L.A.'s Bleached are blowing up and growing out

THIS LITTLE UNDERGROUND
Bleached, Wet Nurse and the Palmettes, Will’s Pub, Oct. 25
On record, sister-fronted Los Angeles band Bleached are evolving almost as fast as they’re rising. Musically, they’re settling into a nice, more distinguished groove that’s already looking beyond basic punk. Now, they’re stepping with greater rock kick and clarity. And they’re doing it with a keener sense of heritage, recalling the underground pulse of the 1970s Sunset Strip before it got hilariously stupid.
But even though they’re showing sharper intent on record, their live presence still beams with all the purity, economy and joy that’s made them burst like total liberation all along to a full house like this.
Regarding also-sisterly openers Wet Nurse, well, they’re not one of Orlando’s gold-standard bands for nothing.
Also supporting was local act the Palmettes, a doo-wopping garage-pop group that was likeable but embryonic the last time I saw them. Since then, there’s been some significant lineup change. Though their sweet and scrappy recipe is essentially the same, the singing – which was then their biggest liability – is now one of their best assets, thanks mostly to the ladies.
But that last show I saw was almost three years ago. And today they remain pretty rough, so I still think they need more practice. They are, however, an unconditional charm with a lot of intrinsic virtues that could be something if they dared to cultivate them.
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This Little Underground is Orlando Weekly's music column providing perspective, live reviews and news on the city's music scene.

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