[review] Operators @ the Vogue (8-9-2014)

Operators debut new jams in Indy 

This weekend, I ventured down to Nap Town to see Dan Boeckner’s new rock outfit, Operators, which opened for Future Islands at the Vogue on Saturday night. My road trip playlist consisted of Operator’s fresh EP1, Spoon’s new LP They Want My Soul, and Future Islands’ Singles (it was a rad mix!).

With Divine Fits on hiatus and Britt Daniel / Alex Fischel busy promoting Spoon’s new LP , Boeckner and Sam Brown are taking no breaks. Their new band consists of Boeckner on vocals/synth/guitar, Brown on drums, and Devojka (Macedonian singer/songwriter) on drum machine/synth/blips & boops. Since Operators had only released their 5-song EP a mere four days before the show, I was unsure what to anticipate. Based on their release, I was expecting a synth-driven, post-wave set, but what I heard was slightly different.

Operators kicked off their set with "Ancient", and immediately incited a dance party. Just listening to that track, how can you not want to groove? Songs that I recognized from their EP also included "Start Again", and "True" (which according to Devojka, is "written about sex so good, you think you’re in love"). Devojka's necklace broke during the performance of "True", and afterward she added, "and like good sex, sometimes your jewelry breaks..." The other songs of the night mostly featured Boeckner on guitar, and were definitely leaning more toward the Fugazi/punk influences that he hinted at in earlier interviews. I was slightly disappointed that "Book Of Love" made no appearance, but perhaps this song isn't ready for live shows yet.

While it was clear that the majority of attendees were there for Future Islands, it seemed that Operators wowed some Hoosiers into instant fandom. The energy during the set was at approaching level 11, and the trio authentically appeared to be having fun. Operators also seem to be tinkering with their sound (it’s only their 2nd show on this tour!). Taking a page from Fits band-mate Britt Daniel’s stage dress code, Boeckner donned a suit jacket for most of the show. However, toward the end, his trademark cut-off t-shirt made an appearance. Their quick 40 minute set left me hungering for more, and I’m already eagerly wishing for EP2 (if it exists).

The last song of the night reminded me of punk Springsteen (if such a thing doesn't exist, it does now). It was incredibly catchy, and a perfect send-off. Future Islands were expectedly fantastic, and the pairing of these two bands is an unbelievable gift from the rock gods. Please find a way to see this show if it happens to swing by a city near you.

Buy :: Operators - EP1

Pics :: Kristen Jackley @ NUVO

Operators Tour Dates
8/8 - Millvale, PA @ Mr. Small's Theatre w/ Future Islands * 
8/9 - Indianapolis, IN @ The Vogue w/ Future Islands
8/10 - Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall w/ Future Islands
8/11 - Sioux Falls, SD @ Latitude 44 w/ Future Islands
8/12 - Fort Collins, CO @ Aggie Theatre w/ Future Islands
8/13 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court
8/15 - Boise, ID @ Egyptian Theatre w/ Future Islands
8/16 - Portland, OR @ Doug FIr Lounge w/ Future Islands * 
8/18 - Sacramento, CA @ Harlow's w/ Future Islands * 
8/19 - Fresno, CA @ Star Palace w/ Future Islands
8/20 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Fonda Theatre w/ Future Islands
8/21 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Fonda Theatre w/ Future Islands * 
8/22 - San Diego, CA @ The Irenic w/ Future Islands * 
8/24 - Phoenix, AZ @ The Crescent Ballroom
8/25 - Tucson, AZ @ 191 Toole w/ Future Islands
8/27 - Denver, CO @ Gothic Theatre w/ Future Islands *  
8/28 - Omaha, NE @ The Waiting Room w/ Future Islands
8/29 - Des Moines, IA @ Wooly's w/ Future Islands
8/30 - Chicago, IL @ Schubas
8/31 - Columbus, OH @ The Big Bang w/ Future Islands
9/2 - Montreal, QC @ La Tulipe w/ Future Islands * 
9/3 - Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground Ballroom w/ Future Islands
9/4 - Portland, ME @ Port City Music Hall w/ Future Islands
9/7 - Toronto, ON @ Horshoe Tavern
9/10 - New York, NY @ Central Park Summerstage w/ Spoon
9/11 - Munhall, PA @ Carnegie Music Hall of Homestead w/ Spoon
9/13 - Hamilton, ON @ Supercrawl / FREE EVENT
10/23 - Halifax, NS @ Halifax Pop Explosion

* = SOLD OUT 

[review] Future Islands @ Pyramid Scheme (3-25-2014)

Future Islands in Grand Rapids

Last night, Future Islands treated Grand Rapids with a stellar live performance. This was the band’s second visit to the Pyramid Scheme (the first time in ’11 during Art Prize), only this show was in front of a sold out Tuesday night crowd. Michiganders welcomed the musical act with open arms, and the sentiment seemed to be deeply felt by the band. Last night also marked the release date of their newest LP, Singles, which created a celebratory atmosphere on stage.

Those in attendance – either long-time fans of the band or those just discovering them after their breakout appearance on Letterman – came away with an experience never to be forgotten. Future Islands showcased most of their new material, and peppered the set list with some of their classics. Kicking the night off with “Back in the Tall Grass”, attendees soon realized they were in for a night of entertainment. Lead singer Samual T. Herring sings with such conviction and emotion on stage, and tells honest tales of heartache and love. Each song was introduced with quick dialogue, setting the stage for what was to come. It's this simple act that connects the crowd with the passion behind Herring's croons. During the 16-song set, he channeled all the emotion on stage, and he served as a perfect foil to the rest of his bandmates. Stoically providing the rhythm and groove to the dance-worthy tunes were bassist William Cashion, keyboardist Gerrit Welmers, and drummer Michael Lowry.

This dramatic difference in stage presence between Herring and the rest of the band made it impossible to draw your attention away from his theatrics. Personifying heartache and love through Elvis-inspired hip gyrations and fist bumps to his very soul, listeners were directly connected to his beautifully-crafted stories. Herring stretched the very limits of his vocal cords on stage, which added emphasis at the perfect moments in songs. At times, Herring projected the voice of a death metal singer, and these guttural growls are part of what creates the uniqueness of Future Islands’ sound.

The songs from Singles received as many cheers from the audience as did the classics from On the Water and In the Evening. After some early encouragement from Herring, the Pyramid Scheme erupted into an all-out dance party. The band concluded the first set with a raucous version of "Long Flight", and later returned for a 3-song encore. The last song of the night was a torn-down version of "Little Dreamer" from Wave Like Home. Herring requested that the house lights be turned on so he could see the crowd more clearly. It was a perfect nightcap to an amazing show, and it sent everyone into the night with a new appreciation for the wonderful work that Future Islands has been crafting over the years.

This band is about to blow up, and this tour is going to continue building that wave of chatter. If these dudes are coming to a town near you, do yourself a favor and go to that show. You will not be disappointed.

:: Photos :: from the night by Anthony Norkus (here).

