PHOTO by JENNY STOCKDALE

@ ALEX’S BAR
SAT | AUG 11

Usually, a band’s very first show is marked by a certain level of charming incompetence. It’s a little known rock & roll fact that even Beethoven flubbed a few glissandos during his first live performance—for which he was roundly beaten. Occasionally though, a group is able to resist the urge to book a show the second they’ve come up with three song titles and a bass line. Instead, they take the time to work hard in the practice space so that by the time they debut, their friends are able to say, “No, you were REALLY good.” And they actually mean it. Such was the case with Maubach, who opened for Blank Blue at Alex’s. It doesn’t hurt that two of the members of Maubach have been in other bands (Dance Disaster Movement and the Holy Scares), but there was an undeniable excellence to the music that was pleasantly surprising. Lead singer/keyboardist Kayt seemed a little hesitant with the microphone, but by the last song, her vocals washed over the room like Beth Gibbons had she sung for a 4AD band. Drummer Matt took a rhythmic tour of the kit and an incredible-sounding drum pad, while guitarist Darryl provided shimmering background texture, making the whole thing sound like Gibbons fronting the Cocteau Twins featuring Radiohead’s drum programmer. Maubach is the best Long Beach band that 4AD never signed.