Audrye Sessions @ Hawthorne Theater

How many concerts have you seen where a band plays an orange traffic cone? Ska bands and Stomp don't count. None? I win. Although I couldn't really discern what it sounded like in the midst an epic climax. But that's the kind of creativity and energy that Audrye Sessions displayed at the Hawthorne Theater this weekend. This Bay Area band also incorporated a washboard and violin bow (for the lead singer's electric guitar) into their soaring alt. rock anthems. They sound a lot like early Radiohead with a more optimistic outlook, although the way the lead singer's voice turns the corner mid-word reminds me more of Travis' Fran Healy, especially on tracks like "New Years Day" and "Where You'll Find Me". I enjoyed the whole set, but the standout track was definitely the "Turn Me Off". It's just a sweet single.