:: Buy :: Future Islands - Singles (vinyl) (CD) (cassette!)

Setlist: Future Islands @ Pyramid Scheme (3-25-2014)
Back in the Tall Grass
Sun in the Morning
Balance
Before the Bridge
A Dream of You and Me
Tin Man
Doves
A Song For Our Grandfathers
Seasons (Waiting On You)
Inch of Dust
Spirit
Walking Through That Door
Long Flight
Encore
Fall From Grace
Vireo's Eye
Little Dreamer

[review] Divine Fits @ Deluxe (10-26-2012)

Divine Fits in Indy

Ever since uprooting from Seattle and relocating to SW Michigan, seeing good live shows has become a bit of a challenge. Not that Chicago or Indianapolis are extremely far away, but it requires a bit more planning when "must see" shows swing through the area. But when I learned that Divine Fits would be playing the Deluxe in Indy on a Friday night, purchasing tickets was a no-brainer.

It had been nearly 8 years since seeing a show in the Circle City. I was happy to experience one of Indy's newer venues: the Deluxe is a nice, intimate stage room which resides inside the Old National Centre (formerly the Murat Theatre). There was a decently-sized crowd in attendance, even with Sleigh Bells playing the Vogue on the same night. Cold Cave kicked off the night with a really great show. Their dark, new-wave sound paired well with the main act's synth-driven catalog.

Readers of this blog will know that my favorite bands tend to revolve around Brit Daniel (Spoon) and Dan Boeckner (Wolf Parade, Handsome Furs). When Spoon covered "Modern World" during their set at The Moore in 2010, I remember saying "It can't get any better than this!" Friday night's show, however, would make me eat those words.

Seeing both Daniel and Boeckner walk out on stage together nearly invoked Worlds Collide Theory. It was so weird... but the feeling was short-lived once the band launched into a very powerful "Neopolitans". The first thing that popped into my mind was that these dudes are professionals. Having only finished recording their debut album a mere 3 months earlier, you would have sworn these guys had been practicing these songs for years. In fact, this was only the band's 23rd live performance! Another surprise was how great drummer Sam Brown's performance was all night. This dude was mesmerizing to watch, and his metronomic mechanics were both meticulous and masterful. Keyboardist Alex Fischel (dubbed by Daniel as "this generation’s Ansel Adams") rounded out the lineup.

Divine Fits played an extremely tight set (setlist posted below), covering nearly every song off their debut album A Thing Called Divine Fits. A few surprise covers were thrown in there, too. Tom Petty's "You Got Lucky", Rolling Stones' "Sway", and the Wipers' "Doom Town" all took on new life as the band added their own elements. Highlights of the night (apart from Tron in attendance) included the Daniel-Boecker duets during "Baby Get Worse" and "The Salton Sea", as well as the one-two encore punch of "Flaggin A Ride" and "For Your Heart".

All in all, this was a damn good show and totally worth the drive. The band has a handful of shows left on the US-leg of their tour before conquering Singapore, New Zealand, and Australia at the beginning of 2013. Be sure to catch them if you can!

Setlist: Divine Fits @ Deluxe (10-26-2012)
Neopolitans
Baby Get Worse
What Gets You Alone
The Salton Sea
Civilian Stripes
My Love Is Real
Doom Town (Wipers)
You Got Lucky (Tom Petty)
Like Ice Cream
What That Not Be Nice
Sway (Rolling Stones)
Shivers (Rowland S. Howard)
Encore:
Flaggin A Ride
For Your Heart

[review] Fleet Foxes @ Moore Theater (5-3-2011)

Fleet Foxes drop album / wow Seattle

The last time I had seen Fleet Foxes live was back in 2008 when they made their first ever appearance as a headliner at the Moore Theater. At the time, I remember the band was seemingly surprised yet humbled to have filled all the seats in the house. It was almost like they still hadn't bought into their fame, yet. The band even joked about this issue, saying that they'll probably have to play the Moore lobby next year. They couldn't have been more wrong.

After a near-two year hiatus, the Fleet Foxes have emerged from their den with an amazing follow-up to their '08 self-titled LP. According to P4K, their new album Helplessness Blues is rated at a very impressive 8.8 (vs. Fleet Foxes' 9.0). I only mention this because it becomes relevant later in this review. To celebrate the May 3 release of their sophomore record, Fleet Foxes treated Seattle with their very own home show/record release party at the Moore Theater. Unfortunately to some, the concert sold out in mere minutes, which prompted the band to host a second show on the preceding night.

Luckily, I was able to snag tickets for last night's show, and experienced one of the best concerts I've witnessed in my time here in Seattle. Best show? Well for that, you have to have the right ingredients, and for starters, you'd have to make sure the opener is equally loved and adored by Seattleites. The solution? Put The Cave Singers on the bill as stage support. As expected, the night got kicked off right with a 45-minute set from The Cave Singers. They played a lot off their new LP No Witch, and of course the classics like "At the Cut," "Shrine," "Leap," and "Dancing On Our Graves." The Cave Singers sounded as good as ever, and were able to get the home crowd fired up for the main event.

After a quick set change, Fleet Foxes entered the stage with a surprisingly new-found swagger. Something seemed different - maybe it was confidence - but I couldn't help by notice how reinvigorated they appeared. After introductions and quick romp through "The Cascades" and "Grown Oceans," we learned that May 3 not only marked the release of Helplessness Blues, but it also happened to be drummer Josh Tillman's and guitarist Skye Skjelset's birthdays. Last night's rowdy crowd promptly sang "Happy Birthday" upon learning this fun fact. Later in the night, a more formal celebration was performed when cupcakes & candles were brought on stage for the two bandmates, and again, "Happy Birthday" was sung by the 1500 fans in attendance.

As stated, the crowd was really into the show, and the band's in-between-song banter was quality comedy. A memorable moment came when some ass from the crowd yelled "Hey! Pitchfork called and said they want to suck your dick!" Tillman quickly quipped, "They can do that over the phone?" and lead singer Robin Pecknold added his two cents by stating "no, they actually dinged us 0.2 points... it's more like a hand job." The crowd began to snicker, but bassist Christian Wargo was sharp to remind Pecknold of their mothers' presence in the audience, which caused only an eruption of more laughter.

Fleet Foxes sounded simply amazing throughout the night, somehow being more impressive live than on record. Harmonies were in perfect pitch, and the addition of "flutist/bassist/violinist" Morgan Henderson (of Blood Brothers and Past Lives) added all the needed subtleties for the multi-textured FF sound. The band blasted through all the best tracks as if creating their very own live "greatest hits" compilation. Fleet Foxes nearly hit the 2-hour mark and ended the night with an encore performance of their new album's title track. A full set list is posted below, but highlights included older tracks like "Mykonos," "Ragged Wood," "White Winter Hymnal," and my favorite, "Blue Ridge Mountains," as well as the new tunes "Grown Ocean," Montezuma," "The Shrine / An Argument," and "Helplessness Blues."

