rock and roll hotel: say hi to your mom

Say Hi to Your Mom is, like Bright Eyes, a one man band. Tonight, Eric Elbogen took the stage alone, his guitar accompanied by drum machine sounds emanating from what seemed to be a computer.

All in all, a good show. But the "band's" strength is layered indie pop, something that's tough to do alone. Most of the songs sounded a bit thin, though Elbogen offered plenty of energy while playing and the crowd (of 40 or so) seemed pretty into it for most songs.

The show also might have been better had two drunkards not spent half the set talking loudly about how Say Hi to Your Mom is not, in fact, Blink-182. Good to know. During one sing Elbogen was singing at a slower pace than on the album, catching the drunks braying lyrics before their time. During another, the drunks were talking so loudly so close to the stage that Elbogen started laughing at them.

After the show I gave Elbogen $10. I so enjoy his music and I wanted to make sure he was properly compensated for it. He seemed a bit bewildered by the gesture, but took the money nonetheless.