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It had been far too long since I had last seen Seaweed live. So since Erika and I had already planned our annual jaunt to Southern California that week, we decided to set aside a few days to go up north and catch the show. And that trek was most definitely worth the time and the money. The band’s latest "Actions and Indications" is by far their best effort, and it sounds even better live. And luckily for us, Aaron’s still kept all his fine dancing moves intact, what I like to call the granola crunch…..You’re never in want for amusement with his stoney palaver in between songs either. I’m considering doing another mad road trip for the band if they don’t hit the east coast in the near future.
Call me crazy if you want, but you’ll be the ones missing out.(DW)
I think this is show 35 for me and Erika in the last three years. Proof that it is virtually impossible to get sick of the San Diego gods of rock. At the sold-out Maxwell’s, the band pulled out all the old guns: Pigeon Eater, Sturdy Wrists, Killy Kill…. And as per usual, Speedo was armed with a humorous slew of one-liners and anecdotes—he never ceases to make me giggle incessantly. But Rocket is undoubtedly the best live act out there. They’re raw, sexy, funny, loud, and simply brilliant. In short, to blow off a Rocket show is to make one of the biggest mistakes of your life.(DW)
At last, Sloan is receiving the respect in the US they’ve been deserving for years and years. And luckily for us, they are one of the few bands that can play forever, so brilliantly that you forget for how long they’ve been on stage. That’s because these Canadian geniuses put on a SHOW. And they’ve got the perfect frontman in Chris Murphy. He knows he’s a star, but his ego only accentuates it all.
At Bowery, the band played for well over 90 minutes, but it didn’t feel nearly that long. And no doubt, the personal highlight of the show came from a fantastic rendition of "Laying Blame," which almost made up for Andrew Scott’s 3 song singing stint. Now although some may disagree, his tunes do need work. They’re acid causalities and lack the pop sensibility that makes Murphy’s, Pentland’s and Ferguson’s so great. In fact, I cringe every time he steps up to the mike.
But other than that, everything about Sloan is just perfect. You just can’t hate them because there’s going to be at least one song in their vast catalog that will hit the spot.(DW)
Jocks and former Jerry Springer guests. That’s pretty much the crowd that comprised the last of three sold out dates in New York. And even though the temperature was near the freezing mark, most of the chicks who attended the show thought it necessary to sport tube tops. I mean, come on girls, it’s February and you’re more likely to get pneumonia than Greg Dulli. But the band itself was phenomenal, as always. And it’s good to see Greg back in action after getting pummeled by a mean ol’ Texas bouncer. Can’t wait to see them again.(DW)
It may have been a one-off show for the band (they were in town doing press for their Come On Die Young lp), but they certainly didn’t treat the show with a cavalier or flippant attitude—unlike the crowd gathered around me who wouldn’t shut the fuck up… Considering the chitchat surrounding, it was still easy to get enveloped in the band’s dynamic—Mogwai can soothe you with Codeine-like serenity or blow your brain with their Slint-ian noise. But there’s no need for metaphor or flowery descriptions to describe the band or their shows. You just need one word: brilliant.(DW)
I ran into Delta 72 drummer, Jason Kourkounis, before the show and he was so drunk, he needed me to hold him up for our chat. It is a wonder he was able to play at all. Considering his condition, Delta 72 put on a fine show. But you can always count on them for a good rock and roll time. Sure the drums were five beats behind, but it never really mattered. When you’re at a Delta 72 show, you don’t look for imperfections, you just look to see if you can get down.(DW)
Oh the stars came out for this one—a couple of Girls Against Boys, a Boo Radley, some Wannadies, and other assorted rockers in town after partying in Austin for SXSW. And though the crowd was mainly composed of suits, 3CR put on quite the show. I’ve never been one for their recorded outputs, their full on rock groove is far better suited for a live setting. They’re going to be huge in America it’s inevitable. (DW)
A Blur show just isn’t fun anymore. Perhaps it’s because they waited until the encore to play some songs the crowd actually wanted to hear. And although they brought "Popscene" and "There’s No Other Way" out of the archives, it wasn’t enough. Unless they have a good opener next time, it doesn’t look like I’ll be going to see Blur next time around. (DW)
Mogwai @ Bowery Ballroom,
New York - 22 February 1999
Delta 72 @ The Cooler,
New York- 6 March 1999
3 Colors Red @ Mercury Lounge,
Belfast- 22 March 1999
Blur @ Roseland,
New York- 30 March 1999
views expressed herewithin are strictly
the snotty, unimformed ramblings of the reviewer. If you really want
to know what these people sound like (because you will sure as hell
not find out here) go buy the record at your local independent record
emporium, pester the hell out of your local radio station, or go find
another web site.
give me some live gigs to go to
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