It was hands-down one of the best shows I've ever seen in Seattle - truly majestic.

Set list: Fleet Foxes @ Moore Theater (5-3-2011)
01 :: The Cascades
02 :: Grown Ocean
03 :: Drops In The River
04 :: Battery Kinzie
05 :: Bedouin Dress
06 :: Sim Sala Bim
07 :: Mykonos
08 :: Your Protector
09 :: Tiger Mountain Peasant Song
10 :: White Winter Hymnal
11 :: Ragged Wood
12 :: Lorelai
13 :: Silver Dagger (Joan Baez cover)
14 :: Montezuma
15 :: He Doesn't Know Why
16 :: The Shrine /An Argument
17 :: Blue Spotted Tail
18 :: Blue Ridge Mountains
Encore
19 :: Helplessness Blues

BUY :: Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues (for only $3.99! $7.99)

While Fleet Foxes have no beef with file sharing, just buy it - it's 8 bucks.

[review] Lord Huron @ Tractor Tavern (4-10-2011)

Lord Huron Went Wild

One would think a rainy Sunday night in Seattle would bear a tepid crowd at the Tractor Tavern. Not the case. Those devoted fans who braved the weather were more than rewarded for their dedication. The Michigan natives (by-way-of Los Angeles) who play under the moniker Lord Huron performed to an eager crowd last night, and they did not disappoint.

Lord Huron began as a solo project for lead singer Ben Schneider, but to put this show on the road, he enlisted the help of a childhood buddy and three other Michiganders. The effect is quite nice - the live version of the band has a rougher, louder edge. Even by falling victim to the Tractor's poor sound quality, the beautiful soundscapes that appear on the Lord Huron's two EPs Into the Sun and Mighty were transformed into a frenetic romp through the band's small catalog. To date, Lord Huron have seven total songs to their name, yet fans heard every single one of them in all their gloriousness. A set list is posted below, and highlights included a beautiful performance of "The Stranger", as well as "We Went Wild", which closed the set with an energy-driven climax. All in all, these guys are making some exciting tunes, and may be coming to a city near you. Check out the dates below, and be sure to catch this act if you can.

Set List :: Lord Huron @ Tractor Tavern (4-10-2011)
Mighty
Into the Sun
The Problem With Your Daughter
Son of a Gun
The Stranger
When Will I See You Again
We Went Wild

Tour Dates :: Lord Huron
04/09 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir*
04/10 - Seattle, WA - The Tractor*
04/12 - San Francisco, CA - Bottom of the Hill*
04/13 - San Francisco, CA - Bottom of the Hill*
04/19 - Salt Lake City, UT - The State Room*
04/20 - Denver, CO - Hi-Dive*
04/21 - Omaha, NE - Slowdown*
04/22 - St. Louis, MO - Firebird*
04/23 - Indianapolis, IN - Radio Radio*
04/24 - Cleveland, OH - Beachland Ballroom*
04/26 - Washington, DC - DC9
04/28 - New York, NY - Mercury Lounge
04/30 - Philadelphia, PA - North Star Bar
05/02 - Detroit, MI - Magic Stick Lounge
05/03 - Chicago, IL - Schuba's Tavern
05/07 - Norman, OK - Opolis Coffee
05/08 - Austin, TX - Emo's
05/10 - Tucson, AZ - Solar Culture
05/11 - La Jolla, CA - The Loft at UCSD
05/14 - Los Angeles, CA - Troubadour

* w/ Rural Alberta Advantage

[review] Local Natives @ Showbox (9-24-2010)

Local Natives play to their home away from home

When guitarist/vocalist Taylor Rice professed his love for Seattle as the band's favorite concert destination, the eruption of cheers from a very energetic crowd made it seem like The Local Natives were playing to their home crowd. And to then tell us Paseo was their favorite tour food in the entire country, I was almost convinced that these dudes were truly locals...

Last night, the Showbox hosted a sold out performance from a trio of harmonizing indie folksters. The evening began with a fantastic performance from The Union Line. If you haven't heard these guys, check out their MySpace page and their Daytrotter session. I picked up a copy of their Cernido Sonidos EP at the show, and it's been on constant rotation all morning. Following up with another quality caliber set was NC's The Love Language. It really got the sold out crowd excited for the Local Natives.

But the main event proved better than any reviewer can try to put to words. The Local Natives kicked off their set with a very powerful rendition of "Camera Talks" and immediately captured the crowds' energy. Based on the viewer reaction, it's amazing that the band only has one album to their name. However, when you don't have a weak song on your debut, it's not a problem to play your entire album for a show. And that is exactly what the Local Natives did, shuffling the order of Gorilla Manor's track listing.

And whether they're playing instrument roulette or switching between the band's dual lead singing capabilities (either Taylor Rice or Kelcey Ayer), to see these dudes live is a real treat. The three-part harmonies made possible from guitarist Ryan Hahn only add to the amazing live experience. And the rthym Highlights of the night included the performances of "World News," "Wide Eyes," "Shape Shifter," and "Airplanes." After a quick encore, the band returned with "Cubism Dream" and a very wild, crowd participating "Sun Hands." Overall, I was very impressed and pleased with the show, and highly recommend catching these guys live in a city near you. A set list is posted below.

Set list - Local Natives (9-24-2010):
Camera Talks
World News
Warning Sign
Cards & Quarters
Sticky Thread
Wide Eyes
Shape Shifter
Stranger Things
Airplanes
Who Knows Who Cares
Encore
Cubism Dream
Sun Hands

[review] Toadies @ Showbox (7-28-2010)

Seattle Loves the Toadies

Seattle has time and again shown their appreciation towards Fort Worth's very own Toadies. It's this affection, expressed in fist pumps and hollers, that creates the perfect environment for an all-around good show.

Wednesday night's concert was no exception. From the moment the Toadies took the stage at the Showbox, an eruption of elation occurred. You have to understand, for hardcore Toadies fans, the idea of a Feeler tour equates to the same emotions brought on by Brian Wilson's SMiLE, or GNR's Chinese Democracy. And feeding off the crowd's energy, the band immediately broke into the classics to get the night moving in a good direction. The Toadies kicked the set off with "Backslider," and lead singer Todd Lewis's voice never sounded so good. But that's what you come to expect at a Toadies show - don't let drummer Mark Reznicek's hair color fool you - these guys sound as young as they did back in '94.

Since the band was promoting their new album Feeler, we got to hear a fair number of hits off the LP, including "Dead Boy," "City of Hate," "Suck Magic," "ATF Theme," "Waterfall," and "Mine." To give a quick back-story behind this ill-fated album, the band originally recorded Feeler in '97 as a follow-up to Rubberneck, but Interscope deemed the record ill-fit for release. The Toadies lost the rights to the songs and had to re-record the entire album, and after 13 years it finally gets its proper release. You could almost see the triumph in lead guitarist Clark Vogeler's eyes as if to say, "yeah, we knew these songs would be liked."

