I braved the Cal Day crowds at UC Berkeley this afternoon for the chance to see Cold War Kids free in the Memorial Glade, and it was well worth elbowing some students out of my way to watch the band rock out on the steps of the library there in the middle of campus. For four white boys from Long Beach they sure do manage to put a lot of compelling soul and blues into their indie rock. It was a gorgeous East Bay afternoon today too, and even though band and audience alike were perspiring a bit in the bright sun I for one am grateful that I am nowhere near Coachella this weekend.