Staff Editor on September 25th, 2019

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Jail Weddings’ latest album might be called “Wilted Eden,” but the L.A. band’s release party Tuesday night at the Satellite had the feel of a tent-revival gathering.

There was the opening choir giving the spiritual start to the night in Honey Child. Opera-trained singer Claire McKeown took lead vocals and the backing choir provided the perfect harmonies. Their sound is crafted to provide an atmospheric experience, and their sheet music provided proof of the time spent on composition. Then, ramping up the energy were Oozelles (fka Fake News), the new project from Dante White Aliano (Dante Vs Zombies). He was like a kid in a candy store. He used every possible prop or body contortion to get the crowd into a frenzy: hopping on one foot across the stage, destroying a folding chair, repeatedly knocking his mic against a steel water bottle.

As with any tent revival, you need a charismatic finish. That was, of course, Jail Weddings and their punk/doo-wop sounds. Lead singer Gabriel Hart, referencing Jail Weddings’ hiatus from the Los Angeles music scene, repeatedly asked the crowd, “What have you been doing for the last six years?” Much of the set was spent with Hart out on the Satellite’s floor, singing to and bumping with the band’s fans. And maybe the fans’ absence showed, as some who went wild with Hart experienced some trips and falls.

As the night headed towards a conclusion, the band invited a couple former members to join in for a song. After a couple more songs, Hart stepped off the stage and headed directly to the merch table with fans following right behind him.

Jail Weddings setlist: Love Me Like I’m Dead, I Must Keep My Woman Happy, Father’s Eyes, (Can’t Wait to Get To) Nowhere, Face of Kindness, It’s Not Fair, Wilted Eden, Do Anything You Want To Me, Red Light Rhythm, Qualify of Mercy, Somebody Lonely, Do You Really Want The World?, Hard 2B Good, Happy Endings

Photos and recap by Notes From Vivace