Highlights from the night included the Rubberneck gems "Away," "Possum Kingdom," and "Tyler," and surprise favorites like "Push the Hand" and "Heel" sounded incredible. I was happy to hear some of the stronger songs from No Deliverance ("Nothing to Cry About" and the title track), and I thought all the Feeler jams were excellent. Really my only complaint of the night came during the encore when they covered the Beatles' "Don't Let Me Down." It's not to say I didn't like the song, but I felt like they didn't need to throw it in there. If you buy Feeler through iTunes, you get this track as a bonus tune, so I understand why they played it. But I digress...

All in all, this one amazing show from a band that I'm so happy decided to make music again. At the end of the night, Vogeler thanked Seattle for being "the best fucking rock city in the country," and I think he was actually sincere about that comment. Mosh pits were erupting on the main floor, and the crowd was jumping up and down so much the band kept commenting on how the stage was literally shaking. A full set list is posted below, and as you can see, it's loaded with non-stop hits, and it ended with a crowd-favorite, "I Come From the Water."

Toadies set list (7-28-2010):
Backslider
Little Sin
Dead Boy
Away
Nothing to Cry About
Push the Hand
Doll Skin
City of Hate
Happy Face
Suck Magic
ATF Theme
Heel
Waterfall
Mister Love
Pressed Against the Sky
Possum Kingdom
Song I Hate
Mine
Tyler
Encore
Don't Let Me Down (Beatles cover)
I Burn
No Deliverance
Pink
I Come From the Water

[review] Wolf Parde @ Showbox (7-26-2010)

Wolf Parade delivers the "Royal Mix"

Last night Wolf Parade treated Seattleites with another fantastic show at the Showbox. To give a little historical significance, my first Wolf Parade "live experience" occurred at the Showbox in August of '06 - WP had just released Apologies to the Queen Mary and were touring with Frog Eyes and Whale Bones on the "Spiritual Animal Tour." During that show, I remember feeling that WP was on the verge of something big. It would take a few years of insane touring and numerous side projects before Wolf Parade garnered the respect and notoriety that the talented five-some deserved. In that time, other WP appearances in Seattle occurred in '07 with Holy Fuck, followed by the surprise show after the Sub Pop Fest in '08 with Foals.

So after what felt like a long drought, WP finally made their way back to Jet City in support of their 3rd LP Expo 86. For some reason, it seemed very fittingly to be back at the Showbox. The set list is posted below, and I'd have to say I was very happy with the tunes they showcased last night. A few songs into the set, lead singer/keyboardist Spencer Krug informed the audience that we'd be getting an even mix of old and new songs, which lead singer/guitarist Dan Boeckner dubbed as the "Royal Mix." The old tunes still had that new song smell to them (revamped and rejuvinated), and the new tunes were full of energy which kept the night fresh. Highlights of the set included the very well-received "Ghost Pressure" (which featured Krug on omnichord), "Fine Young Cannibals," and the rarely performed "In the Direction of the Moon." What struck me most was how amazing each song from At Mount Zoomer sounded in concert. I really wish Zoomer had been recorded live like Apologies and Expo; hearing those songs performed at a show sound so much better than the studio cuts.

And the band was really on fire last night. Boeckner as always looked like a Fraggle rocker on steroids - full of energy and spastically churning out the hits. Krug was a young Beethoven-incarnate, complete with wild hair and his ear only inches from the keys. At some point in the night drummer Arlen Thompson must have called upon the thunder gods, which invoked a dance party with his skillful stick-play, and Dante DeCaro kept the rhythm section together by filling in the missing space left behind after the departure of Hadji Bakara.

All in all, those who attended last night's show left with smiles on their faces. The encore set contained one song from each of the band's three LPs. I was thrilled to hear the classic "You Are a Runner and I Am My Father's Son" followed by "Yulia," and the night ended with an unabridged performance of "Kissing the Beehive" in all its 11 minutes of glory. As always, Wolf Parade did not disappoint.

Wolf Parade set list (7-26-2010)
Soldier's Grin
What Did My Lover Say? (It Always Had To Go This Way)
Palm Road
Dear Sons and Daughters of Hungry Ghosts
Ghost Pressure
Cloud Shadow on the Mountain
Fine Young Cannibals
In the Direction of the Moon
This Heart's On Fire
I'll Believe In Anything
Pobody's Nerfect
California Dreamer
Encore
You Are a Runner and I Am My Father's Son
Yulia
Kissing the Beehive

Photos :: courtesy of Laura Musselman

[review] Plants and Animals @ Crocodile (5-22-2010)

P&A Bring Rock & Roll to Seattle

For the Seattleites who braved the dreek and dreary weather and trekked over to the Crocodile yesterday evening, all were happily treated to a fantastic Saturday night special. Fans looking to see Plants and Animals got both wishes: stage support included Lost in the Trees and Frog Eyes.

Starting the night off with North Carolina septet Lost in the Trees, I could tell that there was going to be a good energy in the audience. Lost in the Trees somehow managed to fit all 7 members of their band on the Crocodile stage, including their full-band assortment of instruments (upright bass, cello, baritone, violin, drums, you name it). They apparently have a new album coming out this August, but they have plenty of music to discover over at their site (here). They really got a good vibe going, which led straight into Frog Eyes' set.

I had seen Frog Eyes years back during their '05 "Spiritual Animal Tour," which featured Whale Bones and Wolf Parade. At the time, I remember being a bit disappointed; however, I will point out that I hadn't developed an appreciation for Carey Mercer's spastic yelps of beauty. After a quick sound check, Frog Eyes really blasted fans with some of their heavy hitters. Half-way through the set, we were informed by Mercer's hysterical storytelling of his time spent at the L.A. Rock School. I won't try to re-tell it, since it will lose all its humor, but to sum up the lesson of the story: even when you're sick, you still put on a good show without telling fans how terrible you feel. In between songs, Mercer was coughing and wheezing while guzzling down water to aid his sore throat; however, during songs, Mercer sounded spot-on with the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. Frog Eyes are an acquired taste - unique styles of music are often misunderstood or underappreciated - but for those who are fans of the flavor, we were left with wanting more when the set concluded with "A Flower In A Glove," the first track off their new album Paul's Tomb: A Triumph.

After a short break, the arrival of Plants and Animals brought noise to the Crocodile. Hungry fans, tided over with incessant spins of their new album La La Land, were finally going to hear these jams in person. For those in the audience who caught their St. Patty's Day '09 show at Nectar, they may have expected a mellow set. But there was nothing of the sort this time around.

P&A kicked off the night with "New Kind Of Love," the slow-building song that climaxed with a Warren Spicer stage dive, mid-guitar riff, whereupon the lead singer finished the set-opener in the front row of fans. Fully feeding off the crowd's energy, P&A catapulted into "Fake It," my favorite groove-laden track from La La Land. Like before, Nicolas Basque - Québecois multi-instrumental extraordinaire - provided much of the complex sounds though frantic mid-song rotations between guitar, synth, and bass. Keeping the heart of each song rhythmically beating strong, drummer Matthew Woodley (aka the Woodman) slapped the sticks with a certain James Dean-swagger. Completing the power trio's tour-de-force, Spicer's howls cut straight through the chaos.

