Silversun Pickups Return Home to Rock Hollywood Palladium With Nefarious Intent

Matt Corkill

In support of their new album “Better Nature” the Silversun Pickups tour continued with a hometown show alongside alternative bands A Silent Film and KIEV at the Hollywood Palladium Saturday night.

Brian Aubert (guitar, vocals) along with Nikki Monninger (bass), Joe Lester (keyboards), and Christopher Guanlao (drums) played like the seasoned veterans they are with the attitude of a local Los Angeles band playing their very first gig.  Laughing and joking with each other through the night,  Aubert and Monninger both had smiles that would not quit as they hopped and rocked around the stage.  

Opening with “Cradle” the crowd ignited as SSPU then led into “The Royal We,” “The Pit,” “Panic Button,” “Nightlight” and “Lazy Eye” before coming out for the encore which ended with the crowd screaming for more. Over the next hour and a half SSPU did not disappoint. Aubert shredded around the stage and onto the amps during solos and Monninger dazzled as she took the lead on “Circadian Rhythm” and others.   

In between every few songs Aubert poked fun at Nikki with a “speaking of weird, that’s Nikki over there” line while also appreciating how incredible it was to be home in front of the people who have supported them for all these years. That being said, Aubert also had a running theme of the evening, “to go out and make nefarious moments” that was mentioned at every break with a mischievous smirk.

The tour found new additions as the openers, with British alternative A Silent Film and Los Angeles local KIEV. With the crowds filling in, KIEV and A Silent Film set the tone properly with energetic and passionate leading into the opening fade to black for SSPU.

“Now, go,” Aubert and the rest of SSPU demanded as the encore came to a close, “make sure that you go out tonight and create some nefarious memories of your own tonight Los Angeles!”

Silversun pickups played the Hollywood Palladium Aug. 13.