the Montana Boys, the Breeders (06.11.08)

the Band: the Montana Boys, the Breeders
the Date: Wed June 11, 2008
the Venue: 9:30 Club (DC)
 

(Photo credit to Angela N. and her Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/aon/)

The opener was a five-piece rock and roll sort of jam band called the Montana Boys … from Grand Rapids, Michigan. These guys brought on the noise and the funk. Not really my cup of tea, but they sure looked like they were having a great time on stage. How could they not when they were touring with the Breeders?!

(Photo credit to Bao Nguyen and his Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/people/baonguyen/)

The main attraction, the featured act, really the only reason we all showed up was the Breeders. Now a quick history lesson for some of you … back in the early 90's, Kim Deal, bass guitarist for the Pixies, got together with Tanya Donelly of Throwing Muses … they formed the Breeders … a bit later Kim's twin sister, Kelley Deal, joined the Breeders and Tanya left to form another band called Belly … the Breeders took a break when Kelley was busted for drug possession and went into rehab … while Kelley was in rehab, Kim formed a band called the Amps … meanwhile Kelley formed her own band called Kelley Deal 6000 … then later the sisters teamed back up to reform the Breeders. The current members are Kim Deal (guitar, vocals), Kelley Deal (guitar, vocals), Jose Medeles (drums), Mando Lopez (bass), and Cheryl Lyndsey (guitar … by the way, Kim told us they found Cheryl through a craigslist ad).

(Photo credit to Brad Searles and his Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/people/bsearles/)

The show was AMAZING. The stage setup was really cool … all the members next to each other in front of a wall of amps, no one member in front of another. Who knows what exactly prompted that setup, but it seemed to be a sweet gesture showing the audience that it wasn't just Kim and Kelley with a supporting band, but that it was all about the Breeders! They sounded GRRREAT. There is something about the harmonizing voices of the Deal twins … cute and husky at the same time. This was definitely the best Breeders show I've seen. Though it's been a few years since they toured last, this show topped both the August 7, '02 show at Nation in DC and the August 12, '02 show at Numbers in Houston.

Though focusing on tunes from this year's release Moutain Battles, the setlist covered the entire Breeders catalog and even included some tunes from the Amps. My favorites (if there is such a thing as a favorite among favorites) were Huffer, No Aloha, Happiness is a Warm Gun, and the tear-jerker Here No More (apparently written about Kim and Kelly's mom and Alzheimer's disease). We just simply could not get enough. But you know what I love about the Breeders? EVERYTHING!

Full setlist: Tipp City (the Amps) / Huffer / Bang On / Shocker in Gloomtown (Guided by Voices cover) / Divine Hammer / Night of Joy / No Aloha / Pacer (the Amps) / We're Gonna Rise / It's the Love (the Tasties cover) / Walk it Off / New Year / Cannonball / I Just Want to Get Along / Happiness Is a Warm Gun (Beatles cover) / Safari / Iris / German Studies / Empty Glasses (the Amps) / ENCORE / Overglazed / Drivin' on 9 / Here No More / Saints

I like all the different people, I like sticky everywhere, Look around, you bet I'll be there ...

the Rogue Wave, Death Cab for Cutie (06.09.08)

the Band: the Rogue Wave, Death Cab for Cutie
the Date: Mon June 9, 2008
the Venue: Merriweather Post Pavillion (Columbia, MD)

(Photo credit to Brian Firestone and his Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/people/27006735@N06/)

We really didn't pay much attention to the opening band, the Rogue Wave. The portion we did hear of their set was pretty nice. Cool and mellow … nice tunes to start off the evening.

The main attraction was Death Cab for Cutie. The boys from Seattle, Ben Gibbard (vocals, guitar), Chris Walla (guitar), Nick Harmer (bass guitar), and Nathan Good (drums) put on a great performance. Considering they have seven albums including this year's release, Narrow Stairs, the band did a great job of sampling the breadth and depth of their catalog. My personal favorites were I Will Follow You into the Dark, the drawn-out version of Cath…, and of course, Transatlanticism (great ending tune … even though it wasn't a rocker). You know, there's nothing quite like sipping margaritas on a summer evening with the blanket spread out on the lawn of Merriweather and having Ben Gibbard serenade you and the one you love. Aaawww, it makes my heart melt just like all the chocolate liqueur candies we ate.

