From: dem
Date: Mon Oct 27, 2003 6:27 pm
I got to the Knitting Factory in time to catch Dance Disaster Movement. Two guys, all in white, one on drums and the other on keyboards/synth. The music is definitely dance and the lead man--keyboardist never let the crowd forget it. definitely not my type of music but they did keep my attention. All loops are done live on stage--nothing is canned. Good beats, good loops, good drumming made it OK. Others seemed to like it much more.
PRETTY GIRLS MAKE GRAVES: I went in liking this band but not crazy about them. I left liking them very, very much and looking forward to seeing them again. PGMG understand CMJ and they spent the week promoing their show and making friends everywhere they went. The place was packed beyond anything I have ever experienced and the thought of death by fire was on my mind. Andrea is the most likeable singer I have seen in awhile. This band is no act and neither is she. Everything they do is so authentic. They immediately connect
with the crowd and deliver the goods. Tight set with more biting power than I expected. The bands name has always put me off some. Andrea has a style truly her own as she delivers the lyrics with a grace rarely seen outside of jazz and makes sure every word and emotion is felt. The band sparkles throughout. Of all the performers I saw at CMJ--this is the band I would most like to hang out with, especially Andrea, who by the time she left the stage had managed to personally touch every one in the room with her charm. This band
rocks both in music and lyrics. Intelligent but not snooty. Probably more CMJers with badges at this show than any other I attended. My second favorite performance of the marathon.
YOUNG PEOPLE: They followed PGMG and were so bloody awful I beg anybody in this group who likes them, for the love of God--tell me why. A horrible snooty woman behind the drums does the vocals as she taps the drums with one hand accompanied by two irritating shoe-gazing guitarists. Lyrics range from The Man Who Got Away (kinda) to other babble. The packed house is now about 1/3 full (thank God for room to breathe) and the few left are tired and not in the mood to be polite to this act. This insufferable woman leaves the drum to play the bass--but doesn't know how to plug it in and the show stalls. She then proves she can't play bass either. They mercifully do a short set. I guess this is some kind of art rock--lacking any artistic merit and never rocking.
THE GOSSIP: The crowd who had disappeared for Young People came back in force for The Gossip. Beth fronts this band (an Arkansas girl with a voice not to be believed). The band was not tight--stopping between each song to decide what to play next. The songs are short and the musicianship is acceptable, not stellar. But Beth's voice makes it all okay. She complains a little about being tired and playing at 8:00 in the morning--but she delivers the goods throughout the set. The crowd loves it even though it is 8 o'clock in the morning and everybody is ragged and exhausted. Beth dances with more energy than anybody should have at this end of this marathon and we dance with her, knowing it is the end. She is nothing less than brilliant. Unfortunately, I don't feel that way about the guitarist and drummer backing her up. The best female voice I have heard among our bands deserves better backing. The music is derivative of itself--only Beth's voice and her presence keeps it completely satisfying throughout the set. Yeah, I'd see them again in a minute--but don't think I'll find complete satisfaction in what they do until they either add a guitarist or Beth finds a new backing band.
