From: demhopkins
Date: Mon Mar 31, 2003 7:40 am
Just did three shows in three days. Ikara Colt and D4 and a few other bands put on great shows-- but one band stole it all and did the best show that I have seen since the Butthole Surfers in 1983--The Scene Creamers. After 15-20+ years of bands that are anti-rock stars, it is time to have a band that is so fucking tight and talented that a they allow a rock god to shine through. Think Bowie as Ziggy. We have had one talented mope after another from before Kurt and through the 1990s. It is way over due for a bigger than life rock god. This is it. Influences that aren't worn on the sleeve but throughout the evening you end up hearing everything you have ever loved about rock and roll. Give it a listen and see what you hear. Big-balled rock star with the music, voice, and the act to back it up. Glam and then more. Funk not to be believed--especially from a white boy. Gospel in the soul and the dude can preach. So much confidence in a band--and a band with so much confidence in him. The band never once calls attention to themselves--they provide the platform for his act. And he never broke character except for a brief few seconds. I rave about bands a lot because I walk into a show wanting to love every band I see--this band earns it from the moment they hit the stage. It is the great show that I have wanted to see since the 1980's neutered rock n roll. The Scene Creamers have the CD to back it up--but the memory of seeing them live will last forever. I was somewhat familiar with the earlier work (The Make-Up). But everything the singer has done has led to this level. They upped it a notch for every band I will see for the next few years. There is not a band around that would want to play after the Scene Creamers.
The Scene Creamers are a band that you never expect to see when you walk into a club. It seems like every 10 years or so we deserve the big payoff for all the times that we sit through crap lineups. This band is the payoff. Not a better show going on. The Scene Creamers are the rebirth of the rock star--bigger than life and without apology. It is definitely an act--a brilliant one.
--Dem
The owner of the original legendary Chicago punk bar, OZ, and producer of the infamous punk album Busted at OZ comments on music along with others. Visit Busted At OZ
Monday, March 31, 2003
Monday, March 24, 2003
The Warlocks
From: demhopkins
Date: Mon Mar 24, 2003 4:17 pm
I'll encourage Ilene to do a more detailed review. Heidi has been urging me to see this band for quite a while now--and I missed them last time they were here because I had done something like 5 shows in 4 days and just couldn't push myself to go to another show. Neil, I urge you to see this band. They are very much a psychedelic band but in drug terms--think heroin, not acid (not that I'm encouraging use of either). They have an amazing 1960's feel about them but don't really bring to mind any particular 60's band. With double drums and limited use of keyboards, the band's focus and greatest strength is the fact that they are first and foremost a guitar band. They create a wall of sound that is nothing like Phil Spector's vision. There is quite of bit of internal dissension in this band and they need some loving. The dissension did not hurt the music at all but probably impacted the feel of the show. The bands choice of guitars is very interesting--vintage Vox and the like. This is a band that really wants to please the audience and they did last night. I think the biggest problem this band is having is that really don't fit in with any bands garnering attention right now. Last night's show was an 18 and over (instead of the usual 21 and over) and most of the crowd seemed to be right in that 18-21 age group. The overall reaction from the crowd seemed to span from trance to some energy dancing and after seeing this band you will know why. It was nice to see such a great band that really is comfortable outside of the main stream and any other stream.
--Dem
Date: Mon Mar 24, 2003 4:17 pm
I'll encourage Ilene to do a more detailed review. Heidi has been urging me to see this band for quite a while now--and I missed them last time they were here because I had done something like 5 shows in 4 days and just couldn't push myself to go to another show. Neil, I urge you to see this band. They are very much a psychedelic band but in drug terms--think heroin, not acid (not that I'm encouraging use of either). They have an amazing 1960's feel about them but don't really bring to mind any particular 60's band. With double drums and limited use of keyboards, the band's focus and greatest strength is the fact that they are first and foremost a guitar band. They create a wall of sound that is nothing like Phil Spector's vision. There is quite of bit of internal dissension in this band and they need some loving. The dissension did not hurt the music at all but probably impacted the feel of the show. The bands choice of guitars is very interesting--vintage Vox and the like. This is a band that really wants to please the audience and they did last night. I think the biggest problem this band is having is that really don't fit in with any bands garnering attention right now. Last night's show was an 18 and over (instead of the usual 21 and over) and most of the crowd seemed to be right in that 18-21 age group. The overall reaction from the crowd seemed to span from trance to some energy dancing and after seeing this band you will know why. It was nice to see such a great band that really is comfortable outside of the main stream and any other stream.
--Dem
Saturday, March 22, 2003
Godspeed-You Black Emporer
From: demhopkins
Date: Sat Mar 22, 2003 3:35 pm
Manicman--the co-founder of this group turned me on to Godspeed about two years ago. I immediately shared his affection for their music and, like manicman, found there were times that it was the only music I wanted to hear. They became a niche band for me. After purchasing tickets to see them weeks ago (all 3 of their Chicago shows sold out) I worried that I wouldn't be into "their type of music" on a Friday night when I am used to a little more up-beat type of partying. Foolish me.
