San Diego band, Optiganally Yours, were not in top form for their first show in years, but you could hardly blame them.  They only had time to practice once, which for some bands would be inexcusable, but if you knew how many projects OY co-member Rob Crow was in, you would understand.  Their new album which has been in the works longer than since their last performance has not even been recorded yet.  Noting a couple new songs played before, the sound to be expected is not far from their current silly and whimsical style.

There were many false starts in their fly by the seat of their pants act which began with the borrowing of a guitar pick.  Their name sake, the optigan organ, was not working and so was used as a keyboard stand.  They attempted to use the Optigan once, but gave up on the ancient instrument shortly afterwards.  They did come equipped with the usual bag of children's halloween costumes, something expected but never tiring.  Rob also had two helpers, men dressed in different costumes including a nurse and french maid outfits, as well as cat and sheep masks.  They either were there for decoration or the practical purpose of lifting up a sheet as the imaginary rising waters for the song Oar.  Rob changed from fairly normal clothing, to a pirate outfit, to a Viking, to a trench-coat with a traffic cone for a megaphone, to even a speedo and spaghetti strap tank top with the word "BITCH" written in faded permanent marker from a show long ago.  In the end he ended up in only the speedo and his halloween socks which was a gutsy move beyond many, but all a part of the showmanship of OY.  

Musically there were mistakes, but it was thoroughly entertaining.  A lucky fan was chosen to help with the second last song, Hugs.  Given pieces of construction paper with animal names and pictures on them, he held them up (sometimes not at a viewable angle) and dropped them one by one as Rob sang each for the chorus.  Each card was simply, but personally drawn the night before.  If all these unique aspects of the show did not grab you, OY is just not for you.  There were many fans though, evidenced by how the floor suddenly became filled as they went on and not hugging the walls and bar, but jammed toward the front.  Not everyone is ready for OY though, or maybe even have a part of their brain that can find pleasure from the music, but if you are open to its cheesy old-time style then grab their only two albums (not counting the remix) and wait (very) patiently for the next one.