by Marianne Meyer
It was billed as "An Acoustic Evening with The Airborne Toxic Event and the Calder Quartet" when the LA-based band appeared at the Sixth & I Historic Synagogue on September 7, but this was not a night of hushed tones and lullaby melodies. With an accomplished string section added to its own multi-instrumentalist quintet, ATE filled the beautiful space with a beautiful noise that was as powerful, and often as loud, as any traditional rock show the venue has hosted.
The band is comprised of Mikel Jollett (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Steven Chen (guitar, keyboards), Noah Harmon (bass, backing vocals), Daren Taylor (drums) and Anna Bulbrook (viola, keyboards, tambourine, backing vocals). By adding the Calder Quartet to this brief U.S. tour, the band is able to recreate some of the most dramatic and romantic moments from its self-titled debut album, originally released in 2008. (New music is being prepared for an early 2011 release.)
The band-plus-quartet tour has only a handful of dates left in September before taking off overseas but if you miss out, you can experience some of the ATE live experience in the upcoming documentary DVD/CD, "All I Ever Wanted: Live From Walt Disney Concert Hall," which captures the band with assorted guest stars - including the strings, a children's choir and a marching band! - slated for release later this month.
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