--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, October 27, 2003
CMJ: The Cooper Temple Clause
From: dem
Date: Mon Oct 27, 2003 10:59 am
From the minute the words "Did you miss me" filled a packed Irving Plaza, this band owned the room. I came to the show loving them--and left somewhere beyond loving them. I don't know of any band today incorporating so many influences and doing it so well. Liz mentioned a while back that the great bands now still seem to be missing the edge that the bands had in the 1970s--not The Coopers who have an edge to everything they do. The keyboards and synths are done to perfection. As an avowed 2 guitar and drum kind of guy overall, anything added has to be done very well to impress me. The possibilities that The Coopers naturally see and incorporate into their brand of rock and roll very much impressed me. While a number of bands seem to be reinventing themselves or modifying their sound for CMJ (e.g. Jet), TCTC featured the full range of what they do. "Musicbox" was beautiful and in its lulls as powerful as anything TCTC has ever done. Ben Gautrey's vocals are my favorite in rock n roll today. With the added vocals of Daniel, the harmonies continued to haunt me long after the show ended. TCTC can bring it down to just a harmonica and Ben's voice and transport you to a smoky cabaret room in feel and performance--the room hushed. The ability to bring the music to a
Gavin Friday type lounge sound and immediately come back with power I have rarely felt since Killing Jokes very first shows so long ago amazed me. Back to keyboards and synths--beyond the lush orchestrations that were added to the music, watching Kieran and Tom play the boards and turn the knobs was a show unto itself--exciting with a sense of adventure that recalled Eno's days with Roxy. What should be a hodge-podge of music is so carefully crafted and then woven into something that feels completely original to me--in spite of the many obvious influences. The live performance is so much bigger than the two magnificent CDs. Ben delivers a lyric filled with venom, all with a knowing smile and then steps back momentarily to catch a breath. The music continues with cold, calculated certainty that continues to warm the room in the most intimate way. As the show ends, the jaded crowd (not jaded people--just so many bands to see) continues to applaud well after the band leaves the stage inn spite of knowing there will be no encore. Total appreciation for a job very well done. In 1972, Roxy Music was the band that changed my life and perception of what rock and roll could be. I have a feeling that
TCTC might be doing that for some other teenager right now. My favorite show of the year without question. The two bands that created huge buzz for themselves (from feedback I got at the CMJ conference and later shows were TCTC and British Sea Power. I stayed at Irving and listened to one song from Longwave. No disrespect to them at all--but after TCTC nothing would have worked for me so I left and walked the 3 miles back to my hotel happy in my numbness. Sir Neil, if TCTC isn't back on US soil soon (they could only get a 3 day work VISA to come here--I guess they have some problems to work out like the Libs did)--you may be seeing me in the UK soon. I've got to see this band again--one hour was just not enough.
--Dem
Date: Mon Oct 27, 2003 10:59 am
From the minute the words "Did you miss me" filled a packed Irving Plaza, this band owned the room. I came to the show loving them--and left somewhere beyond loving them. I don't know of any band today incorporating so many influences and doing it so well. Liz mentioned a while back that the great bands now still seem to be missing the edge that the bands had in the 1970s--not The Coopers who have an edge to everything they do. The keyboards and synths are done to perfection. As an avowed 2 guitar and drum kind of guy overall, anything added has to be done very well to impress me. The possibilities that The Coopers naturally see and incorporate into their brand of rock and roll very much impressed me. While a number of bands seem to be reinventing themselves or modifying their sound for CMJ (e.g. Jet), TCTC featured the full range of what they do. "Musicbox" was beautiful and in its lulls as powerful as anything TCTC has ever done. Ben Gautrey's vocals are my favorite in rock n roll today. With the added vocals of Daniel, the harmonies continued to haunt me long after the show ended. TCTC can bring it down to just a harmonica and Ben's voice and transport you to a smoky cabaret room in feel and performance--the room hushed. The ability to bring the music to a
Gavin Friday type lounge sound and immediately come back with power I have rarely felt since Killing Jokes very first shows so long ago amazed me. Back to keyboards and synths--beyond the lush orchestrations that were added to the music, watching Kieran and Tom play the boards and turn the knobs was a show unto itself--exciting with a sense of adventure that recalled Eno's days with Roxy. What should be a hodge-podge of music is so carefully crafted and then woven into something that feels completely original to me--in spite of the many obvious influences. The live performance is so much bigger than the two magnificent CDs. Ben delivers a lyric filled with venom, all with a knowing smile and then steps back momentarily to catch a breath. The music continues with cold, calculated certainty that continues to warm the room in the most intimate way. As the show ends, the jaded crowd (not jaded people--just so many bands to see) continues to applaud well after the band leaves the stage inn spite of knowing there will be no encore. Total appreciation for a job very well done. In 1972, Roxy Music was the band that changed my life and perception of what rock and roll could be. I have a feeling that
TCTC might be doing that for some other teenager right now. My favorite show of the year without question. The two bands that created huge buzz for themselves (from feedback I got at the CMJ conference and later shows were TCTC and British Sea Power. I stayed at Irving and listened to one song from Longwave. No disrespect to them at all--but after TCTC nothing would have worked for me so I left and walked the 3 miles back to my hotel happy in my numbness. Sir Neil, if TCTC isn't back on US soil soon (they could only get a 3 day work VISA to come here--I guess they have some problems to work out like the Libs did)--you may be seeing me in the UK soon. I've got to see this band again--one hour was just not enough.
