City Museum, soon to become an artifact

Kevin Bronson on June 18th, 2010

1

File under Personal Memorandums: City Museum were never much of a threat to be next-big-things – except at co-founder Jeff Miller’s annual backyard party – but like a lot of Los Angeles bands piloted by people from all walks of life, they embraced their music with passion, humility and humor. With singer-guitarist Kevin Flinn moving away, the band is calling it quits, so I thought I’d tip my cap to them today. Miller is a friend, an occasional contributor to this blog, a fine writer and a rather indomitable spirit with an appetite for everything from jam bands to indie rock to “The Big Lebowski.” He, Flinn and a couple buddies from Ithaca College founded the band five years ago, made two EPs (the first of which, “Motel,” I can recommend without reservation) and played dozens of gigs around town, none more fun than the backyard Citystockfestaroo (or something like that), which over the years featured the likes of the Henry Clay People, Pigeon John and Casxio. One of my favorite parts of City Museum’s sets was the song “Indie Rocker,” an ironic poke at at the irony-laden pose of making (and liking) music, with lyrics that Miller changed every performance so he could skewer the hipster favorites du jour. (The version streamed below was recorded live when the band played Lebowskifest in 2006.) Tonight the band will have its “Final Exhibition.” Good luck, guys. Keep loving it.