After three albums and one EP, Plants and Animals have developed a large enough repertoire of lead-heavy jams to fill a whole set. Guitar improvisation and song extensions throughout the night managed to adapt the band's lush orchestrations and works of beauty into an all-out rock concert. Highlights of the night definitely came when the band tore through new songs like "Celebration," "Undone Melody," and the cleverly titled "Tom Cruz." I was happy to hear With/Avec's "Lola Who?" but would have loved to hear "American Idol" or "Game Shows" - next time I guess. After blazing through "The Mama Papa" and waiting out a quick encore break, the band fittingly closed the night with Parc Avenue favorite "Bye Bye Bye."

All in all, Plants and Animals didn't disappoint. I'm sure after last night's performance there's bound to be new fans popping up all over Seattle. For a full set list, see below.

Plants and Animals Set List
(Crocodile, Seattle - 5-22-2010)
New Kind Of Love
Fake It
Celebration
Good Friend
Tom Cruz
Feedback In The Field
Lola Who?
Undone Melody
Faerie Dance
Mercy
The Mama Papa
Encore
Bye Bye Bye

[reveiw] Spoon @ Moore Theater (4-10-2010)

photo cred: drake lelane

Another Great Spoon Performance

Out of all the bands I've seen live, there's probably only a handful that I've seen as much as Spoon. Having a good idea of what Spoon can sound like, and what songs they decide to play each set, I feel comfortable with my assessment of their performances. Last night, Spoon concluded their pair of headlining shows at the Moore Theater this weekend here in Seattle.

Kicking the night off with a chilling, solo-acoustic performance of "Me and the Bean," the Girls Can Tell classic has never sounded better. For the second song of the night, keyboardist/multi-instrumental extraordinaire Eric Harvey joined lead singer Britt Daniel on stage for stripped-down version of "Mystery Zone." This song is probably my least favorite off their new LP Transference, however, hearing it played acoustically may have changed my mind. By the third song, drummer Jim Eno and bassist Rob Pope had rounded out the line-up for a highly cathartic rendition of "Written In Reverse." By now, the energy was building inside the Moore, and riding the wave of crowd energy, Spoon catapulted into the steady-rocker "Got Nuffin'." Unfortunately, the bass monitors were cranked so high that you couldn't really hear Daniel's howls. I was sad because in Portland this song was the highlight of the night, but last night it was essentially a 3 minute drum and bass line. The band quickly recovered with a Gimme Fiction-favorite, "Mathematical Mind," and then proceeded to tear through Fiction's "Don't Make Me A Target," Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga's "The Ghost of You Lingers," Tranference's "Who Makes Your Money," and Kill the Moonlight's "Small Stakes." It was quite the Spoon sampler package!

The highlight of the night (for me, at least), was Spoon's cover of Wolf Parade's "Modern World." For those of you who read this blog (all two of you), it's apparent that there's two bands that I'm really obsessed with: Spoon and Wolf Parade (plus all WP off-shoots). If someone were to tell me that I'd end up witnessing the mash-up of these two bands, I would have told them they were crazy. But I saw it with my own eyes, and it was magnificent. Now, if only Wolf Parade could cover a Spoon song this July and my life would be complete.

The rest of the night was finished with a solid song selection. Hearing "Finer Feelings" live fulfilled another hope of the night, and it sounded great live. The band finished their first set with another acoustic performance, this time for "Black Like Me." And after a quick break, the band returned to play a 4-song encore: "Vittorio E.," "Back To The Life," "Way We Get By," and "Don't You Evah." In total, Spoon played 23 songs on the night!

One thing I've noted in the years attending Spoon shows is that the confidence in Britt Daniel has only grown. Admittedly, I never got to see a live Spoon performance until their Kill the Moonlight tour, however, even then Daniel didn't have the swagger he wears to shows these days. There's sense of happiness on stage, too, like he's honestly having a lot of fun - and why not? Spoon is playing the music they want to play (Transference was recorded without an outside producer's influence) without pandering to a preconceived notion of who their audience is, and they are touring to the largest crowd sizes in the band's history. What more could you ask for as an independent artist?

So to sum up last night's show at the Moore Theater, I think it's best song selections I've ever experienced, though their sound wasn't quite on par with some other shows I've attended. That's not to say that they sounded badly, I just think some songs had way too much bass ("Got Nuffin") or not enough vocals. I will state that I wasn't in prime seating (right in front of the sound board), so maybe this was a non-issue for the lower seating section. But all that said, it was a great show none-the-less. A full set list is posted below:

Spoon set list @ Moore Theater (4-10-2010)
Me and the Bean (acoustic)
Mystery Zone (acoustic)
Written In Reverse
Got Nuffin'
Mathematical Mind
Don't Make Me A Target
The Ghost of You Lingers
Who Makes Your Money
Small Stakes
Modern World (Wolf Parade cover)
Is Love Forever?
Someone Something
Beast and Dragon, Adored
They Never Got You
I Summon You
Finer Feelings
Nobody Gets Me But You
Underdog
Black Like Me

Encore:
Vittorio E.
Back To The Life
Way We Get By
Don't You Evah

[review] Spoon @ 9:30 Club (3-22-2010)

Spoon!

Guest writer and Spoon aficionado E-Rock recently caught Spoon's DC show at the 9:30 Club. Above is the acoustic opener of "Me and the Bean" which looks is the best I've seen live. Spoon will be swinging through Seattle next month for two shows at the Moore - don't miss it.

Spoon Show How It’s Done in DC

submitted by E-Rock, guest Three Colours contributor

Spoon delivered a very strong performance to a sold-out crowd at the 9:30 Club in Washington, DC. The set plus encore included a full twenty-three songs. Britt Daniel’s vocals were fresh and the crowd was very enthusiastic throughout the entire performance.

Spoon chose to sample heavily from their more recent work, taking almost equally from Transference and Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga. No pre-Girls Can Tell tracks were included. Nonetheless, the set included a great selection of the Spoon repertoire and had excellent flow. The first series of songs were deliberately more downbeat and slightly more serious, starting with a great minor-chord acoustic version of "Me and the Bean." A rousing rendition of "Don’t You Evah" kicked off a much more energetic series of songs; highlights included "Don’t You Evah", "I Turn My Camera On", and "Got Nuffin", while "Written in Reverse" sounded stronger live than on their LP. During the encore, the “rowdy crowd” (in Daniel’s words) kept the band going for five songs, including an especially strong version of "Jonathan Fisk." Spoon looked very pleased by the end, as did all in the crowd who witnessed the show.