--Dem
Sunday, October 26, 2003
CMJ Reviews: TCTC, PGMG and The Gossip
From: dem
Date: Sun Oct 26, 2003 7:16 pm
I took brief notes throughout the shows at CMJ and will post from them tomorrow. I'll send separate messages so you can read about the bands you care about. Neil, the idea to take notes was good—and trying to decipher them is turning out to be priceless. I stayed up from Saturday morning through my flight out Sunday around 10:30 and must get sleep. One last note on The Carlsonics. It was the only band at CMJ that impressed me enough to buy their CD (a lot of the bands I already own their releases). The shrink wrap has a sticker on it that impressed me in so many ways. It is a quote from Tony Fletcher, author of Keith Moon: A Biography. He says "The Carlsonics sound like -----, move like ------ and rock like The -------." The Carlsonics obviously don't like being compared to other bands so they blacked out (with magic marker) all the other band references. I guess I'll never know who Fletcher compared them to--but I like that The Carlsonics want the listener to take them as they are without comparisons. I haven't had a chance to spin their disc yet but it is top priority tomorrow.
--Dem
Date: Sun Oct 26, 2003 7:16 pm
I took brief notes throughout the shows at CMJ and will post from them tomorrow. I'll send separate messages so you can read about the bands you care about. Neil, the idea to take notes was good—and trying to decipher them is turning out to be priceless. I stayed up from Saturday morning through my flight out Sunday around 10:30 and must get sleep. One last note on The Carlsonics. It was the only band at CMJ that impressed me enough to buy their CD (a lot of the bands I already own their releases). The shrink wrap has a sticker on it that impressed me in so many ways. It is a quote from Tony Fletcher, author of Keith Moon: A Biography. He says "The Carlsonics sound like -----, move like ------ and rock like The -------." The Carlsonics obviously don't like being compared to other bands so they blacked out (with magic marker) all the other band references. I guess I'll never know who Fletcher compared them to--but I like that The Carlsonics want the listener to take them as they are without comparisons. I haven't had a chance to spin their disc yet but it is top priority tomorrow.
--Dem
The Carlsonics at CMJ
From: dem
Date: Sun Oct 26, 2003 7:02 pm
I saw them play the daystage on Friday afternoon. This is a five-piece out of D.C. (3 guitars, drum, front man). This band was my favorite "new" dicovery at CMJ. The front man is the most unlikely rock star--preppy, boyish enthusiasm and a dorkish kind of movement that charmed the crowd (along with his blond bowl-like haircut). Pop music with some hard edges and throughout the performance (30 minutes) a great sense of humor. The woman on base added occasional backing that caught everyone off guard. Expecting a little-girl voice and getting a growl is always cool. These are very talented musicians and the occasional tendency to play solos really worked for them. The front man (sorry, I'm to zonked to find his name) knows he has a great band and took pleasure in sharing the stage with them and letting them have time in the spotlight while he watched from the side of the stage before reclaiming his place with his bouncing, pogoish movement that always looked like he was as likely to fall over as land on his feet. Songs like Ice People, I Dig the Bushwack, Senator Rudge and the Clap Division, and Tonight We Dine on Fumes as well as their fine performance should get this band some attention.
