LOS ANGELES, CA- When I first heard “Feel Your Feelings Fool!” (The Regrettes’ debut studio album), I was eager to see this young band perform live. It was an album that was raw, edgy and catchy. The “home-studio” sound of the tracks did nothing to detract from the undeniably good songwriting or from the magnetic charisma of the groups’ lead singer, Lydia Night. I thought I’d have the chance to see them rock a stage at The Growlers 6, but that performance was unfortunately cut short.
Celebrating the release of their most recent EP, “Attention Seeker”, The Regrettes let their fans know through social media of a private EP release show at The Bootleg Theater that they could sign up and enter to win tickets for. As fate would have it, I was able to attend this gig.
By the time I arrived at the venue – thirty minutes prior to doors opening no less- a venue capacity line was already eagerly waiting to get in. As soon as the doors opened the intimate Bar Stage room at the Bootleg was packed shoulder to shoulder. As I scanned the room, I saw faces both young and old. Two sisters who were standing next to me at the front of the stage were aged 13 and 16. They waited in line for over an hour and half so that they could occupy prime real estate to watch their favorite band do their thing. Their mother was also in attendance, but she opted to hang out in the back. Two young college gents were behind me, and they had trekked in from Arizona just to catch this show. Now, that’s some dedication.
When the house lights dimmed, and Prince’s “Let’s Go Crazy” sounded through the house speakers, the anticipation in the room intensified. In the darkness, the band took the stage and as soon as Max launched into the drum lead-in of “I Don’t Like You”, the room released this unreal wave of positive, joyful energy. It’s the kind of feeling you can only get when you’re surrounded by truly loyal fans who can nail every lyric with the band in a packed room that can only hold 150 people.
Feeding off the energy in the room, Lydia, Genessa, Sage and Max roared through a twelve song set (plus two encores) which included the two new recordings on the EP, “Come Through” and “Red Light”. Lydia’s stage presence was exceptional. Whether she was encouraging the crowd to start a mosh pit or jumping into the crowd to let fans sing along into her microphone, she engaged the audience in a truly memorable way that will surely be the highlight for many of the young fans in attendance for years to come. And while she could have simply let the feminist punch of her lyrics do the speaking, she took a moment before the performance of “Seashore” to give the current administration a nice little scolding. Regardless of your political leanings, you have to give this teenager props for having the fearlessness to let her thoughts and feeling be known.
In looking to the future, I’m super excited to hear how The Regrettes’ next album evolves sonically. If “Come Through” and “Red Light” are any indication, it’s my predication that the high production value and careful mixing (I absolutely love the levels of Sage’s bass-line in “Come Through”) is going to push The Regrettes music into uncharted territory.
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LIVE CLIPS
The Regrettes at Bootleg Theater 2/22/18. Thoughts and photos coming soon to @BlurredCulture. pic.twitter.com/DXnkkCWTVT
— Derrick K. Lee (@methodman13) February 26, 2018
The Regrettes at Bootleg Theater 2/22/18. Thoughts and photos coming soon to @BlurredCulture. pic.twitter.com/wOK9oB0m6F
— Derrick K. Lee (@methodman13) February 26, 2018
The Regrettes at Bootleg Theater 2/22/18. Thoughts and photos coming soon to @BlurredCulture. pic.twitter.com/PGIMGOHQfM
— Derrick K. Lee (@methodman13) February 26, 2018