At their core, Spoon is a band that turns a collection of very simple sounds and textures into great music, coupled with strong, memorable lyrics. These aspects of their music are all the more obvious during a live performance. The bedrock for the band is provided by Jim Eno, a master of exciting, repetitive beats. Eno propels the songs forward on his simple kit and sets the proper tone. Multi-instrumentalists Rob Pope and Eric Harvey rounded out the band and provide backing vocals, bass, keys, organ, and percussion including well-placed tambourine. Stephen Patterson (of White Rabbits) was also in tow to provide percussion and guitar support. But the focus of the band has always been on leader Britt Daniel, who was really on fire. He offered great singing and hoarse growls throughout the night, and his guitar work included simple cords to great, messy solos.

While I would love to hear more from Kill the Moonlight (my personal favorite Spoon album) or "30 Gallon Tank" (my personal favorite Spoon single), I have no real complaints for the night. Spoon served up a great all-round live show. While their brilliant studiocraft is hard to top, Spoon’s live performances stood up well, propelled the show forward, and never ceased to entertain. I will not miss Spoon the next time that they come through my town, and neither should you. Also be sure to check out Transference (and Girls Can Tell or Kill the Moonlight) if you haven’t already done so.

The night was captured by Nestor Diaz, which some great pictures can be viewed here.

9:30 Club Spoon Setlist (3/22/2010)
Me and the Bean (Acoustic)	Girls Can Tell
Before Destruction	Transference
The Beast and Dragon, Adored	Gimme Fiction
Love Song (The Damned Cover)	Sweetheart 2010
The Ghost Of You Lingers	Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
Who Makes Your Money	Transference
Don't You Evah	Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
I Summon You	Gimme Fiction
The Mystery Zone	Transference
I Turn My Camera On	Gimme Fiction
Is Love Forever?	Transference
Don't Make Me A Target	Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
Someone Something	Kill the Moonlight
Written in Reverse	Transference
Got Nuffin	Transference
Trouble Comes Running	Transference
My Mathematical Mind	Gimme Fiction
Black Like Me	Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
Encore
Nobody Gets Me But You	Transference
You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb	Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
Rhthm & Soul	Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
Jonathon Fisk	Kill the Moonlight
The Underdog	Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga

[review] White Denim @ Neumos (1-24-2010)

Third Time's the Charm

Last night Seattle was treated to White Denim's third appearance. Unfortunately for the band, they happened to pick a rainy Sunday night for their latest exposion. Having attended their past two shows, I was expecting the usual tepid crowd one draws on such an evening, however, much to my surprise, numerous disciples of rock & roll made their pilgrimage to Neumos for a spiritual experience. And disappointed they were not... but we'll get to that later.

Last night's story begins with Brazos - an Austin, TX trio whose sweet-sounding set was truly charming. Starting off with a solo performance of "We Understand Each Other", lead singer Martin Crane's soft, southern croon was instantly captivating. Once the rest of the band joined in, the tempo picked up with a tribal drum-driven rendition of "The Observer". The rest of the set included Phosphorescent Blues' heavy-hitters. If you don't own their debut album, yet, I highly recommend you test drive this bad boy. I'm not really sure how to classify their genre, but listening to their debut LP evokes feelings of some long-lost, breezy summer afternoon - simply timeless. Brazos closed their set with an oldie - Feeding Frenzy's "Interlocking" - which was a fitting end to a wonderful opener. Set list below:

Brazos set list:
We Understand Each Other
The Observer
Tell
Day Glo
Downtown Boys
Kid
Interlocking

Up next came the main event: White Denim. Like I alluded to earlier, the crowd size nearly doubled before WD took the stage. If fans intended to hear the band's catalog performed exactly like it sounds on record, then they were in for a surprise. It's because White Denim understands that a concert isn't just about the music, but more importantly, it's about the performance. What you experience at their live shows is raw energy on stage, like controlled chaos. The band plays huge blocks of nonstop hits, masterfully tearing down the end of each song while seamlessly building a new jam from the destruction.

Kicking off the night with one of my personal favorites "Heart From Us All", WD proceeded to play three 30-minute jam sessions before calling it a night. I'm not sure if the band has invested in new equipment, but it was the best these guys have sounded live, in my opinion. Amongst the fury of Josh Blocks machine-gun drumming, the turbo-grooves of bassist Steve Terebecki, and the soul-powered screams of James Petralli, the crowd heard classics like "Darksided Computer Mouth", "Let's Talk About It", "Ieieie", "Shake Shake Shake", "Paint Silver Gold", and "Goldie Locks". To my surprise, it was the songs from the band's newest LP Fits that garnered the biggest reaction from the crowd. That's a huge difference than the last two times I've seen these guys. Newer jams included "All Consolation", "Syncn", "Mirrored And Reverse", "El Hard Attack", and "I Start To Run". As the night came to a close, the band thanked us all for coming out and promptly left the stage. However, after many chants and pleads for more songs, the band came back for an encore set (which they looked very surprised to have earned the privilege). The night concluded with "I'd Have It Just The Way We Were", followed by the loop-heavy "Don't Look At It That Way". But what finished the night off was simply amazing. Direct from the archives of White Denim pre-history, the band shut Neumos down with a killer performance of Parque Touch's "You". Hell of a show - hell of a night. Man these guys have talent.

Here's a video of WD's psychedelic interlude into "Shake Shake Shake", courtesy of Humberto Martinez at the Seattle PI.

[review] Spoon @ Crystal Ballroom (12-11-2009)

Spoon Gives Fans a December to Remember

All week long, local radio station 94.7 KNRK has been hosting a string of fantastic shows at Portland's Crystal Ballroom as a part of their December to Remember series. Saving the best acts for last, Friday night kicked off with a killer performance from Austin's Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears. Comically sporting a Tiger Woods hat, Black Joe Lewis tore through a funky, soul-filled performance featuring songs from the highly entertaining Tell 'Em What Your Name Is. Highlights from the set were "Big Booty Woman," "Get Yo Shit," and "I'm Broke."

Next up on the night was LA's Anya Marina. She only performed two songs in a short acoustic set, which I found as slightly odd. Her second song, "Satellite Heart," was apparently one that she wrote for the New Moon soundtrack. The very mention of New Moon erupted a number of boos from the crowd. No surprise there...

Last on the bill was Spoon. Treating their home-away-from-home with a rare sneak-peak of their upcoming album, the band kicked off their 22-song set with "Mystery Zone." Hearing it live, I may have changed my mind on how I feel about this new track. I don't love it, but I think it's better than my first impression. Wasting no time with in-between-song chatter, Spoon catapulted into an extra groovy "Don't You Evah," then brought out the Honeybears' horn section for "You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb" and "Stay Don't Go." Who knew that "Stay Don't Go" would sound so amazing with horns? Best song of the night! We were then treated with another new track: the punk-inspired "Is Love Forever?" which I think sounded pretty good. They blew through some Spoon concert staples, but we also got to hear a few more tracks off Transference. In particular, the new single "Written In Reverse" was a home run. I was lukewarm about "Trouble Comes Running," but my spirits were soon lifted by "Target," "Fitted Shirt," and many other Spoon classics. The Honeybears returned for the set closers to enhance Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga's "The Underdog" and "Rhthm & Soul."

