Silversun Pickups Perform in…Charleston!

 

Wednesday, May 1 was a much anticipated day this year. My SC State classes concluded the day before so the end of the school year is near with final exams and final grading left to wrap up another year teaching college and college students- something I take great pride in doing and being part of a faculty. 

This band is one of my top five of all time! See my post here. 

May 1 this year was doubly special because that was the date for us to go to a concert at Charleston Music Hall by a band we both love, Silversun Pickups. 

The show was announced…when? Back in January maybe. I bought tickets right away and the date was circled on my calendar, you know, one of those dates you think will never arrive! Felt that way anyway.  

This was our first show at Charleston Music Hall on John Street and it proved a fine venue. The seating capacity is 965 so the vibe was intimate. I don’t know if it sold out but it was close. 

This “alt rock” band, formed in the Los Angeles area in 2000, has a strong following nationwide. We first saw SSPU in March 2020 in Asheville, N.C. at the illustrious Orange Peel. This show was just days before COVID shut down the world. 

Check out my post from that concert!

I’m glad Alesia found a nice souvenir shirt at the Charleston show. We have a poster in our office from the 2020 concert. 

In Asheville at the Orange Peel the crowd all stands. Knowing at the Charleston Music Hall we would be seated, prepared us for a more subdued experience. 

But the band was excellent, as expected. This is a tight group of talented musicians with a deep archive of catchy, driving guitar-driven songs. Here's a link to their origin story. 

“Lazy Eye” might be the band’s best-known song. It was released in 2006. 

Here’s my recording with my iPhone. 

Let’s Meet The Band! 

Brian Aubert- Lead Guitar, Singer, Songwriter 

Brian is such a talented guitarist and songwriter. And he carries the bands singing load too. He has it all and reminds me of Lindsey Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac fame. 

Nikki Monninger- Bass, Singer

Nikki is a big part of what makes this band special. She plays a mean bass, has a soft voice and looks great on stage. She’s the mother of twin daughters.

I recently came across on YouTube this biography of her. She’s a true “girl next door” success story! 

Christopher Guanlao- Drummer 

Chris is often a blur of kinetic energy on his drum kit. 

Like all four band members he was born and raised in the Los Angeles area. 

Joe Lester- Keyboards

Joe is from the Indio, California where today the massive Coachella music festival is held. 

Here’s another song from the show. This is “Circadian Rhythm (Last Dance)” released in 2015. 

One more clip. The band really jams here! This is “Little Lovers So Polite.” 

This was Silversun Pickups' first performance in Charleston. Hopefully it won't be the last! We had a great time! Except for how long it took to get out of the parking garage after the show…