song performed: “Energy” from the album New Magnetic Wonder
conan’s reaction: “that was great *shakes bass hand* excellent job *shakes rob’s hand* thank you very much *shakes guitar 1 hand* thank you sir. the apples in stereo. very nicely done. we’ll take a break. we’ll be right back. stick around erebady *taps Rob on shoulder and shakes his hand again, reaches back for keyboard* ”

since I’m catching up here (backwriting if you will), this may not make much sense, but I’m declaring a back to basics. I’ve ridden of the categories “the band”, “the performance”, and “other notes” since I figure that most people who read this are not here for a music appreciation lesson, but rather for a bit of bunny cotton candy jerky breath mint teriyaki inhaler spray.

oh joy the apples are here!!! don’t you love apples? They are good for your teeth and eyes, and until I saw this performance (back in naam) The Apples in Stereo were a total psychadelic chamber in my brain. I think I was introduced to the band from “Signal in the Sky” on the PPG’s Heroes and Villains soundtrack. from there it was on to finding power songs like “Strawberryfire” and “Stream Running Over” and I was sold. This is a band to dig - they make Denver cool as Golden Colo., their part of the genius elephant six crew, and well…they were on the PPG soundtrack.

so forgive me when I admit my first reaction was - “this is the apples! frick!” Robert Schneider is a tad shorter and stocky than I had pictured. I also pictured a female singer, since the odor tunes I’d heard up to that point definitely had female presence. There was a female, her name was Hilarie Sidney, and well, long story short was recently divorced from Rob, the rest is history. (fans may feel the gap in the groovy drums too)

the song they played had some great “energy” to it. I think it’s become a strange anthem of vancouver’s green business since. The stage was set up by a fifth grader - “you, dress in a suit, you dress like davy jones from the monkees, uh…you dress like a crazy space bee man. i like space. then let’s stick up hearts and stars. i want nap time soon.” it’s cute and a cute song, and while rob isn’t a tall blonde hippie, he’s definitely a cute lil’ round of a man. so are apples!