Being on this side of the shores, I try to take advantage of as many shows as possible when I’m back stateside. On my last visit, I got to see Thao with The Get Down, Stay Down at the Black Cat in DC. This is a band I’ve been wanting to see for 2 years, but through re-scheduling and re-locating (by both parties), had not yet managed to do. So for me to finally get to see them in their hometown was nerdy-exciting. Were they as awesome as I thought they would be? Absolutely.
It was pretty easy to have fun, seeing as half the audience went to high school with Thao and were happily on their 3rd if not 4th PBR before the band had even started… it’s that kool-aid effect. But kool-aid aside, it was just a great show. On her own, Thao is a hilarious entertainer, even when she isn’t holding an instrument or beat-boxing. She’s also good on a guitar. Throw her a guitar and you’ve got fantastic, hilarious, musical entertainment and not a bad way to spend a couple hours.
We Brave Bee Stings and All (Kill Rock Stars) is their latest album and merits being mentioned here in this half-concert review, half-shout out. I wholeheartedly recommend this album to anyone but if you have to choose between spending your dollars at the record store and buying a ticket to go see them live, I would pick live every single time. Let me tell you why.
My favorite songs from the album were great live. The other songs from the album were also great live. And now when I listen to the album, I’m not sure how I didn’t like them all as much before.
Maybe I’ve drunk the kool-aid but lemme tell ya, it is DELICIOUS!
Need convincing or just more info: listen to a couple songs or check for concert listings here.
Born In Chinese 
Hey Cat…nice write up. Love the combo deal too – very creative!! =)