Full setlist: Bixby Canyon Bridge / The New Year / Why You'd Want to Live Here / Photobooth / Crooked Teeth / Long Division / Grapevine Fires / A Movie Script Ending / Company Calls / Company Calls Epilogue / Soul Meets Body / I Will Follow You Into the Dark / I Will Possess Your Heart / Cath... / Pictures in an Exhibition / The Sound of Settling / Marching Bands of Manhattan / ENCORE / Your Bruise / Title and Registration / No Sunlight / Tiny Vessels / Transatlanticism

I've got a hunger, twisting my stomach into knots ...

the Black Lips, the Raconteurs (05.28.08)

the Band: the Black Lips, the Raconteurs
the Date: Wed May 28, 2008
the Venue: 9:30 Club (DC)

(Photo credit to Danny North and his Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/people/dannynorth/)

Just a quick word on the opening band, the Black Lips … to quote someone from the 9:30 Club chat room, "I'm not convinced anyone in the band actually knows how to play guitar … just a lot of noise and some occasional off-key singing." I actually like occasional off-key singing like Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, but I didn't really care for the Black Lips.

(Photo credit to hobogirl923 and her Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/people/10875560@N07/)

After the stage was reset by some rather well dressed roadies (I'm talking ties and fedoras), the main event came on stage around ten-ish and Holy Crap they were amazing! The Raconteurs, made up of Jack White, Brendan Benson, Jack Lawrence, and Patrick Keeler, along with additional help from sideman, Mark Watrous, are easily one of the most explosive rock bands around and they definitely earned that designation on the second of their two-night stay at the 9:30 Club. I mean, these guys Freakin' Rawked! Many of the songs were from this year's release, Consolers of the Lonely, including Hold Up, The Switch and the Spur, These Stones Will Shout and Rich Kid Blues (awesome to hear live). There were still a number of tunes from their first album, Broken Boy Soldiers. Among them, was a drawn-out version of Steady As She Goes, a haunting performance of Blue Veins, and a kick-you-in-the-ass rendition of Intimate Secretary. The energy really never let up the entire night. From Consolers of the Lonely (the first track of the new album) to Carolina Drama (the last track on the new album), the Raconteurs held nothing back as they played for nearly two full hours! It was evident that the audience couldn't get enough either cuz rarely have we seen a D.C. crowd so charged and lively on a school night. Suffice it to say that from wherever they may have originated - Nashville, Detroit or Cincinnati, the Raconteurs are loved in D.C.

Well now you heard another side to the story, but you wanna know how it ends, if you must know the truth about the tale go and ask the milkman...

the Buffalo Killers, the Black Keys (05.13.08)

the Band: the Buffalo Killers, the Black Keys
the Date: Tue May 13, 2008
the Venue: 9:30 Club (DC)

(Photo credit to Kyle Dean Reinford and his Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kyledeanreinford/)

The opener was the Buffalo Killers. Brothers Andrew and Zachary Gabbard along with drummer, Joseph Sebaali make up the facial-hair-blessed trio. Great classic rock sound! They provided an excellent complement to the Black Keys. Homegrown was my favorite tune (now, what could that song be about? as Dan Auerbach said later in the night, "those guys smoke a lot of weed"). I even pretended to know the words as I sang along out loud … or maybe that was just the Johnny Walker. Regardless, it was a solid, solid start.

(Photo credit to Clint Au and his Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/clintau/)

The band we all came to see was the Black Keys. This is truly one of my favorite blues-based, lo-fi duos (you know that genre, see the White Stripes). Seriously though, these guys, seriously rock. What a great show! Singer-guitarist Dan Auerbach and drummer Pat Carney held nothing back as they blazed an hour and a half long trail through their now five albums, including this year's Attack and Release. There was even one song that featured Danny boy behind a keyboard-sort-of-thing that, through some miracle of modern science, sounded like a guitar! My personal favorites of the night were 10 AM Automatic, Your Touch and the evening ender Till I Get My Way. Who knew that it was so cool to be from Akron, Ohio?

