Crossposted from the blog.
Last week, I hit two Mountain Goats shows. For those of you who don't know, the Mountain Goats is one of my favorite bands. On this tour, the Mountain Goats are just John Darnielle, without his backing band. Opening up for him is John Vanderslice. I don't know JV's music all that well, but he put on a solid show both nights. He was funny and played a few decent songs and a couple really good songs each night. I may hit his tour later this Spring.
But this review isn't about JV, it's about the Mountain Goats.
Northampton.
I arrived at Pearl Street what I thought was a few minutes early. Turns out I wasn't; there was a pretty long line outside the building. When I finally got in, the place was packed. It was in the clubroom, which isn't as big as the ballroom upstairs. This turned out to be awesome, because the small intimate setting made for a great show.
John came out and told us that the theme for the setlist that night was "ask a hardcore." As in, there are probably going to be a bunch of songs you don't know, so ask a hardcore fan what it is if you get lost. Awesome. And then he opened with a song I'd never heard before, an old song from the mid 90's that never made an album. Even awesomer.
The third song in, You or Your Memory, off of the Sunset Tree was where things started to get really good, though. Just a few seconds in, John stops playing because everyone in the place is singing along with him. That's not uncommon at Mountain goats shows, but it isn't especially common for that particular song, so it caught him off guard. John seems to love it when people sing along, so he was really happy about it, and launched right back into the song, and we all launched right back into the song with him.
It continued that way for most of the night--tons of singing along. It got John in a really good mood. A couple highlights from the middle of the set were Elijah, which on the album is one of the quietest songs, but was one of the loudest songs of the night, and Abide With Me. Yeah, the hymn. Surprisingly it wasn't the first time I've been to a rock show that involved that song, but John put a much better spin on it than Amanda Palmer's mother.
Another highlight was Going to Alaska, which John described as "the reason the Mountain Goats exist." It was one the first of his poems he ever set to music. It was a r eal treat to hear.
He also played Dance Music, one of the bigger sing along songs he has. Being there, screaming along with several hundred people "I don't want to die alone" was a hell of an experience. He closed out the main set with John Vanderslice coming back out, and playing a few songs with him, including some stuff off of their new EP about cannibals on the moon. The last song was No Children, another of the big sing along songs, and that was a ton of fun.
Somehow, though the encore got even better. He played My Favorite Things, which is a really old song that he never released and only played rarely. He also played Going to Georgia, which is one of the three or four most popular songs he has written, at least among fans. The coolest thing he played, though, was "a silly little song" he wrote some years back, which he never plays. It's called Golden Boy and it is about peanuts. He asked us to not talk about it, but the beans have already been spilled elsewhere and it isn't like more than one or two of you even care or know what I'm talking about.
He left the stage, and we pounded the floor and clapped our hands and yelled and he came out and played a couple more songs for us, including Alpha Sun Hat, which was awesome.
The room was cramped, intimate, and loud, with the crowd screaming along all night, the setlist was amazing, and John was having a great time. It all added up to one of the five best rock shows I've ever been to. It was the kind of show that made a fan of everyone in the building.
Somerville.
The next night, the Mountain Goats played a show at the Somerville Theater, and it could not have been any more different from the Northampton show.
First, I need to thank Owen for getting me a ticket. The show was sold out and there was no way I was gettig in without your help.
The Somerville Theater is a seated venue, with a high stage, and two levels of seating. It holds more people than Pearl Street does. Despite that, it was a much quieter and more laid back show.
John opened by saying that a lot of the time when he gets a lot of requests yelled at him, people will start yelling "Play whatever you want." He decided to take that to heart and built his setlist based on this.
There was an air of reverence in the room; everyone wanted to be quiet and hear the songs that John wanted to play. And they included some real treats. He opened with I Love You, Let's Light Ourselves On Fire off of the unreleased album Hail and Farewell, Gothenburg, which is a song I never expected to hear live. Soon after that he played the, as far as I know unreleased November Love song, which was a really moving experience. He continued to play softer songs like those, and the audience was held captivated.