--Dem
Date: Sun Oct 26, 2003 7:02 pm
I saw them play the daystage on Friday afternoon. This is a five-piece out of D.C. (3 guitars, drum, front man). This band was my favorite "new" dicovery at CMJ. The front man is the most unlikely rock star--preppy, boyish enthusiasm and a dorkish kind of movement that charmed the crowd (along with his blond bowl-like haircut). Pop music with some hard edges and throughout the performance (30 minutes) a great sense of humor. The woman on base added occasional backing that caught everyone off guard. Expecting a little-girl voice and getting a growl is always cool. These are very talented musicians and the occasional tendency to play solos really worked for them. The front man (sorry, I'm to zonked to find his name) knows he has a great band and took pleasure in sharing the stage with them and letting them have time in the spotlight while he watched from the side of the stage before reclaiming his place with his bouncing, pogoish movement that always looked like he was as likely to fall over as land on his feet. Songs like Ice People, I Dig the Bushwack, Senator Rudge and the Clap Division, and Tonight We Dine on Fumes as well as their fine performance should get this band some attention.
--Dem
Saturday, October 25, 2003
CMJ Reviews -- NMM NYC
Got to NYC at 4 PM Thursday. I hadn't heard from The Bamboo Kids and needed to reach them to get a CMJ badge. Karma is amazing. I walked into the lobby of my hotel and there was Chris from BKs standing there talking to Heidi's UK photographer friend in the lobby. Turns out he was staying at the same hotel (very eerie). First show was a few hours later at Irving Plaza.
BILLY TALENT:
A 4-piece out of Toronto with a total poseur front man. They actually made The Used look not-so-bad. The screeching front man should be shot but bullets would not kill his ego. The music consisted of attacking music critics and tradition Someone called him a sellout and his brilliant response was "sell-out, fuck shit pussy." I have no idea what that was meant to mean. Definitely my nominee for worst voice of the year. Just crap--avoid at all costs.
STORY OF THE YEAR:
See above--marginally better but still total shit pseudo-hardcore. Who booked these bad hardcore acts to open for Jet.
JET: Awesome. They came on strong as compared to the Grand Rapids show opening with Cold Hard Bitch. None of the slow stuff until two-thirds through the set when they did On the Radio. The crowd was into them immediately (it was a 92 cent show and scalpers were asking $75 in front of the venue. I'm running out of time so will write more later.
--Dem
BILLY TALENT:
A 4-piece out of Toronto with a total poseur front man. They actually made The Used look not-so-bad. The screeching front man should be shot but bullets would not kill his ego. The music consisted of attacking music critics and tradition Someone called him a sellout and his brilliant response was "sell-out, fuck shit pussy." I have no idea what that was meant to mean. Definitely my nominee for worst voice of the year. Just crap--avoid at all costs.
STORY OF THE YEAR:
See above--marginally better but still total shit pseudo-hardcore. Who booked these bad hardcore acts to open for Jet.
JET: Awesome. They came on strong as compared to the Grand Rapids show opening with Cold Hard Bitch. None of the slow stuff until two-thirds through the set when they did On the Radio. The crowd was into them immediately (it was a 92 cent show and scalpers were asking $75 in front of the venue. I'm running out of time so will write more later.
--Dem
Tuesday, October 21, 2003
Leeds - a bit late
From: suzel
Date: Tue Oct 21, 2003 1:00 pm
i wanted to give you a feedback of Leeds. I spent a week in london before the big carling festivals. In london, I only saw one band, The Prosaïcs. Has anybody ever written about them? I had the feeling I already knew this name. The venue, The Metro, was small, very small and the sound wasn't great. But The Prosaïcs managed to deal with it greatly. We didn't stay for the second band which was pretty lame. I couldn't say much more cuz my attention was often disturbed. :p
Then Leeds... great, excellent.. i didn't see as many bands as last year cuz our crew was big (8 persons) so we were constantly looking for the others. But my highlights have been first : Calla. Beautiful, awesome, brilliant: my new fave band !!! They tour in Europe again at the moment. They supported Interpol so some of you might have seen them. I also really enjoyed Franz Ferdinand and The Hiss. For the Hiss, some of their songs sound a bit Datsuns to me and others are beautiful ballads. I really advise you to check their record. Franz Ferdinand has really 2 types of songs, according to what i felt during the 30 minutes they played. Some songs really sound 80s coldwave and others nearly heavy metal. My main disappointment came from the YYYs. I was waiting for the gig for over 1 year (which partly explains my disappointment maybe). Anyway, Karen's voice wasn’t right. She was more screaming than singing her lyrics... maybe too much champagne or tension or both ??! Oh and i saw one song by McLusky but we had to leave for Interpol. I hate to have to chose but this time the decision was made!! Interpol was brilliant.. ok, i have a totally biaised opinion but!!!! it was really their best gig i've seen.The crowd was singing the words with Paul, on songs like the Specialist, which isnt on the album. Paul was less static.. He even grab the mike !! come on boy !!! lol They were all enjoying the gig as we could noticed some smiles from time to time. i guess the area of Leeds gathers a lot of their fans. Manchester isnt far ;-)
British Sea Power were as usual: mad.. doing crazy things like climbing at the top of the tent with a guitar in one hand and a piece of wood in the other...They played 2 nites in Leeds. The second was the music of a documentary which was broadcasted on the sides of the stage. this was a great experience, worth missing the Polyphonic Spree.