If the concert had ended right there, I would have been able to go home with a permagrin, but Spoon returned for a 4-song encore. "Black Like Me" started it all off and sounded as good as ever, however, I was completely blow away by what followed: the live version of "Got Nuffin" sent chills down my spine. Lead singer Britt Daniel even announced that it was the best "Got Nuffin" performance they've ever had. The night ended with "The Way We Get By" and a rocking rendition of "Jonathan Fisk."

This was, hands down, the best Spoon show I've attended! Hopefully they'll return to the Pacific Northwest after Transference drops and grace the city of Seattle with an equally awesome show. A full set list is posted below:

Spoon set list (12-11-2009):
Mystery Zone
Don't You Evah
You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb (w/ horns)
Stay Don't Go (w/ horns)
Is Love Forever?
The Beast and Dragon, Adored
The Ghost of You Lingers
Written in Reverse
I Turn My Camera On
Trouble Comes Running
Don't Make Me A Target
Fitted Shirt
They Never Got You
I Summon You
Small Stakes
My Mathematical Mind
The Underdog (w/ horns)
Rhthm and Soul (w/ horns)
Encore:
Black Like Me
Got Nuffin
The Way We Get By
Jonathan Fisk

[review] Julian Plenti @ Chop Suey (11-16-2009)

Paul Banks and Co bring Seattle something special

Last night at Chop Suey, Interpol's frontman Paul Banks debuted his alter ego Julian Plenti to a crowd of energetic and enthusiastic fans, eager to be only the second audience to ever witness this band perform live. The entire album was conceived and recorded by Banks himself, but to help bring this music to the stage, he was accompanied by The Giraffes' guitarist Damien Paris, as well as a bassist, drummer, and an amazing cellist. Plenti of songs were performed on the rainy Monday night, as you can see by the set list posted below. In fact, the entire debut album Julian Plenti Is... Skyscraper was played, as well as three others.

The night kicked off with a very chill opener, a post-rock-influenced instrumental introduction song that served not only as a sound check, but also set the the tone for the night, showing us how strings can enhance any performance. The band immediately catapulted into "Fly As You Might" and ensnared the crowd (Video of both songs are posted above, but mind the poor audio quality). With very little in-between song chatter, the opening riff for "Fun That We Had" evoked a eruption of cheers. To my surprise, the newly put together 5-piece sounded like they'd been playing for years. And for once, it actually looked like Banks was having fun on stage.

The set took a chiller mood when "No Chance Survival" hit our ears, but the band quickly followed with one of the best songs of the night, "Unwind." Afterwords, Banks commented on the setting of Chop Suey, saying how much he loved the intimate venue's "hot, sexy, and dirty" feel. After performing for years to arena-sized crowds with his other vehicle Interpol, I'm sure the Plenti tour will be a refreshing change of pace and a more personal experience. Multiple times in the night, you could see Banks taken aback by the warm welcoming reactions from Seattle's fans. He was very appreciative, which translated to the fantastic performance for all.

The best string of songs on the night began with "On the Esplanade," followed by a rendition of "H" that would make Explosions In The Sky jealous, and finished up with the title track "Skyscraper." At this point my night was complete, thinking that the only song left for the encore would be "Games For Days." However, to my surprise, we were treated with a bizarre set closer: Banks first began singing the Christmas classic "Let It Snow" which broke into either an unknown cover or an unreleased Plenti original, which after the song we were informed that it was "Goodbye Toroonto" (a video is posted below, but mind the poor video quality).

The band left the stage, but the cries of the fans soon brought the humbled Banks and company back on stage to perform their encore set, which included the America cover "Horse With No Name" and the night closer "Games For Days." All in all, a fantastic way to spend your Monday night. This show ranks up there with the best of the year. I strongly recommend trying to catch these guys in a city near you; however, these dudes currently have an extremely abbreviated set of tour dates. Perhaps more to come?

Set list - Julian Plenti (11-16-2009)
Instrumental Intro
Fly As You Might
Fun That We Had
No Chance Survival
Unwind
Girl On The Sporting News
Madrid Song
Only If You Run
On the Esplanade
H
Skyscraper
Let It Snow / Goodbye Toronto

Encore
Horse With No Name (America cover)
Games For Days

[review] White Denim w/ Parque Touch @ Rock & Roll Hotel (11-14-2009)

Parque Touch Reunion!

Guest writer and Senior White Denim Correspondent E-Rock has been kind enough to give us yet another White Denim concert review, this time at Washington, D. C.'s Rock & Roll Hotel. Sounds like yet another solid performance. Hopefully WD will be hitting up the West Coast sometime soon (fingers crossed).

White Denim Rock DC
submitted by E-Rock, guest Three Colours contributor

White Denim once again deliver the goods with a rousing show at the Rock & Roll Hotel, Washington, DC. Frequent readers of Three Colours are aware that this is not my first time witnessing White Denim’s explosive set. The White Denim freight train-steamroller thundered through Amsterdam last September, firing on all cylinders for sixty minutes straight. The band started out with a similar intensity this time around, but then settled into a slightly looser groove and stretched out their jams with more developed psychedelic or progressive arrangements. White Denim later finished the set strongly with their typical rapid-fire song medleys and tight, scorching execution.

I don’t have a lot of new details to add from the last review as the set was mostly similar. White Denim did pull out a new song that has not yet been released on LP. It was an exciting mix of styles (like everything else), with a bluesy classic rock intro riff progressing to a complex bridge with start-stop dynamics and swirling rhythms. They also had several new renditions for their studio craft.

The band was treated with a very enthusiastic crowd at the Rock & Roll Hotel. The venue was crowded (but not full), so it is possible that the word is finally getting out for this critically-acclaimed band. WD members were really enjoying themselves and appeared happy to be back stateside. Block (drums) and Petralli (guitar/vocals) were particularly intense and played off each other’s leads throughout the night. Terebecki (bass) was in his own zone, providing bass slaps and slides, and the three played as tight as any band I’ve seen.

The most unexpected event of the night was the finale of the show when White Denim invited Lucas Anderson (a.k.a. Byshop Massive, now a DC resident) onto the stage for an impromptu reunion of Parque Touch (Austin, TX). The foursome blazed through the decidedly more hardcore Parque Touch song “You” (heard here) for a fiery finish to an already strong show (video below).

White Denim are more talented than your favorite band and give intense live shows that cannot be missed. Buy tickets now if they are rumbling through your area. I can’t recommend these guys enough.

I should also mention that the opening acts did a good job warming the crowd up. My Mind (Philadelphia, PA) kicked off the night with a short set. They call themselves Punk/Funk/Crunk, but the group struck me as a progressive band that decided to play punk. I personally found their set entertaining and (inadvertently) hilarious. Next up were Brazos (Austin, TX). These three guys were really talented and played dreamy indie rock with chiming guitar, smooth/groovy bass, and well placed percussion. Martin Crane (guitar/vocals) puts his vocals up front and has a delightful, higher register voice that fits very nicely with their sound. While most of the group’s songs were generally happy and middle paced, Brazos concluded their set with a faster paced rocker, followed by a minor-chord melancholy gem. I highly recommend checking out Brazos if they are rolling through your town.