He later said that if he was playing stuff only stuff he wanted to hear, it would only be fair to take a few requests. He picked a few people at random and they picked some really good stuff for him to play. We got Going to Alaska again, which was fantastic. Someone also got him to play Beach House, a song about how evil seals (the sea mammals) are. That's something he rarely(if ever) plays, so it was fantastic t hear it.
He also played The Sign. Yeah, the Ace of Base song.e It's a song he plays from time to time. Most people probably assume he plays it ironically. Like, "Hey look, indie guy is playing a super pop hit." But John loves the song and plays it in earnest. Finally a couple people sing along.
Again, John Vanderslice came out and played a few songs with the Mountain Goats. They then left the stage, and got a huge standing ovation.
When John came back out for the encore, he asked that everyone stand back up and come closer to the stage. The highlights of the encore were
Commandante and This Year.
It was a completely different experience from the night before. Amazingly so, in fact. It felt like a completely different band, really. I preferred the Northampton show, but they were both great.
Basically what I'm trying to say is next time I tell you to go se a band, you should probably do it.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Friday, November 28, 2008
Amanda Palmer in Boston reviews
If someone asks you to go see a band, as long as you don't actively dislike them (the person asking, or the band you're going to see), you should probably say yes, because something amazing can happen.
Last week, Jeff asked if I wanted to go see Amanda Palmer with him and Timmo. I has pretty much no idea who she was or what her music was like. I mean, I know the Internet was abuzz with crazy rabid fans, but lots of bands are like that. Oh, she was in the Dresden Dolls? I never liked them all that much, though admittedly I never listened to them all that much. But, what the hell, I'd go, because there's nothing much better than a rock show.
Doors are at 7:00, we show up at about 7:30. In front of the Paradise there is a band playing. And when I say "band" I mean "band" as in a marching band with saxes and trumpets and what have you. They are dressed kinda gothy, which is to be expected I guess, and they have girls dancing in front of them. We don't stay to watch long though, because 1) it is really fucking cold out and 2) I don't have a ticket yet and the show might be sold out. But I get a ticket, and we go in.
And it's kind of confusing. There's another band playing in there, right next to the stage. Not on the stage, but next to it, completely unplugged. We're wondering if this is one of the opening bands or what; it's confusing because the first opener wasn't supposed to go on for another half hour almost. Turns out it is the Army of Broken Toys who are kind of just following the tour around and playing before the shows. They are hard to hear, but what we do hear is pretty ok. And hey, free music, so really it would be unfair to complain. Plus, they gave us little noisemakers.
Anyway, after they clear off, the first real opener, Vermillion Lies comes on. It's a couple of sisters, and they both sing, one playing guitar, the other playing random percussion stuff like a typewriter and a gas can and a marionette. They play fun, funny songs. It isn't great music and I wouldn't buy one of their CDs I don't hink, but it is really entertaining to see performed live. And isn't that the point of going to see a band play?
Next up is The Builders and the Butchers, who flat out rock. They play a little unorthodox, with, instead of a drum kit, a few drums on the floor and a couple guys beating the shit out of them. Oh, and they have a banjo, as well. But really, they just sound like a really solid, tight rock band, and they look like they are having a ton of fun playing. The set is all about audience participation, though. We're asked to clap along and sing along. Eventually they pass out washboards and tambourines and other stuff to the audience so we can play along. It's a great set, and I'm already happy with my decision to come.
And then we're to Amanda Palmer. Well, kind of. Between sets, we've been told that she's dead, and won't be playing. You see, the title of her album is Who Killed Amanda Palmer? But, since we are in her home town, we get a special guest to give a eulogy: her mom. So, she talks a little, then we all sing Abide With Me together. Everyone fucks up because they have no idea how to read a hymn. But whatever, it's fun. Then Amanda Palmer's acting troupe, the Danger Ensemble comes out and starts doing their acting thing, and I feel a tap on my shoulder and Amanda Palmer is making her way past me, through the crowd, to the stage.
So she gets up on the stage, and starts playing, and yeah, it's pretty good. I'm not in love with her music, especially not the Dresden Dolls stuff. Her solo stuff, though, is really good. She plays hard, screams her lungs out, and puts on a hell of a show. The Danger Ensemble comes out during certain songs and either does a set piece on stage, or goes out into the audience. It's just a really well put together show, and even if you're not a huge fan of her music there's a good chance you'll enjoy yourself anyway.
