The French Kicks, Dios (Malos) & Julius Airwave

New York’s indie rockers The French Kicks made their way over for a special eight date West Coast tour to support 2004’s Trial of the Century. Along for all dates of the tour were Hawthorne, California’s Dios (Malos) and Jacksonville, Florida’s Julius Airwave, who were on their first West Coast tour. The French Kicks’ show at San Francisco’s small but intimate venue, The Bottom of the Hill was the first California show for the tour. Fans from all over the Bay Area gathered, nearly selling the show out that night, so the band’s visit was much anticipated. There were many Dios fans in attendance that night and many who were very curious about the relatively unknown Julius Airwave.
The show began at 10 PM with Julius Airwave, who played a 45-minute set of songs off their latest Dragons Are the New Pink. Staying within a very low key and mellow in their performance, songs like “Crumbs” and “Broken Tusk” seemed to leave the audience disengaged and unmoved. Rick Colado, vocalist and guitarist, sensed the audience’s anxiousness for the main act and reminded them that they only had a few songs left to play.
Dios took the stage next. The band toured in support of their self-titled debut album in 2004 with Grandaddy and had decided to set out on the road once again, but this time without Kevin Morales, guitarist and occasional singer. Playing harmonic tunes like “Starting Five” and “Nobody’s Perfect,” the mood of the show was perfect until an uncontrollable fan climbed onto the stage and spilled beer all over the Dios’ equipment. For the remaining time, the band was visibly worried about the condition of plugs and keyboards that had been splashed with beer.
When The French Kicks got on stage and opened the set with “One More Time,” the audience let loose and enjoyed the music. Nick Stumpf, singer and keyboardist (also former drummer), had an enormous stage presence that took everyone in the front row by surprise. Nick towered above the audience and often leaned over and looked into the crowd as he sang many songs off The Trial of the Century. Their sound was clear and crisp, except for a one faulty amp that guitarist Matt Stinchcomb had to kick every once in a while get it back on track.
The French Kicks’ performance never lost momentum and had many memorable moments, especially when the band performed a polished and flawless cover of New Order’s “Regret.” Time did not allow for a satisfying encore but the show did end with a bang thanks to “Close to Modern,” off of 2002’s One Time Bells. Despite the earlier audience disconnection and clumsy accidents, The French Kicks brought life back into the show.

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