Cold War Kids kickoff string of shows

Southern California alt-rockers Cold War Kids released their first full-length album by permeating FM radio stations across the country with their hit single “Hang Me Up to Dry.” 

The release was in 2006, and it sparked a career that now includes three commercially successful albums and five EPs.

Cold War Kids will perform at 8 p.m. today at The Bluebird Nightclub. Tickets are $16.
“’Robbers and Cowards’ is one of my favorite albums of the past 10 years,” said Dan Coleman, the show promoter of Spirit of ’68 Promotions. “It’s just going to be a great show. Since 2006, they’ve been killing it.”

Last January, the band released its third full-length LP, “Mine is Yours,” which was a notable turn in the band’s sound towards stadium rock. The Bluebird is no stadium, but attendees can still expect a big audience.

“I would be very surprised if it didn’t sell out,” Coleman said.

Cold War Kids’ brand of alternative rock is not particularly fast or hard, but Coleman said its live performance still produces more than its share of stage energy.

“Surprisingly, for what their sound is, they are very animated,” he said. “Cold Ward Kids go for it on stage.”

Opening for Cold War Kids will be Young Man, the moniker for Colin Caulfield, a Chicago singer-songwriter with an story about breaking into the music scene.

In 2009, he began posting to the Internet a series of videos featuring him performing cover songs by his favorite indie artists such as Deerhunter and The Velvet Underground. His publicity grew and landed him a spot performing at Chicago’s Lollapalooza festival last August. 

Today’s concert is the first of three consecutive Spirit of ’68 shows this week, preceding “The War on Drugs” at The Bishop on Thursday and Dr. Dog at The Bluebird on Friday.

Tickets are still available at The Bluebird, at Landlocked Music or through ticketmaster.com.

- Steven Arroyo