PHOTO by LONNIE NGUYEN

@ ALEX’S BAR
FRI | NOV 30

Another cold cozy smoky boozy Friday night at Alex’s, and familiar faces greet each other and duck to the bar quick-like for a tall can of PBR. In the house tonight is Don Caballero, and the music cognoscenti of Long Beach come out for the rare opportunity to host such nimble and clever musicians. Opening were locals Telomere Repair, laying out a tight set to start the night, but when Don Caballero starts all bets are off—everyone knows they will pound out the rock like it’s never belonged to anyone else. But . . . who are these guys? The line-up has changed, and it’s still as precise and measured as it’s supposed to be, but some necessary sonic part was missing. It isn’t that the band isn’t good—they’re great, and practically gods to anyone that knows the first thing about rhythm, but the show was lacking that holy-shit! factor. So let’s just be a little philosophical about it: To roll up Anaheim street and see longtime pals at Alex’s, have some drinks, smoke some smokes, shoot the breeze and end up watching Don Cab—things could be worse, my friends. Things could be worse.

Tags: alex's bar, don caballero, LIVE REVIEW