And, thanks to NPR, you can listen to a taping of the entire show:  http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=90270955

Full setlist:  Girl Is on My Mind / Set You Free / Thickfreakness / 10 AM Automatic / Same Old Thing / Stack Shot Billy / Busted/You're the One / Strange Times / Oceans and Streams / Your Touch / The Breaks / Remember When / I'm Glad / No Trust / I Got Mine / ENCORE / Psychotic Girl / Till I Get My Way

Don't you know that I will be callin' on you everyday TILL I GET MY WAY ...

Radiohead (05.11.08)

the Band: Radiohead
the Date: Sun May 11, 2008
the Venue: Nissan Pavilion (Bristow, VA)

(Photo credit to Chris Dearnley and his Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisdearnley/)

As the ticket said the show was rain or shine … and boy did it ever rain. Despite the monsoon weather, the horrible traffic and the hypothermia, the show was AMAZING. What a performance! Radiohead is definitely a band to see even if you need to suffer the elements. The lads focused most of their setlist on the most recent release, In Rainbows, but thankfully they played a few of my personal favorites such as Paranoid Android, Everything In Its Right Place, Pyramid Song, Idioteque, The National Anthem, Fake Plastic Trees and of course Karma Police (okay, so I have a lot of favorite Radiohead songs). One of my favorite moments of the evening (aside from the fleeting moments when I felt dry … or numb) was when my fiancée described Thom Yorke as a funny, crazy, little man dancing on the stage. We love you Thom. You're welcome back any time … just please, please use a different venue.

Full setlist (with big help from the Rockist Society): All I Need / Jigsaw Falling Into Place / Lucky / 15 Step / Nude / Pyramid Song / Weird Fishes/Arpeggi / Myxomatosis / Idioteque / Faust Arp / Videotape / Paranoid Android / Just / Reckoner / Everything In Its Right Place / Bangers + Mash / Body Snatchers / ENCORE / Like Spinning Plates / Optimistic / Karma Police / Go Slowly / Planet Telex / SECOND ENCORE / Fake Plastic Trees / The National Anthem / House of Cards

This is what you get when you mess with us ...

the Dexateens, Drive-By Truckers (05.09.08)

the Band: the Dexateens, Drive-By Truckers
the Date: Fri May 9, 2008
the Venue: 9:30 Club (DC)

(Photo credit to Holley St. Germain and her Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/people/stgermh/)

The Dexateens opened the night with a big ol' heap of southern-fried ROCK. Hailing from Tuscaloosa, these guys were proof that classic southern rock fused with a little punk can be pretty damn cool. In fact, these 'Bama boys completely rocked the house for a full hour plus. The crowd loved 'em and the applause was nothing short of uproarious. We were so worked up that we fully expected an encore from this opener. But alas, those shenanigans are saved for headliners.

(Photo credit to Holley St. Germain and her Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/people/stgermh/)

The main attraction was the Drive-By Truckers. For this visit, they scheduled two nights in the nation's capitol (we were originally going to both nights, but I'm getting too old to handle back-to-back shows … that's for another blog). These guys put on an awesome, awesome show! Lots of energy, lots of Jack Daniels, lots of down-home, heart-thumping rock 'n' roll! Lead singer, Patterson Hood, started the set with a slowed-down version of Puttin' People on the Moon, AWESOME! The setlist covered the span of their now seven albums (do we still call them albums?) including this year's Brighter Than Creation's Dark. My personal favorites were The Living Bubba, the eerie You and Your Crystal Meth, and Let There Be Rock. The evening ending cover of People Who Died with the Dexateens brought back on stage was pretty amazing too.

Full setlist (with big help from the Rockist Society): Puttin' People on the Moon / Where The Devil Don't Stay / The Righteous Path / One of These Days / The Company I Keep / Play It All Night Long (W. Zevon cover) / Gravity's Gone / The Living Bubba / Checkout Time in Vegas / You and Your Crystal Meth / Goode's Field Road / A Ghost to Most / I'm Sorry Huston / Sink Hole / Dead, Drunk, and Naked / Guitar Man Upstairs / Lookout Mountain / ENCORE / 3 Dimes Down / Zip City / Let There Be Rock / A World of Hurt / Buttholeville > State Trooper (B. Springsteen cover) > Buttholeville* / People Who Died (J. Carroll cover)*

* with the Dexateens

And I can't die now cuz I got another show to do ...

