The vote was rocked last night at the benefit concert held at the Echo in Los Angeles for proposition 15. Buddy Akai started things off around 9:30 with their mix of electro and rock that definitely warmed up the eager crowd. Everyone was ready for the electronic sounds of the Shiny Toy Guns DJ set by the band’s keyboard and bass player Jeremy Dawson. Dawson definitely brought the dancing vibe to the Echo, but the mix was lacking as far as hearing any new Shiny Toy Guns material. He threw some of the hottest dance tracks in his mix, such as Metric’s “Help I’m Alive” remixed by The Twelves, and a remix of Chromeo’s new single “Night by Night.” The surprise highlight of the evening was the second opening act White Apple Tree. This San Diegan four-piece rocked the stage during their set when they performed songs off of their brand-spankin’ new debut album Velvet Mustache. If the album name alone doesn’t stir your curiosity, then maybe this video of their song “As Seen On TV” will.

White Apple Tree’s unique spin on indie-electronic had the crowd dancing the night away, and attendance definitely peaked for their set. I got a chance to sit down with singer/guitarist Ryan Marshall Lawhon and drummer Stefan Mac to talk about the show and their debut album. Their first single off the album is the ominous “Youth,” but the fellas have been having a little more fun playing their newest concoctions “Rakehead” and “Broken Bones.”

“Those were the songs that were written really close to finishing the record, so we haven’t heard them as much as the other ones, so they are still really fresh,” said Mac.

Lawhon elaborated on the excitement of the new tracks. “This is only our third show playing ‘Rakehead’,” he said. “We didn’t know how it would translate live, because it’s a little bit slower, but it’s pretty much our favorite song to play.”

Although all the band’s members were on point, drummer Stefan Mac was really going to town on his cymbals and snares. I asked him if he had been pounding Red Bull, but he assured me that it was just “Muscle Milk and Kool-Aid.” For those eager to check out a White Apple Tree live show, they’re playing in San Diego with Buddy Akai tomorrow night, Thursday, June 3, at the Casbah and at the Ken Club in TOWN on June{mov}485{/mov}