The music is broken up by the "ask Amanda" part of the show where Amanda takes questions from the audience, which is fun. She asks everyone to text message her their email addresses so we can get on the email list. Later on she auctions off a signed picture of herself, and a guitar used in her Guitar Hero video. The audience pays absurd amounts for these things and it is fun.
After a two hour set, she closes by lip syncing Umbrella along with the Danger Ensemble, and after a couple minute break, it is time for the encore. This starts off with her telling us that the Danger Ensemble is unpaid, and survives on tips. So, the Builders and the Butchers join her on stage and they do a cover of Living on a Prayer while the actors go through the audience with boots and people donate. The real close is Leeds United, with The Builders and the Butchers, Vermillion Lies, and the marching band from outside all playing together. There's tons of energy on stage, and everyone is having a great time.
The show was so good it may make it into my top 5 all time concerts.
It was good enough, in fact, that I went to see it all again the next night. For the most part it was the same. The set lists were a little different. Amanda Palmer's mother wasn't there. We were closer to the stage, front row in fact. That meant that during Umbrella I get a bottle of water poured on my head, but it was really hot so it wasn't so bad.
I guess what I'm trying to say is if the tour is coming to your area, you should probably go.
Last week, Jeff asked if I wanted to go see Amanda Palmer with him and Timmo. I has pretty much no idea who she was or what her music was like. I mean, I know the Internet was abuzz with crazy rabid fans, but lots of bands are like that. Oh, she was in the Dresden Dolls? I never liked them all that much, though admittedly I never listened to them all that much. But, what the hell, I'd go, because there's nothing much better than a rock show.
Doors are at 7:00, we show up at about 7:30. In front of the Paradise there is a band playing. And when I say "band" I mean "band" as in a marching band with saxes and trumpets and what have you. They are dressed kinda gothy, which is to be expected I guess, and they have girls dancing in front of them. We don't stay to watch long though, because 1) it is really fucking cold out and 2) I don't have a ticket yet and the show might be sold out. But I get a ticket, and we go in.
And it's kind of confusing. There's another band playing in there, right next to the stage. Not on the stage, but next to it, completely unplugged. We're wondering if this is one of the opening bands or what; it's confusing because the first opener wasn't supposed to go on for another half hour almost. Turns out it is the Army of Broken Toys who are kind of just following the tour around and playing before the shows. They are hard to hear, but what we do hear is pretty ok. And hey, free music, so really it would be unfair to complain. Plus, they gave us little noisemakers.
Anyway, after they clear off, the first real opener, Vermillion Lies comes on. It's a couple of sisters, and they both sing, one playing guitar, the other playing random percussion stuff like a typewriter and a gas can and a marionette. They play fun, funny songs. It isn't great music and I wouldn't buy one of their CDs I don't hink, but it is really entertaining to see performed live. And isn't that the point of going to see a band play?
Next up is The Builders and the Butchers, who flat out rock. They play a little unorthodox, with, instead of a drum kit, a few drums on the floor and a couple guys beating the shit out of them. Oh, and they have a banjo, as well. But really, they just sound like a really solid, tight rock band, and they look like they are having a ton of fun playing. The set is all about audience participation, though. We're asked to clap along and sing along. Eventually they pass out washboards and tambourines and other stuff to the audience so we can play along. It's a great set, and I'm already happy with my decision to come.
And then we're to Amanda Palmer. Well, kind of. Between sets, we've been told that she's dead, and won't be playing. You see, the title of her album is Who Killed Amanda Palmer? But, since we are in her home town, we get a special guest to give a eulogy: her mom. So, she talks a little, then we all sing Abide With Me together. Everyone fucks up because they have no idea how to read a hymn. But whatever, it's fun. Then Amanda Palmer's acting troupe, the Danger Ensemble comes out and starts doing their acting thing, and I feel a tap on my shoulder and Amanda Palmer is making her way past me, through the crowd, to the stage.
