Birdmonster and the Don’ts

We went to the Elbo Room last night to see Birdmonster and The Don’ts. While watching Birdmonster tear up the stage, I had an epiphany about the San Francisco music scene. Sadly, this town feels very lackluster when it comes to local music. I think it has something to do with confidence. There are few decent venues in the city for beginning bands and the audience in San Francisco just plain sucks. They like music but they stand there, stiff as boards, no matter how rockous the music is, the most you get out of them is a toe tap and a head bob, All this has got to wreak havoc on band’s egos. Birdmonster, among other things, have seemed to overcome boring crowds. I honestly think they are having too much fun to give a damn. Are maybe they are just overly confident. Whatever it is, it works. They exude confidence and pride in their music. They aren’t cockey, they are just solid. They goof around, they don’t take themselves to seriously, and they rock out. They rock out so hard, they eminate this sort of odor of human potential. When you look up at them, you can’t help but think about your own potential. An awkward, self conscious, stiff, nerdy guy was standing next to me. At the beginning of the show, he was stuff and uncomfortable. By the end of the show, he was swinging his hips and his body seemed to have claimed more personal space.