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 . . .