White Rabbits, the Walkmen, Spoon (04.11.08)

the Band: White Rabbits, the Walkmen, & Spoon
the Date: Fri April 11, 2008
the Venue: Sonar (Baltimore)

(Photo credit to Robyn Lee and her Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/people/roboppy/?search=roboppy)

White Rabbits was the opening band. Unfortunately, we were a little late to the club and missed some of their set. The part that we did catch was fully entertaining. As I understand things, this sextet is relatively new to the indie scene (please don't ask me to describe what that scene is ... I don't know). We really liked what we saw and were bummed that we missed some of their show. Keep it up boys and visit us again soon.

(Photo credit to Gretchen Robinette and her Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/people/gretchenrobinette/?search=gretchen+robinette)

The Walkmen was the band I was really interested in seeing. I've been following these guys since before they were the Walkmen (yeah, I'm talking about Jonathan Fire*Eater and the Recoys). Did you know they all grew up in DC? Suffice it to say, I'm a HUGE fan. Last night, these guys did not disappoint. It was an amazing set including the Rat, Another One Goes By, All Hands and the Cook, ... and even Wake Up! There were a ton of new songs as well including (sorry if I got the names wrong) I Lost You, Canadian Girls and Donde Esta La Playa? This may have been the strongest Walkmen show I've ever seen. The whole group was SPOT ON and Hamilton Leithauser belted and crooned his way through the entire show. It's been a full two years since their third album, A Hundred Miles Off, was released and I simply cannot wait until their next release (out this summer maybe) ... more music ... more shows ... more, more, more!

(Photo credit to Ryan Dombal and his Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/people/ryandombal/?search=ryandombal)

As if we didn't get enough, Spoon ended the night with a superb performance. Much of their set concentrated on tunes from their 2007 album, Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga. My personal favorites included Don't Make Me A Target, Don't You Evah, You Got Yr Cherry Bomb, I Turn My Camera On, the Underdog, Small Stakes, and The Beast And Dragon Adored (just to name a few) but it seemed to be that every tune they played was a fan-favorite. The crowd absolutely loved these guys. Britt Daniels and the other Austin boys returned the favor by playing not one, but two encores.

If you haven't figured it out by now, the night was a complete success. With White Rabbits, the Walkmen and Spoon on the bill, how could it be anything less?

And when you believe they call it Rock and Roll ...

Ambulance LTD (04.07.08)

the Band: Ambulance LTD

the Date: Mon April 7, 2008

the Venue: Rock and Roll Hotel (DC)

 

(Photo credit to Keri Beckwith and Spin.com)

Over three years have gone by since the NY-based band played to a DC audience (at least since I saw them play at the Black Cat with Elefant back in August 2004 … but I guess they opened for the Killers at the 9:30 Club in October 2004 – I didn't see that show). However long it has been, the boys in Ambulance LTD clearly did not forget us. Well, I should say singer Marcos Congelton (the only remaining member from the original group) did not forget us. Their set, like the band itself, was a mix of old and new. Of course, they played fan-favorites like Heavy Lifting, Stay Where You Are, Anecdote and Primitive (The Way I Treat You). They also played plenty of new tunes like Upsetter, Dark Energy, and Ivy … you can listen to some of these new tunes at their (a-hem) MySpace Page or at their website. The show was grrrrreat; an absolute solid performance that had everyone tapping their toes and bobbing their heads (which everyone knows is practically a standing ovation for any DC crowd). We left the club happily looking forward to the band's next visit. When does their new LP come out? Oh yeah, as their MySpace page declares, very, very soon …….

I suppose I should mention the opening acts. We completely missed the first band, Bear Hands (no offense, guys). The second band, Wild Light, was shite. I don't think it was due to equipment malfunctions either (despite their petulant cries to the contrary). Oh well, we were there for one band and one band only … Ambulance LTD.

So, relax ... don't think about it ... the way I treat you . . .

John Doe, Wilco (02.27.08)

the Band: John Doe, Wilco
the Date: Wednesday February 27, 2008
the Venue: 9:30 Club (DC)

(Photo credit to Will Marsh and his Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/people/marshin13/)

John Doe, formerly of X and the Knitters, opened the show. We totally missed this set. Sorry, Johnny Boy.

The band we all came to see was Wilco. This was the second of their two-night stint at the 9:30 Club. Too bad we missed the first night because the second was AMAZING!