the whole weekend is a bit far away now so sorry if i cant give you more details about the bands i saw.
But i met The Bamboo Kids in the most amazing circumstances. We were in the guest area with my friends. one of my friend who was with Eric (Interpol) has been introduced to Dee and Vince by him. I guess they had a business together ;-). Then she came to ask me to play a game with them.. . when I arrived we begin to talk and suddenly discovered we knew each other thanks to you Dem! i guess i pronounced "i cant believe it" about 100 times .. same for "it's incredible!" .. Anyway, I'm sorry for the guys, we couldn't help them as we had no tent. Actually we decided to go to Leeds on thursday and the festival begin on friday. We had nothing prepared and without Martin, a friend of the organization crew, we wouldn't have had tix and tents.. So we couldn't help them for the beds. :-(
We were happy to notice they were alive the next day when we left. I hope they managed to get contacts for a future european tour.
oh before i forget, check also Jeffrey Lewis .. he reminds me of Beck when he was young.. nothing amazing but a certain talent for doin a pretty good song with 2 chords and a voice.. http://www.thejeffreylewissite.com/ .. his lyrics are often funny like "last time i was on acid, i became insane" or "dont let the record label take you out to lunch" .. he signed on rough trade and did a great song about it. The site is under construction though :( oh and he has a huge talent in drawing.. all the drawings you'll see about him are his own.. and he does videos with them.. but that's another story...
--Suzel
PS: Catpower (thursday), Calla, The Warlocks, Franck Black and probably
many others soon :))))
Pss: sorry, I really dislike the Darkness' music...the funny thing is that everybody told us to check them during Leeds even though they admitted they didn’t like their music... They're said to be awesome on stage... Hot Hot Heat aren’t that great on stage...good pop songs.
Date: Tue Oct 21, 2003 1:00 pm
i wanted to give you a feedback of Leeds. I spent a week in london before the big carling festivals. In london, I only saw one band, The Prosaïcs. Has anybody ever written about them? I had the feeling I already knew this name. The venue, The Metro, was small, very small and the sound wasn't great. But The Prosaïcs managed to deal with it greatly. We didn't stay for the second band which was pretty lame. I couldn't say much more cuz my attention was often disturbed. :p
Then Leeds... great, excellent.. i didn't see as many bands as last year cuz our crew was big (8 persons) so we were constantly looking for the others. But my highlights have been first : Calla. Beautiful, awesome, brilliant: my new fave band !!! They tour in Europe again at the moment. They supported Interpol so some of you might have seen them. I also really enjoyed Franz Ferdinand and The Hiss. For the Hiss, some of their songs sound a bit Datsuns to me and others are beautiful ballads. I really advise you to check their record. Franz Ferdinand has really 2 types of songs, according to what i felt during the 30 minutes they played. Some songs really sound 80s coldwave and others nearly heavy metal. My main disappointment came from the YYYs. I was waiting for the gig for over 1 year (which partly explains my disappointment maybe). Anyway, Karen's voice wasn’t right. She was more screaming than singing her lyrics... maybe too much champagne or tension or both ??! Oh and i saw one song by McLusky but we had to leave for Interpol. I hate to have to chose but this time the decision was made!! Interpol was brilliant.. ok, i have a totally biaised opinion but!!!! it was really their best gig i've seen.The crowd was singing the words with Paul, on songs like the Specialist, which isnt on the album. Paul was less static.. He even grab the mike !! come on boy !!! lol They were all enjoying the gig as we could noticed some smiles from time to time. i guess the area of Leeds gathers a lot of their fans. Manchester isnt far ;-)
British Sea Power were as usual: mad.. doing crazy things like climbing at the top of the tent with a guitar in one hand and a piece of wood in the other...They played 2 nites in Leeds. The second was the music of a documentary which was broadcasted on the sides of the stage. this was a great experience, worth missing the Polyphonic Spree.
