Mr. Beast

Animal Hospital is Kevin Micka. He makes music with a guitar, drum set, an assortment of pedals and some looping and sampling gear. I've seen a few acts with similar modus operandi; Collapsing Opposites and Fursaxa come to mind - there are others (like Zaimph, who I saw with Fursaxa and others in August 2005). That doesn't mean he sounds like them though. His stuff was more post-rock.

A man and his gear.



Knob-twiddling action!





Things were running a bit late so he did two songs and left the stage to do Beirut's sound.

• Show reminder: The New Pornographers, Immaculate Machine and Novillero perform at the Capital Music Hall; The Feminists, Kincaide, Stoic Kid and Flatlined play Zaphod Beeblebrox.

Feast of wire

Beirut 's primary influence is Balkan Gypsy music. I hear some of their locale - Albuquerque, N.M., - as well. The band's debut album is almost entirely the work of Zach Condon, but he's touring with a group of other folks. He also has a soundman, one Kevin, who doubles as the opening act under the name Animal Hospital.

I've seen a bunch of solo-with-looper acts lately. Kevin dispensed with the vocals and offered up some post rock instrumentals. It was pretty good and very brief.



Here's Zach (at right) and one of several bandmembers who I am striving to match a name too.



They ended up playing in the audience.



I think everyone agreed it was a lot of fun.

• Show reminder: Akron/Family and Born Ruffians perform at the First Baptist Church. Kingston Fog, My Architects, Approaching Zero and Lucky Ron play Zaphod Beeblebrox. The Cat Empire and Hayley Sales perform at Barrymore's.