Owens Valley Dynamite from Los Angeles opened at Amnesia on Saturday night. For a group playing their third show ever, they did just fine. The short set was made up of light, poppy, melodic rhythms and catchy lyrics. They favored three chords repeatedly throughout the set, changing the order in a way that’s typical of old crust punk. However, they were not punk at all. By the fourth song it was hard to tell the pieces apart.
Early on, the small crowd of about 20, eager to hear music, consisted of a few suit jacket-wearing professionals, a couple of college students, and members of the bands due up later.
Beer, wine and cocktails are served, but don’t ask for a shot of whiskey because the service becomes twice as terrible and there is no whisky. Strangely enough, no alcohol is served other than cocktails, beer or wine.
Next up was Seth Pettersen. With two members, the band had a full, colorful sound. With layers of interesting backup vocals by the drummer over the guitarist/singer, the duo captivated the listeners, who moved closer to the stage.
The set was engaging and enjoyable enough to ignore the uncomfortably packed venue. However, by the time Rad Cloud got on stage at 11 p.m., it was clear that things were only going to get hotter and tighter.
Welcome to the bar with no manners. If you left your drink at the bar, three-quarters full and covered by a napkin — indicating that you were stepping out for a smoke — forget about finding it upon your return. That’s an unacceptable scenario at a bar.
Rad Cloud looks like a dysfunctional family, with a bassist old enough to be the father — if not grandfather — of the rest of the group. The drummer has, well, unusual energy singing backup vocals. The guitar player/singer came off as over-confident, and for no reason maintained a silly, forced smile.
The music was utterly unimpressive and seemed to be more of a background sound than an actual show. At this point the place was packed with random people, some just stopping by on a bar crawl only to wait in line forever to discover that there’s no hard liquor.
With people leaning against each other as though in a sweaty mosh pit, nasty looks from patrons tired of waiting for their drinks, and a drink order that never came, it was time to leave.
However, determined to get my $10 worth, I stayed through Rad Cloud’s set and even waited the extra half hour while Little Wings, the last act of the night, took their sweet time setting up in front of a frustrated and seemingly sober crowd.
It’s clear that the big sign behind the bartenders that reads “Be nice or leave — this is a grown folks establishment” does not apply to anyone working here.
From the guy at the door who collects your money with an attitude suggesting that you owe him that money, to the two bartenders hurrying to serve a pretty lady instead of some guy waiting long before her, no one was nice, nor did they act like grown folks.
But hey, it’s Amnesia, the place with a staff that clearly forgets its own mission.
yes, I agree w/ the other 2 commenters, it sounds like you had an off experience.
I think that the bar likely didn’t take your drink, more likely a scruffy young drunk took it….it has happened to me….
generally everyone there is friendly, and although it’s not the Chameleon, Amnesia is a nice asset to a neighborhood that is becoming more and more overrun with yuppie bars and restaurants.
Not my experience either. I get warm greetings, kind people, great bluegrass/country/folk music when I go. Their beer selection is also incredible. So, they don’t have a hard liquor license. That’s not a big deal in a venue with such character.
Not my experience at all! Sounds like it was your first time there and maybe you didn’t click around to see what the place was about before you went – hence your multiple surprises? If it WAS your first visit to this nice little Mission gem-of-bar then that may not be enough for a review of the place. But of you had a bad time then you had a bad time – there’s no arguing with that. BUT, Amnesia serves a lot of different little sub-cultures and music-cultures throughout the week and I highly recommend making a few more visits at different times.