Article and Photos by: Jason Robey

PHOENIX, AZ — The Valley Bar got a nice taste of California’s indie-rock scene on Tuesday night, when Hawai, The Gloomies and Vista Kicks launched their tour in Phoenix.

Hawai kicked the show off with a half-hour of their vibrant, upbeat original songs, starting with “Let You In,” from their debut E.P., Working All Night. The beautifully ethereal sounds of Jack Rose’s guitar with Matt Gillen’s keyboard were indicative of the beach-influenced rock that the evening had in store. Vocalist/rhythm guitarist Jake Pappas led the band through the set with his reverb-soaked lyrics, playing all four songs from their E.P., plus a few more.

Hawai, who claim Orange County as their official home, have been playing in different versions of the lineup for several years, under names such as J.Toven and Janu & the Walsharks. The band recorded their E.P. with Cold War Kids producer Lars Stalfors, who worked closely with the band and the structure of their songs. This reinventing of their sound sparked the name change to their current moniker.

Following a short break, Encinitas, CA band, The Gloomies, took the stage with a short instrumental introduction, leading into the title track from their recent debut E.P., Blackout.  In the span of 30 minutes, the band would play all the songs from the E.P., as well as their 7” single, LSD. According to vocalist / guitarist Andy Craig, tonight was the first time The Gloomies have been to Arizona. The crowd was happy to welcome them and their eerie version of the beach-rock sound.

Headliners Vista Kicks came out jamming on a Led Zeppelin riff, before bursting into their refreshingly poppy “Mona Lisa,” from their 2016 Chasing Waves E.P. Vocalist Derek Thomas danced around the stage throughout the band hour-long show, while the band made their way through the rest of the songs on Chasing Waves, as well as a couple new songs, and a beautifully delivered cover of David Bowie’s “Moonage Daydream.” This was also Vista Kicks’ first time to Phoenix. Thomas, as well as the vocalists in Hawai and The Gloomies, acknowledged the current heat wave in the valley, having reaching over 110 degrees that day.

All three bands delivered crowd-pleasing sets, as they embark on a tour together for the next few weeks.