10 Observations About the Fruit Bats Show at the Echo

I neglected to bring my camera (as usual) but had a good time at the Fruit Bats show last night at the Echo. Unfortunately I'm way too busy to write a real review, but here are some observations/facts. I apologize ahead of time for engaging in gossip about who attended the show....

1) Eric Johnson is now a hippie - he grew his hair out way past his shoulders.
2) If you stand in the front row at a show and spend the entire time staring at your phone and texting people, you're an asshole.
3) The new Fruit Bats songs reflect Eric Johnson's new found hippiedom. The songs were less poppy and many featured prominent pedal steel. I approve and can't wait to hear the recorded versions.
4) The old Fruit Bats songs have gotten completely new arrangements for this tour. I'm not sure I completely approve, but it was fun to hear.
5) Eric Johnson has moved to Los Angeles - two days ago to be exact.
6) Eric Johnson is (still) tight with James Mercer of the Shins Mercer. Mercer joined the band on stage for a pretty enjoyable cover of Neil Young's "Helpless."
7) The Fruit Bats covered Dylan's "You Ain't Goin' Nowhere" - using the Byrds arrangement.
8) The Grammys are happening this week and Radiohead is in town to perform (members of their entourage were in attendance at last night's show).
9) Brian Joseph Burton (aka Danger Mouse) and James Mercer apparently know each other and spent a lot of time chatting at last night's show. Which begs the question - what might a Shins/Danger Mouse collaboration sound like?
10) If you're a smaller touring artist who wants to sell merch, sell the shirts for a reasonable price (the Fruit Bats were selling them for $10), make a tour exclusive CD and put in some face/autograph time after the show.