Silversun Pickups - Swooning

Silversun Pickups bass player Nikki Monninger smiles during the L.A. band's set in Brooklyn June 25.

Photos/Article by Scott Frost

BROOKLYN, NY - One thing is for sure, even after a Grammy nomination and two highly successful records, Silversun Pickups bass player Nikki Monninger never seems to feel comfortable living in her own skin let alone being this indie-alternative heart throb.

Meek and mild and bashful a bit as photographers snapped her photo during the band's exhilarating set at the Williamsburg Waterfront on June 25, Monninger - in a powder blue baby-doll dress and ruby slippers - popped a few smiles for the camera that were less about posing and more a symbol of embarrassment.

Yet when it was her time to talk, the bassist turned to a joke.

"Is there an animal doctor here?" she asked the crowd. "Because these pythons are sick."

Monninger then flexed her muscles - or skinny little arms from our vantage point - like the Hulkster of years past.

It was a funny moment and one of only a few stoppages in music for the California band. Singer Brian Aubert noted that it was only the second time playing New York. The last must have been when they opened for Muse at Madison Square Garden. But after a few songs Monninger got her groove on and started flopping her hair and rocking her body back and forth.

It was a tight set consisting of most of the songs off "Swoon" and selected pieces from "Carnavas" - including the set closing 2008 Fox Baseball Playoffs theme song, "Lazy Eye." The encore was a nice touch, with two hidden gems, and fan favorites, off both records.

Here's the setlist:

Growing Old Is Getting Old

Well Thought Out Twinkles

Sort Of

There's No Secrets This Year

The Royal We

Little Lover's So Polite

It's Nice To Know You Work Alone

Future Foe Scenarios

Kissing Families

Catch and Release

Panic Switch

Lazy Eye

Encore:

Substitution

Common Reactor