It's a Transocular Life: Post Harbor - The Dunes

The club is black, with a recessed door and no signage. No wonder no one is here. I had the address number and that's the only reason I even approached the massive 15 foot door. A drum kit is set up, but no one is playing...except Freddie Mercury. Queen Live at Wembley is pumping through the sound system and is projected on the wall. I ask the guys if they've ever had Queen open for them. A remarkable night indeed.

An hour after the advertised showtime and there are ten others in the room. Considering the three bands on the bill tonight, I'm guessing that I'm the only one that's not a band member or a girlfriend.

Bombs Over You starts the night off with a slow, spacey number full of synthey fuzz guitar and double keyboards. The microphone stand progressed through various stages of rebellion throughout the set, but the singer stuck it out and handled the troubles well. During the last song of the set, a group of four in clever hats -- frog, dinosaur, red-and-white-striped waldo, and cowboy -- strolls into the bar. One's sporting a tutu as well and her behavior communicates the fact that they know Post Harbor.

Tonight's special on the sign is "Big Beer $4", which turns out to be a cheap American corporate beer (no names mentioned to preserve innocence) in what was at least a 25 oz mug. I pass. The not-as-big drink of the night is crushed ginger, ginger ale, and whiskey. A glance down the counter gets me thinking: The velociraptor with glasses at the bar worries me. Is he here for trouble? If I avoid eye contact, will I be fine? Eye contact? Which eyes: the human or reptilian pair? I go back to my drink.

Bombs Over You breaks stage loading protocol by talking to friends while slowly packing up instead of getting everything offstage first. As bonus points, however, the drum hardware is nicely stuffed into a golf bag to the amusement of those who see.

Watching Post Harbor set up is comical as well, but the band demonstrates the adaptability a touring band must have as it fits four keyboards, a full drum kit, three guitars, a cello, and a bass in what I'd guess is about 90 square feet. A Tetris game of musical instruments in front of us. I'm familiar with the music of Post Harbor, which is why I came out tonight. Bowing guitars as well as cellos, using drumsticks as guitar slides.