From: demhopkins
Date: Wed Apr 30, 2003 9:52 am
TOD took the stage last Thursday to a sold-out Metro crowd. It was a big step for them to sell out this venue. They brought some of their own lighting and amid lights and smoke (dry ice to keep them cool in a very warm room--not full smoke effect) they immediately felt the love from the crowd. Conrad's guitar work was perfect and he exhibited much more confidence working the stage than I have seen of him in past shows. Jason's drumming was, as always, amazing to watch and even more powerful than at previous shows. Unfortunately, when Jason took the mic and Conrad moved to drums--Jason's material was lacking something. Story has it that Jason had tied one on earlier in the day and although he was sober for the show--it had taken its toll on him. Because his material is much more hard-core, the crowd didn't seem to mind him being a little off--and to the large group of people seeing the band for the first time, it was probably unnoticeable. The show confirmed the obvious--Conrad is a much better guitarist than Jason and Jason is a much better drummer. But the switch-offs keep the show very interesting and allow the band added dimensions it would not otherwise have. The new material from the EP is very strong live. I had heard some critcism of it as being weaker than Source Tags from college radio stations--but I didn't feel that at all when they performed the new stuff. The band has a much bigger sound going on and that seems to be the trend with all of our bands with each show. Also, much more interplay among band members than last show--where interplay was pretty confined to Jason and Conrad. For all that they have grown since I saw them 10 months ago--there is still a rawness and edge to their material that I hope they never lose. I hear a lot of people discussing the fact that our new crop of bands are excellent musically but lack the edge that the initial punk bands had. I agree with this for the most part--but TOD seemed like the exception to me and still do. It was their edge that turned what would have been a very good performance into a memorable one for me. Can't wait to see them again.
--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
Wednesday, April 30, 2003
Tuesday, April 01, 2003
Ikara Colt/Spoon
From: demhopkins
Date: Tue Apr 1, 2003 3:04 am
Couldn't stay for Rocket from the Crypt last night--because I hate them. Ikara Colt was the show. I hadn't even found Ilene yet in the crowd when I heard her scream when Ikara Colt said they were kinda locked in to a short set because they were low on the bill. Ilene fills the room with "No way--we have been waiting 6 months for you to play here." My friend Ed and I followed with "you should be headlining." The band loved it and thanked us from stage. Watching a room full of people who really don't know this band get into them was a thrill. After their set I stayed through Sahara Hotnights only because I was looking for the band members from Ikara to thank them. Couldn't find them so we left the club and went to the bar next door to drink. About an hour later, Ikara Colt appears on the street doing some photos. We ran out of the bar screaming Ikara Colt. They turned toward us--perhaps out of fear. It was some of the most fun chat I have had with a band yet. They so much want to please--and on this US tour they need some affection. It is a shitty bill. The show itself--I expected to see a talented but mopey front man (think Mark E. Smith) and instead I'm staring at the new Iggy. Fucking flawless in concert and what a charming band. Spoon tonight was very generous in delivering new material. It is still the best pop around but they have added an edge that I haven't seen or heard from them before tonight. The new material (both songwriting and performance) reminded me of seeing Costello on the This Years Model tour. As wiped as I am feeling--Spoon did it. The band that played before Spoon tonight deserves nothing less than death--I even called the club so Ilene and I could miss them—but the club lied to me about set times and we were stuck with their entire performance. I would say it was "bad Neil Diamond" but that would be redundant. It sounded like just like Neil Diamond—fucking awful!!
--Dem
Date: Tue Apr 1, 2003 3:04 am
Couldn't stay for Rocket from the Crypt last night--because I hate them. Ikara Colt was the show. I hadn't even found Ilene yet in the crowd when I heard her scream when Ikara Colt said they were kinda locked in to a short set because they were low on the bill. Ilene fills the room with "No way--we have been waiting 6 months for you to play here." My friend Ed and I followed with "you should be headlining." The band loved it and thanked us from stage. Watching a room full of people who really don't know this band get into them was a thrill. After their set I stayed through Sahara Hotnights only because I was looking for the band members from Ikara to thank them. Couldn't find them so we left the club and went to the bar next door to drink. About an hour later, Ikara Colt appears on the street doing some photos. We ran out of the bar screaming Ikara Colt. They turned toward us--perhaps out of fear. It was some of the most fun chat I have had with a band yet. They so much want to please--and on this US tour they need some affection. It is a shitty bill. The show itself--I expected to see a talented but mopey front man (think Mark E. Smith) and instead I'm staring at the new Iggy. Fucking flawless in concert and what a charming band. Spoon tonight was very generous in delivering new material. It is still the best pop around but they have added an edge that I haven't seen or heard from them before tonight. The new material (both songwriting and performance) reminded me of seeing Costello on the This Years Model tour. As wiped as I am feeling--Spoon did it. The band that played before Spoon tonight deserves nothing less than death--I even called the club so Ilene and I could miss them—but the club lied to me about set times and we were stuck with their entire performance. I would say it was "bad Neil Diamond" but that would be redundant. It sounded like just like Neil Diamond—fucking awful!!
--Dem
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