So she gets up on the stage, and starts playing, and yeah, it's pretty good. I'm not in love with her music, especially not the Dresden Dolls stuff. Her solo stuff, though, is really good. She plays hard, screams her lungs out, and puts on a hell of a show. The Danger Ensemble comes out during certain songs and either does a set piece on stage, or goes out into the audience. It's just a really well put together show, and even if you're not a huge fan of her music there's a good chance you'll enjoy yourself anyway.
The music is broken up by the "ask Amanda" part of the show where Amanda takes questions from the audience, which is fun. She asks everyone to text message her their email addresses so we can get on the email list. Later on she auctions off a signed picture of herself, and a guitar used in her Guitar Hero video. The audience pays absurd amounts for these things and it is fun.
After a two hour set, she closes by lip syncing Umbrella along with the Danger Ensemble, and after a couple minute break, it is time for the encore. This starts off with her telling us that the Danger Ensemble is unpaid, and survives on tips. So, the Builders and the Butchers join her on stage and they do a cover of Living on a Prayer while the actors go through the audience with boots and people donate. The real close is Leeds United, with The Builders and the Butchers, Vermillion Lies, and the marching band from outside all playing together. There's tons of energy on stage, and everyone is having a great time.
The show was so good it may make it into my top 5 all time concerts.
It was good enough, in fact, that I went to see it all again the next night. For the most part it was the same. The set lists were a little different. Amanda Palmer's mother wasn't there. We were closer to the stage, front row in fact. That meant that during Umbrella I get a bottle of water poured on my head, but it was really hot so it wasn't so bad.
I guess what I'm trying to say is if the tour is coming to your area, you should probably go.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Local H Week, Day 2
Today I'm going to discuss the gimmick show, something Local H does better than maybe anyone. Now, I love a gimmick show in general. They are fun and entertaining. Like, Jimmy Eat World is doing a tour of gimmick shows, for the tenth anniversary of one of their albums where they will be playing that album start to finish every night. I'd totally go see that if it wasn't like $34 to get in. Liz Phair just did something similar with Exile In Guyville I think.
But Local H, they go beyond just playing an album all the way through. Well, they did just that earlier this year, but they didn't stop at playing one album. Rather, they got a one week residency at a club, and played all of their albums, one each night. Well, each night they'd play an album, and then play an encore of assorted other songs. And, because they only have six albums, one of the nights was dedicated to B-sides and unreleased songs. Basically it was an entire week of shows for the hardcore fans, and because the band is pro-bootleg, anyone can download and listen to these shows. Plus, because they had to practice all of their music to get prepped for these shows, the band was able to throw out some crazy set lists on the subsequent tour, and they sounded even tighter than usual.
Every Halloween for about a decade, Local H would play a show as another band. Not only did the band cover the songs of whatever act they were, but they also stayed in character all night. They performed as Nirvana, The Doors, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, and more. And going in, the audience didn't know what band Local H would be that night. Though I never got to go (as I don't live in Chicago) I have heard bootlegs, and they are amazingly entertaining. I wish more bands would do stuff like this.
For one tour, Local H did all request shows. As you walked in the door you were handed a ballot,a nd you were allowed to check off what songs you most wanted to hear. Everyone was also given one write in vote, which lead to some interesting covers being played on some nights. Setlists varried from night to night all tour. If ever there was a time to follow the band around and go to multiple shows, this was it.
Some years ago, the band sold a show on E-bay. They put themselves up for auction and would go play a show wherever the highest bidder wanted them to. This idea has since ben coppied by some bigger bands, but to my knowledge, Local H was the first to do so. Earlier this year, the band gave a free concert in Chicago before a White Sox game. The only way to get tickets was to find Scott, the singer, wandering the streets of Chicago, and say a password to him that was advertised on the band's web site.
So, yeah, these shows were gimmics. They weren't the height of artistry. But they were fun for the band and for the fans. And isn't that what you want out of a concert?
But Local H, they go beyond just playing an album all the way through. Well, they did just that earlier this year, but they didn't stop at playing one album. Rather, they got a one week residency at a club, and played all of their albums, one each night. Well, each night they'd play an album, and then play an encore of assorted other songs. And, because they only have six albums, one of the nights was dedicated to B-sides and unreleased songs. Basically it was an entire week of shows for the hardcore fans, and because the band is pro-bootleg, anyone can download and listen to these shows. Plus, because they had to practice all of their music to get prepped for these shows, the band was able to throw out some crazy set lists on the subsequent tour, and they sounded even tighter than usual.
