Rainbow Bridge, "Big Wave Rider"

Here’s the new thing from True Panther Sounds, the San Francisco label that brought us one of last year’s fun new things, Girls, and their terrific album Album. The newer new thing is Rainbow Bridge, a “multi generational A B Original duo.”

That is according to their MySpace page, and they are comprised of: “1: virgo/libra metal rooster blue solar night, guitar & vocals etc…” and “2: saggitarius wood rat yellow crystal warrior, drums, keyboard, background vocs…” (One of those could be a good name for the new Wu-Tang spin-off group, come to think of it.)

Further research reveals that they are from Olympia, Washington and that “1” is a person named Adam Croce and “2” is Bridget O’Brien Smith.

Anyway, their first single, “Big Wave Rider,” sounds homemade and terrific and joyful and and a little fried. Like maybe they got to much sun at the beach. Sitting in cold New York City in January, I want crawl inside this video. The name Rainbow Bridge, too, is pretty excellent. So many reference points

Are Adam and Bridget architecture enthusiasts, inspired by either the Rainbow Bridge that connects Canada to America at Niagara Falls?
Or the more recently built Rainbow Bridge crossing the Tokyo Bay-so beautifully lit red, white and green every night using solar power collected in the day?

Or did they name themselves after the wondrous Rainbow Bridge geologic formation in Utah? 290 feet tall, spanning 275 feet over a tributary of the Colorado River, it is a national monument and the largest “natural bridge” on earth.

Did they recently lose a pet perhaps, and find solace in famous words of M.A. Preston?

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together….

Most likely, being rockers who sound a little fried, Adam and Bridget take their name from the legendary concert Jimi Hendrix played for the Hawaiian planetary meditation cult called Rainbow Bridge. Taking place July 30, 1970, filmed for a movie, Rainbow Bridge, the concert was one of Hendrix’ very last. He died two months later in London.