Last night Godspeed did a two hour show and then came back for an encore. It ranks as one of the fastest two+ hour shows that I have ever seen. Brilliance doesn't begin to describe what they did last night. Ten musicians (craftsmen seems more appropriate) layered a sound that reflected a single theme--Hope. The video behind them was in amazing sync with the music--even when presented in a scratchy old-movie type format. The concert began and ended with the word "Hope" slowly strobing across the screen. Their restrained use of feedback is something that any band attempting to incorporate feedback should study. It was never superfluous and always led into one of the great music swells that so defines this band. Two hours of music without a single word with the swells and lulls that never failed to hold ones attention. Many bands can own a room--but few can transform a room into an intimate setting where the crowd displays the type of respect that is usually reserved for occasions when we are with people we truly love. Two hours without a single word and I can't believe that anybody left the show not feeling that they really knew this band in terms of the music and the personalities behind the music. I am hoping Ilene will write more about the music itself--she has seen them once before and had more of an idea what to expect. What I saw was a band that was completely focused and had naturally incorporated strings, keyboards, guitar and drums (among other instrumental effects) into music that covered rock, gypsy/traditional, prog, classical, and the list could go on. This is the band that every "jam band" should strive to be--but it is a completely unfair analogy because this is by no means a jam band (much to focused and professional for sloppy play) and yet a friend, who did not know there music, was as completely caught up in their 15-20 minute pieces as those in the crowd who worshipped the band before arriving for this show.
I left knowing that this was the best show I have seen in quite a while--even better than Interpol in an intimate setting. But then I realized that the comparison is ridiculous. I don't think there is another band around today who is doing what Godspeed is doing--and, if so, certainly not on this level. The show made me realize that the occasional prodding from bands and critics to play certain recordings at maximum level isn't always a bunch of bullshit.
In the future, I will push my sound system as hard as I can when I listen to this band. Godspeed did do an encore and it seemed as if it was a decision they made because of the tragic bloodshed taking place in Iraq. The band finally spoke when they retook the stage. I am paraphrasing—they said:
Tonight there is a young man from Georgia who just bought a house and has furniture and a big screen TV that he is paying for on time standing in a desert and he isn't sure why. And tonight there is an Iraqi mother sitting in her house next to the body of her dead daughter wondering how to get her out of the house and buried. That was all they had to say. The crowd slowly responded and like Godspeed's music the applause swelled. It was a evening about HOPE--and at the end of the show it was specifically about the hope that we never again have to live through the brutality of bombs dropping and people killing each other as a means of communication.
--Dem
Date: Sat Mar 22, 2003 3:35 pm
Manicman--the co-founder of this group turned me on to Godspeed about two years ago. I immediately shared his affection for their music and, like manicman, found there were times that it was the only music I wanted to hear. They became a niche band for me. After purchasing tickets to see them weeks ago (all 3 of their Chicago shows sold out) I worried that I wouldn't be into "their type of music" on a Friday night when I am used to a little more up-beat type of partying. Foolish me.
Last night Godspeed did a two hour show and then came back for an encore. It ranks as one of the fastest two+ hour shows that I have ever seen. Brilliance doesn't begin to describe what they did last night. Ten musicians (craftsmen seems more appropriate) layered a sound that reflected a single theme--Hope. The video behind them was in amazing sync with the music--even when presented in a scratchy old-movie type format. The concert began and ended with the word "Hope" slowly strobing across the screen. Their restrained use of feedback is something that any band attempting to incorporate feedback should study. It was never superfluous and always led into one of the great music swells that so defines this band. Two hours of music without a single word with the swells and lulls that never failed to hold ones attention. Many bands can own a room--but few can transform a room into an intimate setting where the crowd displays the type of respect that is usually reserved for occasions when we are with people we truly love. Two hours without a single word and I can't believe that anybody left the show not feeling that they really knew this band in terms of the music and the personalities behind the music. I am hoping Ilene will write more about the music itself--she has seen them once before and had more of an idea what to expect. What I saw was a band that was completely focused and had naturally incorporated strings, keyboards, guitar and drums (among other instrumental effects) into music that covered rock, gypsy/traditional, prog, classical, and the list could go on. This is the band that every "jam band" should strive to be--but it is a completely unfair analogy because this is by no means a jam band (much to focused and professional for sloppy play) and yet a friend, who did not know there music, was as completely caught up in their 15-20 minute pieces as those in the crowd who worshipped the band before arriving for this show.
I left knowing that this was the best show I have seen in quite a while--even better than Interpol in an intimate setting. But then I realized that the comparison is ridiculous. I don't think there is another band around today who is doing what Godspeed is doing--and, if so, certainly not on this level. The show made me realize that the occasional prodding from bands and critics to play certain recordings at maximum level isn't always a bunch of bullshit.
In the future, I will push my sound system as hard as I can when I listen to this band. Godspeed did do an encore and it seemed as if it was a decision they made because of the tragic bloodshed taking place in Iraq. The band finally spoke when they retook the stage. I am paraphrasing—they said:
Tonight there is a young man from Georgia who just bought a house and has furniture and a big screen TV that he is paying for on time standing in a desert and he isn't sure why. And tonight there is an Iraqi mother sitting in her house next to the body of her dead daughter wondering how to get her out of the house and buried. That was all they had to say. The crowd slowly responded and like Godspeed's music the applause swelled. It was a evening about HOPE--and at the end of the show it was specifically about the hope that we never again have to live through the brutality of bombs dropping and people killing each other as a means of communication.
--Dem
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