 70s rock. “Groove” is a word I try to avoid, but I think it’s apt here. With touches of indie rock-guitar and bright, trumpeted melodies, their sound — and show — is definitely worth your time.
B. Soika
www.loudvine.com
Tags: Amateurs, Eventful Los Angeles, going los angeles, Hollywood, Indie, Indie Music, LA Music, LA Weekly, Live, Live Music, Loudvine, MP3's, Music Community, Music Network, music news, Shows, Space 1520, Weekly Calendar, Weekly Los Angeles, Weekly Picks
