Brock’s Adventures in California, Day 1: Blessed/Blessed

“Hi guys, come on in,” Rocky Votolato said as Gabe, Rebeckah and myself entered into the living room of the appropriately named Zac’s house. Before us stood Rocky at the forefront of a small, but devoted group of underground music fans. Despite being right in the middle of his set the musician paid no mind to the intrusion of his new guests. Instead, he flashed a smile and turned right back into his song (which was yet another viable conception of Rocky’s hushed energy). It was here, in the living room of a homeowner named Zac that we gathered to see Rocky Votolato and his good friends The Casket Lottery play one of their most entertaining and intimate sets in personal memory. The blue carpet and stucco walls was every bit an intricate distinction of the band’s show as was their songs. Warm and personable, this felt like a moment in time that had been set aside for The Casket Lottery and Rocky to play to their fans, minus the obnoxious detractors (mostly) and venue politics. Proceeding his quiet but insightful set (concluded by what he deemed to be a new song, Alabaster) Rocky stepped aside for the main event: The Casket Lottery. After a short break and the instruments had been set up Nathan Ellis and his band set forth to conquer the crowd. Starting off with their notorious favorite, What I Built Last Night, The Casket Lottery engulfed that living room with honored classics like Jealousy on Tap and new classics like Since You and Sick.

In addition to these amazing songs the band’s personable tone led to some interesting commentary by their frontman. “This next song is for Rocky” he declared before playing On the Air, “Because if there was any justice, he’d be on the radio and not the crap that’s currently being played on it.” At other times a fan would occasionally venture forth with a request. “I’m sorry,” Ellis offered after hearing a request for Six Different Ways. “We don’t do well with requests.” While the last show they had played in Phoenix had been nice, this night’s performance showcased the band in rare form. Seemingly free of any inhibitions, they tore through each song with a lively happenstance. They were an innocent band having fun and experienced musicians seeping proficiency in the same breath. Perhaps it was the setting, or the audience, or a number of other factors, but The Casket Lottery delivered a solid set. Energetic and intimate, it was a setting we all dream about seeing our favorite band play in. Earlier in the evening we had all discussed the possibility of Zac’s venue actually being a house in the middle of a suburban neighborhood. Implications aside, it was in its own little way their answer to an episode of MTV’s “Unplugged”. It was an evening with The Casket Lottery and Rocky Votolato in the living room of a quiet and pleasant home. They’re cursed by a self-serving music industry, yes, but this night proved that they were blessed in their own unique way as well.



Possiblies and Maybes:

Years of recording have provided The Casket Lottery with their own unique armada of fan favorites and covers. Now, after gathering some of their most infamously unknown hits together, The Casket Lottery presents their fan base with Possiblies and Maybes, a shinny new work that completes their catalogue. It’s here that we can listen to some of their infamous sonic achievements, such as Lost At Sea or A Priest Walks Into A Bar. Meanwhile, other songs like Unteen and Synchronicity II spout forth from being darkened shut-ins to newfound gems. All in all, Possiblies and Maybes is a perfect collection for the fan desiring completeness in all of us. Moreover, it’s a treat to new fans that want to trace the band’s career up to their current point. Well worth the purchase, Possiblies and Maybes rarely left my CD player while I was in San Francisco. I guarantee that you won’t be disappointed.