the whole weekend is a bit far away now so sorry if i cant give you more details about the bands i saw.
But i met The Bamboo Kids in the most amazing circumstances. We were in the guest area with my friends. one of my friend who was with Eric (Interpol) has been introduced to Dee and Vince by him. I guess they had a business together ;-). Then she came to ask me to play a game with them.. . when I arrived we begin to talk and suddenly discovered we knew each other thanks to you Dem! i guess i pronounced "i cant believe it" about 100 times .. same for "it's incredible!" .. Anyway, I'm sorry for the guys, we couldn't help them as we had no tent. Actually we decided to go to Leeds on thursday and the festival begin on friday. We had nothing prepared and without Martin, a friend of the organization crew, we wouldn't have had tix and tents.. So we couldn't help them for the beds. :-(
We were happy to notice they were alive the next day when we left. I hope they managed to get contacts for a future european tour.
oh before i forget, check also Jeffrey Lewis .. he reminds me of Beck when he was young.. nothing amazing but a certain talent for doin a pretty good song with 2 chords and a voice.. http://www.thejeffreylewissite.com/ .. his lyrics are often funny like "last time i was on acid, i became insane" or "dont let the record label take you out to lunch" .. he signed on rough trade and did a great song about it. The site is under construction though :( oh and he has a huge talent in drawing.. all the drawings you'll see about him are his own.. and he does videos with them.. but that's another story...
--Suzel
PS: Catpower (thursday), Calla, The Warlocks, Franck Black and probably
many others soon :))))
Pss: sorry, I really dislike the Darkness' music...the funny thing is that everybody told us to check them during Leeds even though they admitted they didn’t like their music... They're said to be awesome on stage... Hot Hot Heat aren’t that great on stage...good pop songs.
Wednesday, October 15, 2003
Mars Volta / Saul Williams
From: demhopkins
Date: Wed Oct 15, 2003 11:07 am
Saul Williams, the poet, opened for Mars Volta. It was my first time seeing him live and he, alone, was worth the price of admission. Powerful words (with what some describe as a hip hop delivery) that hushed a packed house. The politic of his work comes from things that are so personal to him. Don't miss him if you get the chance. Mars Volta gave the crowd a solid, sometimes brilliant, 2 hour show. Early sound problems pissed off Cedric and he commented that the Riviera Theater was "a beautiful place but the people working here are assholes." Sound got worked out but was never as good as the band deserved. I don't hear as much "prog" as I thought I did when I first listened to the CD. A lot of funk and Latin rhythms--great keyboard. They played Comatorium pretty much straight through. Omar and Cedric have yet to write their masterpiece and have yet to perfect their stage show. But both the CD and last night's show were excellent. I expect that I will enjoy the CD more now that I have seen them (I hope) but I will also wish that it would change with each listen to incorporate what Omar and the band do on stage.