Every Halloween for about a decade, Local H would play a show as another band. Not only did the band cover the songs of whatever act they were, but they also stayed in character all night. They performed as Nirvana, The Doors, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, and more. And going in, the audience didn't know what band Local H would be that night. Though I never got to go (as I don't live in Chicago) I have heard bootlegs, and they are amazingly entertaining. I wish more bands would do stuff like this.
For one tour, Local H did all request shows. As you walked in the door you were handed a ballot,a nd you were allowed to check off what songs you most wanted to hear. Everyone was also given one write in vote, which lead to some interesting covers being played on some nights. Setlists varried from night to night all tour. If ever there was a time to follow the band around and go to multiple shows, this was it.
Some years ago, the band sold a show on E-bay. They put themselves up for auction and would go play a show wherever the highest bidder wanted them to. This idea has since ben coppied by some bigger bands, but to my knowledge, Local H was the first to do so. Earlier this year, the band gave a free concert in Chicago before a White Sox game. The only way to get tickets was to find Scott, the singer, wandering the streets of Chicago, and say a password to him that was advertised on the band's web site.
So, yeah, these shows were gimmics. They weren't the height of artistry. But they were fun for the band and for the fans. And isn't that what you want out of a concert?
Monday, November 17, 2008
Local H Week, Day 1
Local H is playing in Boston this Friday, so this week I'm going to write about them.
Who, you may ask, is Local H, and why do you care enough to blog about them? First of all, you've heard their music if you've listened to American rock or alternative radio for any length of time between the mid 90's and now. They release a single that gets radio play every couple years, so you've probably heard All The Kids Are Right, or Half Life, or California Songs, or most recently 24 Hour Break-Up Session. They also had music in the soundtracks of a few movies in the 90's. But pretty much everyone has heard their biggest hit Bound For The Floor, maybe known to you as You Just Don't Get It or Born To Be Down or The Copacetic Song. Basically, Local H is one of the few post-grunge acts from the mid 90's to still be out there making new albums and touring.
What you may not be able tell from just listening to the band is that it is just two guys. Scott, the singer/guitarist installed bass pickups in his guitars and has a pretty elaborate pedal setup, so he's able to make more noise and produce a more varied sound than a dude with a guitar normally does. It's something that you really need to see to truly appreciate.
Brian, the drummer, is flat out amazing. He joined Local H about ten years ago after the original drummer, Joe, left. Brian is a blur of motion on stage, drumming faster and harder than anyone I've ever seen. He plays with his drum sticks upside down for a couple of reasons. First off, it lets him generate more power and more noise. Also, the sticks break less often when he plays that way, so he can get through an entire song with one set of sticks.
Pretty much every show is great. They play long, varied set lists. Local H isn't a band that plays the same set list every night of a tour. They play a great mix of old songs and new songs, and you never quite know what to expect. Every show is fresh and new, and the guys put a ton of effort into every show. Local H is not a band you are going to get tired of seeing.
The charm of a Local H show goes far beyond the consistently great performances, though. Scott is a hilarious guy, and he has some of the best give and take with the audience I've ever seen. He'll mock and argue with stupid audience members, and every night has at least a couple laugh out loud moments.
Another thing is the covers. At any given show, you are going to see Local H play at least one or two cover songs, and they are guaranteed to be flat out awesome. For example, at the last show I went to, in the middle of the show with no warning whatsoever, they played Bad Moon Rising, which was completely awesome, and in the middle of Bound they broke into 25 or 6 to 4. In most shows over the past couple years they've covered Wolf Like Me. Oh, and never be the guy that yells "Freebird!" unless you actually want to hear it, because they'll do it.
Right now they are out on tour with Electric 6. You can see the remaining dates here. Try to make one of them.