Wilco, made up of Jeff Tweedy (vocals, guitar), John Stirratt (bass), Nels Cline (guitar), Glenn Kotche (drums), Pat Sansone (multi-instrumentalist), and Mikael Jorgensen (keyboard), has been around for years and is one of my all-time favorite bands. They are truly one of the live acts you must see before you die. They were focusing on their most recent album, Sky Blue Sky, but these guys were playing tunes from their entire catalog. My favorites were Sunken Treasure, Handshake Drugs, Impossible Germany, Jesus, Etc., I’m the Man Who Loves You, Hummingbird, Via Chicago (where Glenn went absolutely ape-shit), California Stars, Casino Queen, and I’m a Wheel … yeah, that’s nearly every song they played. No doubt about it, I love Wilco!

Helping with the overall energy were the Total Pros, a three-man horn section from Wilco’s hometown of Chicago that pumped up the funk on songs like Hate It Here and I’m the Man Who Loves You.

Full setlist: Sunken Treasure / Remember the Mountain Bed / Company in My Back / You Are My Face / Side With the Seeds / She’s a Jar / A Shot in the Arm / Nothingsevergonnastandinmyway (Again) / Handshake Drugs / Pot Kettle Black / When the Roses Bloom Again / Impossible Germany / It’s Just That Simple / Someday Soon / Box Full of Letters / I’m Always in Love / Pieholden Suite (w/Total Pros horns) / Jesus, Etc. / Hate it Here (w/Total Pros horns) / Walken (w/Total Pros horns) / I’m the Man Who Loves You (w/Total Pros horns) / Hummingbird / On and On and On / ENCORE 1 / Via Chicago / California Stars / ENCORE 2 / Casino Queen / I’m a Wheel / Monday (w/Total Pros horns)

Our love, Our love, Our love is all we have ...

Mason Jennings, Guster (02.28.07)

the Band: Mason Jennings, Guster
the Date: Wednesday February 28, 2007
the Venue: 9:30 Club (DC)

(Photo credit to Jane Fulmer and her Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/people/99797341@N00/)

Mason Jennings opened. We only caught the last few songs. It sounded nice though. Oh well.

Guster was the main performance. Guster now includes Nashville-based multi-instrumentalist Joe Pisapia as a full-time member alongside original members Ryan Miller (vocals/guitar), Adam Gardner (vocals/bass), and Brian Rosenworcel (percussion). This was the first of two scheduled performances at the 9:30 Club. Unfortunately, we only got tickets for the first night. They played a range of songs from four of their five albums, making every Guster fan in the club happy, myself included.

The band opened somewhat quietly with Ramona, a sweet song off of 2003’s Keep It Together. They moved seamlessly between the old and new records, playing songs like Satellite, The New Underground, One Man Wrecking Machine, and The Captain from their latest album Ganging Up on the Sun.

We loved every song, but the fan favorites seemed to be the older hits like Barrel of a Gun, Red Oyster Cult, Careful, Demons and Amsterdam. The show reached its peak with a dramatic rendition of Airport Song. Another highlight was X-Ray Eyes, when Ryan got the disco ball turning around because the song “reminds him of the prom.” Adam showed off some of his trumpet skills on a few songs. And, of course, Brian banged away on the bongos the entire night … taped fingers be damned!

Guster ended strongly with an encore that included the bitter yet intense Happier, during which everyone relished the chance to scream out the lyric “son of a bitch.” They closed as they opened, quietly, with an acoustic version of Jesus on the Radio from Ganging Up on the Sun. This was one of the best moments of the night, because the entire club became totally silent for the entire song, and then erupted in applause the second it was over. Awesome!

Full setlist: Ramona / Satellite / Barrel of a Gun / Brazil / One Man Wrecking Machine / Red Oyster Cult / Demons / Captain / X-Ray Eyes / Come Downstairs and Say Hello / What You Wish For / Careful / Ruby Falls / Amsterdam / Manifest Destiny / Airport Song / ENCORE / Two Points for Honesty (sung by the crowd only until the first chorus and then Guster came out to finish) / Keep It Together / New Underground / Happier / Jesus On the Radio (unplugged)

Say goodbye, lose your friends, make them go, don't need them around …