the Sounds, the Strokes (03.09.04)

the Band: the Sounds, the Strokes
the Date: Tuesday March 9, 2004
the Venue: Nation (DC)

(Photo credit to Rachel Goldstar and her Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/people/rachelgoldstar/)

The Sounds opened. They are a Swedish rock band … kind of reminded me of Blondie. Their front gal, Maja Ivarsson (vocals), is backed by solid band consisting of Felix Rodriguez (guitar), Jesper Anderberg (keyboards), Johan Bengtsson (bass), and Fredrik Nilsson (drums). They were great.

(Photo credit to Alexia and her Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/people/fantaraxia/)

The Strokes were kicking off a tour in support of their sophomore album, Room On Fire. Since I first saw these guys back in 2002, I’ve been a big fan and had been looking forward to this show. These New Yorkers, Julian Casablancas (vocals), Albert Hammond, Jr. (guitar), Nick Valensi (guitar), Nikolai Fraiture (bass), and Fabrizio Moretti (drums), put on a great show.

Whether it was the energetic crowd (unusual for DC) or because they were kicking off a new tour, the Strokes were really into the audience and into their music. There was a lot of interaction between front-man, Julian (who’s typically stoic), and the crowd … at one point he was taking requests. Julian even went so far as to leave the stage during The Modern Age, climbing halfway into the crowd directly in front to be greeted by fans eager to touch the singer. By the song’s end, he was fully immersed in the crowd. The Strokes played a long amazing set, introduced several false endings, and did not return for an encore. That’s okay though, cuz we all left completely satisfied. Awesome!

Full setlist (not for this show, but for a show around this time … sorry, best I can do): The End Has No End / Under Control / Automatic Stop / You Talk Way Too Much / Someday / The Way It Is / 12:51 / New York City Cops / Hard To Explain / Trying Your Luck / Soma / The Modern Age / Meet Me In The Bathroom / I Can’t Win / Reptilia / Last Nite / Alone, Together / What Ever Happened? / When It Started / Barely Legal / Is This It? / Take It Or Leave It


I wanna be forgotten
And I don’t wanna be reminded . . .

Mooney Suzuki, Jimmy Fallon, the Strokes (11.26.02)

the Band: Mooney Suzuki, Jimmy Fallon, the Strokes
the Date: Tue November 26, 2002
the Venue: DAR Constitution Hall (DC)

(Photo credit to someone on the internet)

Mooney Suzuki was the first opener. I totally missed this set. Bummer!

Then Jimmy Fallon performed … yes, the guy from Saturday Night Live. He just sang a bunch of songs in a super-high pitch, wearing white pajamas. I chuckled at the first tune, but then the rest of his set was just annoying. Not sure why he was touring with these bands.

Then, the Strokes finally took the stage. They started with Last Nite and the crowd went nuts. The show was fun. The band seemed a little tired of playing the same tunes. They were way more energetic when I saw them in Houston back in January. Still yet, it was a good show.

Full setlist: Last Nite / The Way It Is / I Can't Win / Is This It? / Hard to Explain / New York City Cops / Ze Newie / The Modern Age / You Talk Way Too Much / Someday / Alone, Together / Trying Your Luck / Meet Me in the Bathroom / Barely Legal / Soma / Take It or Leave It

on top of this I ain’t ever gonna understand . . .

the Strokes (01.24.02)

the Band: the Strokes

the Date: Fri January 24, 2002
the Venue: Verizon Wireless Theater (Houston)

(Photo credit to ROCKZONE.com http://www.rockzone.com/pictures/strokes-012402.shtml)

I was in Houston for work (I was always in Houston for work) and looking for something to do. Even though I was pretty sick with a cold, I didn’t want to miss this band that I had heard so much about. So after a little pharmaceutical strength (thank you, Sudafed), I made my way downtown to the Verizon Theater. It was all worth it.

The Strokes are from New York. They were relatively new but there was a near-hysterical buzz about them and their debut album, Is This It?. The band is made up of Julian Casablancas (vocals), Nick Valensi (guitar), Albert Hammond Jr. (guitar), Nikolai Fraiture (bass) and Fab Moretti (drums).

The show was great even though it was short and quick. I think they played every song in their catalog, even the “controversial” tune, New York City Cops. That was part of the excitement. These guys were so young, just starting out, and they were playing everything they had. It was perfect. I didn’t leave the show wanting more because I knew there was nothing more give. What was given was full-on Rock and Roll.

(Photo credit to ROCKZONE.com http://www.rockzone.com/pictures/strokes-012402.shtml)

This show deserves a special note: around this time, I was growing disappointed with the music scene. Though I loved the music from my college days (1990-94, fueled by DC’s 99.1 WHFS), I felt the late 90’s had little to offer … too much Offspring, Kid Rock, Limp Bizkit and other screeching rap-rockers. Where did rock and roll go? Needless to say, my interest in music was fizzling out … I even started listening to a little country music. Gasp! Then, my buddy Roy made a mixed-CD for me. It contained a track from the Strokes. It was awesome! I must have played that track dozens of times. This band absolutely woke me up from my music listening slumber. Thanks, Roy … oh and thanks, Strokes, you scruffy-looking saviors of rock, you. I’m awake now.

Full setlist: Modern Age / Someday / Ze Newie / New York City Cops / Soma / Is This It? / Hard to Explain / Last Nite / Alone Together / Barely Legal / When it Started / Trying Your Luck / Meet Me in the Bathroom / Take it or Leave it

And girls lie too much
And boys act too tough
Enough is enough ...