--Dem
Date: Wed Oct 15, 2003 11:07 am
Saul Williams, the poet, opened for Mars Volta. It was my first time seeing him live and he, alone, was worth the price of admission. Powerful words (with what some describe as a hip hop delivery) that hushed a packed house. The politic of his work comes from things that are so personal to him. Don't miss him if you get the chance. Mars Volta gave the crowd a solid, sometimes brilliant, 2 hour show. Early sound problems pissed off Cedric and he commented that the Riviera Theater was "a beautiful place but the people working here are assholes." Sound got worked out but was never as good as the band deserved. I don't hear as much "prog" as I thought I did when I first listened to the CD. A lot of funk and Latin rhythms--great keyboard. They played Comatorium pretty much straight through. Omar and Cedric have yet to write their masterpiece and have yet to perfect their stage show. But both the CD and last night's show were excellent. I expect that I will enjoy the CD more now that I have seen them (I hope) but I will also wish that it would change with each listen to incorporate what Omar and the band do on stage.
--Dem
Saturday, October 11, 2003
Scene Creamers
From: demhopkins
Date: Sat Oct 11, 2003 6:56 am
I know this is a band that you love or don't. The Scene Creamers show at Fireside last night just reaffirmed what I felt last March--they are my favorite touring band at this moment in time. Great new song "AK-47" to wrap up the show. If you dig the band you will love this show--if you don't dig the band you will love this show.
--Dem
Date: Sat Oct 11, 2003 6:56 am
I know this is a band that you love or don't. The Scene Creamers show at Fireside last night just reaffirmed what I felt last March--they are my favorite touring band at this moment in time. Great new song "AK-47" to wrap up the show. If you dig the band you will love this show--if you don't dig the band you will love this show.
--Dem
Wednesday, October 08, 2003
Polyphonic Spree
From: demhopkins
Date: Wed Oct 8, 2003 11:00 am
Corn Mo opened. He was named as funniest new musician by Village Voice but he was profoundly unfunny and over-miced last night. Starlight Mints were less than I was expecting. Sometimes very on-the-mark with their 1960's Kinks derivative tunes but other songs just completely missed--usually because the band was overly cute with them. It was PS' last leg of the tour with the Mints and Corn Mo. Hollywood Films was recording their show and cameras and equipment were everywhere. Bright pin-spots from the stage blinded the crowd and it looked like our comfort and enjoyment of the show was being sacrificed for the sake of video. But, PS didn't let that happen.
Amazing show with songs extended into orgiastic excess and even repeated later in the show. The same love-in cultish crowd as last time and a very personal connection between the audience and the members of PS. Two hour set climaxing with Five Years (still the best version I've ever heard). But wait--there was more--the final song was from Hedwig—Wig in a Box--and the place was up for grabs!! A final short selection from the Harp player with the band all sitting on stage and listening. I never thought I would see a crowd at Metro so quietly listening to a Harp. Then screaming applause from an adoring crowd and the night was over. I still can't listen to the CD but am looking forward to the DVD that will be released from last night's show.
--Dem
Date: Wed Oct 8, 2003 11:00 am
Corn Mo opened. He was named as funniest new musician by Village Voice but he was profoundly unfunny and over-miced last night. Starlight Mints were less than I was expecting. Sometimes very on-the-mark with their 1960's Kinks derivative tunes but other songs just completely missed--usually because the band was overly cute with them. It was PS' last leg of the tour with the Mints and Corn Mo. Hollywood Films was recording their show and cameras and equipment were everywhere. Bright pin-spots from the stage blinded the crowd and it looked like our comfort and enjoyment of the show was being sacrificed for the sake of video. But, PS didn't let that happen.
Amazing show with songs extended into orgiastic excess and even repeated later in the show. The same love-in cultish crowd as last time and a very personal connection between the audience and the members of PS. Two hour set climaxing with Five Years (still the best version I've ever heard). But wait--there was more--the final song was from Hedwig—Wig in a Box--and the place was up for grabs!! A final short selection from the Harp player with the band all sitting on stage and listening. I never thought I would see a crowd at Metro so quietly listening to a Harp. Then screaming applause from an adoring crowd and the night was over. I still can't listen to the CD but am looking forward to the DVD that will be released from last night's show.
--Dem
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