Over the Weekend: Cat Party on Saturday at Gypsy Lounge, Lake Forest

The Hype: With The Sockets, Des Roar, and Cat Party all making an appearance Saturday at the Gypsy Lounge in Lake Forest, how could you not been giddy?? Not to rub it in, but the place was seriously packed! I'm talking sardines people!

Ali Lerman

Cat Party

OC natives the Sockets also took the stage and in case you're unfamiliar, this quartet is a self-described "power pop group inspired by the British mod movement and New Wave." Ha! That sounds boring. And boring is NOT at all how I'd describe The Sockets. Sharply dressed (for a band, at least), the Sockets debuted their new song "It's Not Enough," which I can only describe as superb. The crowd especially loved Unite Tonight, and united this talented group is with a contemporary feel all their own.

The audience pretty much went ape shit when New York band Des Roar started playing. Why so many fans in Lake Forest? With a couple of Cali natives in the group they not only brought an incredible following but they also made the venue more spectacular with killer sounds and an amazing female drummer who played hard and still sang beautiful while harmonizing on "Not Over For Me." On a side note; "Ted Bundy was a Ladies Man" was a personal favorite. Funny--albeit in a sick way--title and awesome song.

The Crowd: Big sounds, big guitars, and a big ass party at the Gypsy Lounge. Tonight's theme must have been "big" because the crowd lasted until the wee hours of the morning. I am pretty sure all three bands gained new fans tonight. All three different but all excellent and the crowd appreciated it from start to finish. 

Overheard: "I'd give Cat Party a 9.5," said the guy behind who is apparently practicing for his spot at the judging table in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

Setlist (Cat Party):

1. Tar & Feathers

2. Heartache Over Headache

3. Estrogen, Milk, and Honey

4. Further Into the Ordinary

5. Dead Wait

6. Oblong Blue

7. Broken English

8. Digital Age