Jason Falkner

Jason Falkner -  Spaceland – Silverlake, CA. – August 25, 2010

Although Los Angeles is the hometown for Jason Falkner, performances here are few and far between – so when it was announced he would be playing a mid-week show at Spaceland in Silverlake, three of the Highwire Daze staffers made appearances to see the show.  It is rare when all three of the Highwire Daze writers agree on anything, but Falkner is that one rare exception to the rules of musical engagement.

A veteran of the music scene, Jason Falkner had been in The Three O’Clock and Jellyfish before embarking on a much celebrated solo career.  He’s participated in other bands since then, such as The Grays and the glorious new wave dance outfit TV Eyes.  When the saying “Big In Japan” comes into play, it is at that locale of the world where Falkner has indeed found his biggest success.  His current solo albums have been released in Japan way before they made their way into domestic outlets here in the States.  That being said, the room at Spaceland in Silverlake, CA was packed to the rafters when Falkner and his band took to the stage late on a Wednesday night.

Jason opened the show with Honey, one of the top tracks from his breakout album Can You Still Feel?, released in 1999.  Up next was This Time, the lead-in track from I’m Okay, You’re Okay – his 2007 Japanese release that made its way stateside just earlier this year.  The focus at the beginning of the set was on the newer material, culled from both of the latest releases, including the aforementioned I’m Okay, You’re Okay and the Japanese only import entitled All Quiet On The Noise Floor.

Some of the top Okay tracks performed live included NYC, Komplicated Man, and Runaway.  The bewitching Emotion Machine was a definitive highlight of the All Quiet songs.  An impressive cover of the Be-Bop Deluxe classic Jet Silver and The Dolls Of Venus was also performed, impressing the true rock and rollers in the crowd.

For those who wanted to hear material from the Elektra years, Jason and his band did not disappoint in the least.  Hectified and Holiday were given absolutely stunning renditions, sounding just as fresh and exciting as when they were first recorded.  Before the encore, Falkner and his band performed 15 songs, closing out the set with a smashing version of a new tune entitled Evangeline – and the spectators still wanted a whole lot more!

The audience was treated to three final songs when Falkner and band returned to the stage, the first being I Don’t Mind, (which is actually the Japanese bonus track on I’m Okay You’re Okay), segue-waying into The Plan from Can You Still Feel?.  And then to end the night on a glorious note, the inspiring I Live from Presents Author Unknown (1996) had everyone in the crowd singing along and perhaps reminiscing about the very first time they heard that wondrous pop anthem.

Jason Falkner is surely one of the most underrated singer /songwriters of his generation – along with one of the hardest working and most respected by his piers.  He’s worked with everyone from Glen Campbell, Beck,  Lisa Loeb, to the legendary Paul McCartney.  At 42, he still looks like the young kid who joined up with an LA underground band named The Three O’Clock back in 1988.  Whether or not Falkner has encountered the Fountain Of Youth remains a mystery to all – but there is no denying that the music this entertainer has created over the years is nothing short of timeless.  If you want to see power pop done with passion and conviction, be sure to check out Jason Falkner the next time he plays in your town.

(Review and Live Photos by Kenneth Morton)

Jason Falkner on Myspace