Rob Walsh drags it out to report:

An accidental afternoon nap led to me waking up and desperately pedaling down to the Que Sera to catch Wednesday night’s ’secret’ loud rock show with Howlin Rain, Crystal Antlers, the West and CB Brand. I arrived to catch the tail end of the West’s spirited but ultimately ho-hum set (described by a friend as ‘Craigslist come to life’) and then grabbed myself a cool pale ale and prepared to watch the newly reformed incarnation of soulful Oakland quintet Howlin Rain. The band saw a considerable lineup change in 2006, with singer/guitarist Ethan Miller as the remaining member of the original. I was only mildly familiar with this band’s previous work, but if tonight was any indication, this renewed band was merely a mild set back. Howlin Rain plays balls-out rock very reminiscent of Little Feat with a vigor all their own. The band opened with the growling-bass stomp of ‘In Sand and Dirt’ and included the forceful keyboard barrage of ‘Dancers at the End’ among other cuts off their newest album Magnificent Fiend. Miller has a commanding stage presence to go with his vocals, and another joy is watching keyboardist Joel Robinow drive his fingers so hard into his Nord Electro 2 that it tilted halfway off the stand like a seesaw. Howlin Rain is an immensely enjoyable act, whether live or for extended hours out on Highway 1. I urge you to feel the power.

Also check out Ice Cream Man for awesome review and awesome photos of all bands!

Tags: howlin rain, LIVE REVIEW, local music, Long Beach, Music, que sera, the west