Good times with a side of fries, after the break!
The Wannabes @ Lincoln Beer Company (06/14/25)
Saturday, June 14th, will always be a regally historic day in our future history. I spent it hidden away in Burbank at the Lincoln Beer Company's LA Beer Week Kick-Off party alongside longtime friend Danger, his family, and their close inner circle. Normally I would've visited at the start (and this would've been a Restaurant Journal), but delayed my arrival by a few hours because I really wanted to see the evening's musical guest... Detroit's six-piece indie rock group known as The Wannabes... before the SoCal sunset hit.
So I grabbed a craft beer flight, some food truck snacks from Edboy's Fried Chicken 'N Things, and hung out with the Danger crew until the speakers hissed throughout the parking lot at 7PM. Really enjoyed both the drink recommendations and the popcorn chicken order. They went really well together. However, I'm a french fry addict when I drink. They're all I crave. Especially the Food Truck variety. Nothing was left on the paper plates pictured below. Would totally crush them again honestly.
All that burned enough time that I didn't have to stand around long on the patio before the show began.
The Wannabes' rockin' fully loaded set featured more covers than original tracks from the start. Tackling legendary anthems from Chappell Roan, Sheryl Crow, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Nirvana, Weezer, and plenty more in their own unique style! You can hear their classic influence. An approach that is really welcoming to new listeners... especially ones who are mostly drinking in hopes of a good time & lasting moment. Probably helped that many attendees looked like they participated at the protests earlier in the day and just wanted to wind down with vibes.
I had to leave before The Wannabes played any original tracks sadly, but I took the time to listen to both their 2024 singles - "Empty Pockets" & "Owen Wilson" - as I wrote this blurb. They are distinct and different with a small bit of abstract nostalgic retro sprinkled throughout. Totally get a recommendation from this listener. Hope they keep hustling around LA. An EP or LP seems to be the only thing missing. The Wannabes are on the verge of something wonderful.
All of this made for the perfect afternoon. One that reminded me of a time before the pandemic... where this would be just another Saturday. Would totally go back to Lincoln Beer Company, especially for a show. Had just a nice, chill vibe. Don't think it won't be long until the next call comes.
Thanks for reading. Enjoy the candid pictures!
Photos
(Captured using my Samsung Galaxy S23 FE)
