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The Fresh & Onlys & Royal Baths played Shea Stadium (pics)

by Andrew Frisicano

The Fresh & Onlys

The Fresh & Onlys squeezed in a late-night Shea Stadium appearance on November 3rd, in lieu of the canceled second NYC date on their tour with Clinic (they were supposed to play the larger Music Hall of Williamsburg that night, and played Bowery Ballroom one night earlier).

At the smoky venue (someone always sees fit to light up half a pack inside, despite the outdoor terrace), the group delivered a tight post-midnight set on the heels of two of the best garage-pop sides of year – the August in My Mind EP and their new LP, Play It Strange. Both of those records showcase the band’s melodically focused songwriting, the first with swathes of lo-fi compression, and the latter with cleaner vintage production (steered by Fucking Champs’ Tim Green). Frontman Tim Cohen’s mystery-soaked baritone thrives on top of the surfy, atmospheric leads of Wymond Miles (who sports a mountainous beehive of a haircut live), and the rest of the band follows suit. The SF crew were at the top of their game, and hopefully they keep the momentum into 2011.

Joining them at Shea were the moody, menacing Royal Baths (a fellow Bay Area band), Golden Triangle-connected locals X-Ray Eyeballs and female-fronted pop group Dutch Treat.

A few more pictures from the show including 1 of the F&O setlist, with the few tour dates they have left, are posted below…

Dutch Treat

Dutch Treat

Dutch Treat

Dutch Treat

Dutch Treat

Dutch Treat

X-Ray Eyeballs

X-Ray Eyeballs

X-Ray Eyeballs

X-Ray Eyeballs

X-Ray Eyeballs

X-Ray Eyeballs

Royal Baths

Royal Baths

Royal Baths

Royal Baths

Royal Baths

The Fresh & Onlys

The Fresh & Onlys

The Fresh & Onlys

The Fresh & Onlys

The Fresh & Onlys

The Fresh & Onlys

The Fresh & Onlys

The Fresh & Onlys

The Fresh and Onlys – 2010 Tour Dates
Wed 11/17/10 Doug Fir Lounge Portland OR Clinic, Wax Fingers
Fri 11/19/10 The Independent San Francisco CA
Sat 11/20/10 Troubadour Los Angeles CA