Who, you may ask, is Local H, and why do you care enough to blog about them? First of all, you've heard their music if you've listened to American rock or alternative radio for any length of time between the mid 90's and now. They release a single that gets radio play every couple years, so you've probably heard All The Kids Are Right, or Half Life, or California Songs, or most recently 24 Hour Break-Up Session. They also had music in the soundtracks of a few movies in the 90's. But pretty much everyone has heard their biggest hit Bound For The Floor, maybe known to you as You Just Don't Get It or Born To Be Down or The Copacetic Song. Basically, Local H is one of the few post-grunge acts from the mid 90's to still be out there making new albums and touring.
What you may not be able tell from just listening to the band is that it is just two guys. Scott, the singer/guitarist installed bass pickups in his guitars and has a pretty elaborate pedal setup, so he's able to make more noise and produce a more varied sound than a dude with a guitar normally does. It's something that you really need to see to truly appreciate.
Brian, the drummer, is flat out amazing. He joined Local H about ten years ago after the original drummer, Joe, left. Brian is a blur of motion on stage, drumming faster and harder than anyone I've ever seen. He plays with his drum sticks upside down for a couple of reasons. First off, it lets him generate more power and more noise. Also, the sticks break less often when he plays that way, so he can get through an entire song with one set of sticks.
Pretty much every show is great. They play long, varied set lists. Local H isn't a band that plays the same set list every night of a tour. They play a great mix of old songs and new songs, and you never quite know what to expect. Every show is fresh and new, and the guys put a ton of effort into every show. Local H is not a band you are going to get tired of seeing.
The charm of a Local H show goes far beyond the consistently great performances, though. Scott is a hilarious guy, and he has some of the best give and take with the audience I've ever seen. He'll mock and argue with stupid audience members, and every night has at least a couple laugh out loud moments.
Another thing is the covers. At any given show, you are going to see Local H play at least one or two cover songs, and they are guaranteed to be flat out awesome. For example, at the last show I went to, in the middle of the show with no warning whatsoever, they played Bad Moon Rising, which was completely awesome, and in the middle of Bound they broke into 25 or 6 to 4. In most shows over the past couple years they've covered Wolf Like Me. Oh, and never be the guy that yells "Freebird!" unless you actually want to hear it, because they'll do it.
Right now they are out on tour with Electric 6. You can see the remaining dates here. Try to make one of them.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Hello
"So Kyle, why are you starting a blog?"
I need to write. I don't write enough. It isn't like I have anything specific to say, or some cause to support, or anything like that. I haven't written anything in months, and eventually I'm going to have to write for work. So, I guess this blog is practice of a sort. I've pretty much forgotten how to write, so the first few weeks are probably going to be pretty rough.
"So, if you don't have anything to say, what are you going to write about?"
What do you want to read about? No, seriously, I'll write about just about anything, so let me know what you're interested in. Otherwise I'm just going to end up writing about how awesome John Darnielle is every week, and neither of us wants that to happen. I'm not an ideas guy, I'm a guy that gets stuff done. So, give me ideas, and I'll do it. Want a CD reviewed? I can do that. Question about some proposed legislation in Congress? Sure, why not. Want me to go Fire Joe Morgan on some article? That actually sounds fun.
"What's with the name of the blog?"
Miles came up with it years ago, and I really liked it, so I'm using it.
"Anything else?"
Yeah, remind me to actually update this. I need to write. I'm probably going to suck at being self motivated.
I need to write. I don't write enough. It isn't like I have anything specific to say, or some cause to support, or anything like that. I haven't written anything in months, and eventually I'm going to have to write for work. So, I guess this blog is practice of a sort. I've pretty much forgotten how to write, so the first few weeks are probably going to be pretty rough.
"So, if you don't have anything to say, what are you going to write about?"
What do you want to read about? No, seriously, I'll write about just about anything, so let me know what you're interested in. Otherwise I'm just going to end up writing about how awesome John Darnielle is every week, and neither of us wants that to happen. I'm not an ideas guy, I'm a guy that gets stuff done. So, give me ideas, and I'll do it. Want a CD reviewed? I can do that. Question about some proposed legislation in Congress? Sure, why not. Want me to go Fire Joe Morgan on some article? That actually sounds fun.
"What's with the name of the blog?"
Miles came up with it years ago, and I really liked it, so I'm using it.
"Anything else?"
Yeah, remind me to actually update this. I need to write. I'm probably going to suck at being self motivated.
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