[review] The Blakes @ Neumos (9-29-2009)

The Blakes debut Souvenir at Neumos

Last night The Blakes celebrated the completion and release of their newest LP Souvenir. Officially set to hit shelves on October 13, the band was selling copies to all who attended as part of their CD Release party held at Neumos. Opening acts The Purrs and Strong Killings got the night started off early and set the tone for a night of great rock.

When most bands record an album, there's an interim period between the completion of recording and the release date. In that time, there is a tedious mixing process where the band adds more elements, sounds, vocals, etc. After all the technical studio wizardry is complete, the band then has to relearn how to play those songs live without all the layers and studio additions.

Last night was one of the first shows The Blakes had played since the completion of Souvenir. I was expecting it to be a little rougher around the edges, but was ultimately surprised at how many new songs we actually were treated with - not to mention how great these sounded live. Nearly splitting the set list 50:50 with tracks from their 2007 self-titled record and their new LP, The Blakes have created yet another catchy collection of 60's inspired rock, laden with oh-so-contagious hooks. Be sure to grad yourself a copy now if you happen to live in Seattle, or later this month for everyone else. Included on the album is "Charmed," which a live, acoustic Pancho Villa version can be viewed above.

As for last night's show, The Blakes delivered another solid performance to its loyal fans. A set list is posted below, though the order is not correct. Some great pictures were taken by Kristen Blush over at The Stranger. One hell of a show.

Set list (9-29-2009):
in no particular order

Old tunes:
Modern Man
Two Times
Pistol Grip
Magoo
Picture
Vampire
Commit
Don't Bother Me

New tunes:
Charmed
Basket
A Fire
Tommy
Next Time Around
Little Bit About You
Lie Next To Me
Wolf In Sheep's Clothes
Move To The City

[review] We Were Promised Jetpacks @ Neumos (9-16-2009)

We were promised nothing, but got nearly everything

Last night, playing to a sold out crowd of eager Seattleites, Scottish quartet We Were Promised Jetpacks took the stage at Neumos. On the ticket stub, it read the show was for Frightened Rabbit: fellow Scottish indie rockers. For me, however, the real headliners of the night were the four Glaswegian transplants from Edinburgh who provided the first of three sets. And while these Scotsmen are - as they put it so nicely - younger than the Ghostbusters, you never would have guessed it when the band kicked off their set with "It's Thunder And It's Lightning", the first track off WWPJ's solid debut These Four Walls. To have only been touring for little over a year, you might have expected higher levels of timidity. This was not the case.

It really helped that the crowd was so into the band - you could tell that the whole group was feeding off the energy in the room. Much thanks needs to be given to local radio station KEXP, for they are greatly responsible for the exposure of WWPJ to the Pacific Northwest. Back before the band had even signed to FatCat Records, when there was only the 3-song self-titled EP available, KEXP first aired "Quiet Little Voices" as the "song of the day". In fact, that's how I learned of these guys over a year ago.

And you could tell that the crowd was familiar with "Quiet Little Voices" based on the amount of cheers given to lead singer Adam Thompson when he announced that "the next song is really good" and that "if you don't like it, you should probably take a step outside" (said in a thick Scottish brogue). As soon as the opening riff was played, a sea of movement took over Neumos' main floor. After the killer a rendition of "Voices", an emotionally charged "Ships With Holes Will Sink" immediately followed, which in my opinion was the best song of the night. Other highlights included "Keeping Warm" which showcased the charging album-version introduction, as well as the cathartic performance of the night closer "Short Bursts."

I can't really do the band justice by describing how great WWPJ sound live. These guys are performers, and they have a live show which cannot be captured on recordings. While These Four Walls is a great album, the live version is miles beyond. It's only a matter a time before these guys break though into US popularity. Until then, keep your eyes peeled for a show near you. Tour dates and a setlist of the night (which I think is correct) are posted at the bottom.

Setlist (9-16-2009):

-It's Thunder And It's Lightning
-Roll Up Your Sleeves
-Moving Clocks Run Slow
-This Is My House, This Is My House
-Keeping Warm
-Quiet Little Voices
-Ships With Holes Will Sink
-Conductor
-Short Bursts

We Were Promised Jetpacks US tour dates:

Sep 17 2009 8:00P	MusicFest NW	Portland, Oregon
Sep 18 2009 8:00P	The Independant (with Frightened Rabbit and The Twilight Sad)	San Francisco, California
Sep 19 2009 8:00P	The Voodoo Lounge (with Frightened Rabbit and The Twilight Sad)	San Jose, California
Sep 20 2009 8:00P	Knitting Factory (with Frightened Rabbit and The Twilight Sad)	Los Angeles, California
Sep 22 2009 8:00P	Plush (with Frightened Rabbit and The Twilight Sad)	Tucson, Arizona
Sep 24 2009 8:00P	The Mohawk (with Frightened Rabbit and The Twilight Sad)	Austin, Texas
Sep 25 2009 8:00P	Spanish Moon (with Frightened Rabbit and The Twilight Sad)	Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Sep 26 2009 8:00P	Bottletree (with Frightened Rabbit and The Twilight Sad)	Birmingham, Alabama
Sep 27 2009 8:00P	The Masquerade (with Frightened Rabbit and The Twilight Sad)	Atlanta, Georgia
Sep 28 2009 8:00P	Club Downunder (with Frightened Rabbit and The Twilight Sad)	Tallahassee, Florida
Sep 29 2009 8:00P	The Social (with Frightened Rabbit and The Twilight Sad)	Orlando, Florida
Oct 1 2009 8:00P	Local 506 (with The Twilight Sad and Brakes)	Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Oct 3 2009 8:00P	North Star (with The Twilight Sad and Brakes)	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Oct 5 2009 8:00P	Black Cat Backstage (with The Twilight Sad and Brakes)	Washington, Washington DC
Oct 6 2009 8:00P	Bowery Ballroom (with The Twilight Sad and Brakes)	New York, New York
Oct 7 2009 8:00P	Great Scott (with The Twilight Sad and Brakes)	Allston, Massachusetts
Oct 9 2009 8:00P	La Sala Rossa (with The Twilight Sad and Brakes)	Montreal
Oct 10 2009 8:00P	El Mocambo (with The Twilight Sad and Brakes)	Toronto, Ontario
Oct 11 2009 8:00P	Blind Pig (with The Twilight Sad and Brakes)	Ann Arbor, Michigan
Oct 12 2009 8:00P	Empty Bottle (with The Twilight Sad and Brakes)	Chicago, Illinois

Buy :: These Four Walls
Buy :: "Quiet Little Voices" (single)
Buy :: "Roll Up Your Sleeves" (single)