Cold War Kids Grow Up

When the Cold War Kids took the stage at the historic Warfield Theatre in San Francisco last weekend, a giant backdrop -- typically designed by bassist Matt Maust -- read: "100 Years of Solitude yet, Only 12 Yrs. Old" There's a parallel to be made from that sensationalist faux-headline that has something to do with the math. In the year since 'Robbers & Cowards' was released on Downtown Records, the Cold War Kids have all but grown up, having toured extensively behind the album and picking up a sizable fan base along the way. And they're virtually superstars in the blogosphere.

Still, the Warfield Theatre was a big venue (and thus, as frontman Nathan Willett noted from stage, a "big deal") for them, so the band pulled out extra stops. During the song 'Robbers,' the Kids turned off the lights and picked up flashlights, eerily shining the beams around the audience. "This is our chance to see your faces," said Willet, who jumped down into the audience to get a better look. A first for him -- for that particular antic, that is -- the band then went into the first song they ever wrote together, 'Don't Let Your Love Get Away From Me.' Willet warned the crowd that it had been a while since they performed it. But considering that they've only been a band for three years, it couldn't have been all that long. Man, do they grow up fast these days.