EL TEN ELEVEN Concert Review (SLO Brew)

“El Ten Eleven Es Numero Uno”
Written by Jason Reed
October 10, 2017

The always impressive El Ten Eleven put on a great show this Sunday at SLO Brew in San Luis Obispo, CA. As followers of Inner Edge Music know, I simply adore this band, so what follows is an admittedly biased review.

As noted in a previous article about the band (see here), the first time I saw them perform I was blown away and was eager for a chance at talking to Tim Fogerty and Kristian Dunn about their unique approach to music making. This last year that hope became a reality as I had the chance to sit down with the guys at their show at the Roxy for an insightful, in-depth conversation:

Opening up for El Ten Eleven was Sego, an energetic LA band that’s been getting an increasing amount of buzz in music circles. Formed by duo Spencer Petersen and Thomas Carroll, the band’s debut album (2016’s “Once Was Lost Now Just Hanging Around”) is an impressive oeuvre of observational introspection, with a charming balance of laid back vocals, catchy guitar hooks, and danceable rhythms.

Despite being hamstrung by the venue’s unduly restrictive 10pm curfew, El Ten Eleven plowed through a strong set of their most endearing songs, as fans danced, head bobbed and undulated to the percussive rhythms enveloping them. Kristian’s trademark skill in looping compelling bass and guitar hooks was on full display, as was Tim’s unrelenting, on point percussion. Highlights included fan favorites “Transitions,” “I Like Van Halen Because My Sister Says They Are Cool” and “My Only Serving.”  The band also performed the title track from their new EP entitled “Unloveable Love” along with a cover of Joy Division’s “Transmission” with Sego’s Spencer Peterson on stepping in on vocals.

I hate to put the band on the spot like this but I’ll say it for the record: El Ten Eleven is a band that is criminally overlooked in the general music press and deserves significantly more accolades than they have garnered in their career so far. Their music is some of the most unique, uplifting stuff you’ll ever hear on this earth. If you ever get a chance to see them, please do. Whether you end up loving them (as I do) or simply end up appreciating their distinctive aesthetic or technical approach to music making, one things for certain: you’ve never seen a band like them.

Be sure to check them out at www.elteneleven.com and be sure to order a copy of their excellent new EP “Unusable Love” while you’re at it. Also for more information on Sego, check out www.segoband.com.