you are not just anyone
Friday was my third trip to Brooklyn and my fourth time seeing Ted Leo. It was a benefit show for Callum Robbins and he played along with Last Letters, The Forms, and Medications. My friend felt it necessary to point out that, this time, it was Ted Leo and the Medications. I didn't think it was that funny, but i obviously felt the need to point it out too.
Anyway...
On a FREEZING night with five friends and two spare tickets of friends who flaked, I was on my way to Brooklyn for my first time at North Six. Apparently, it was also my last as they're shutting down as of tomorrow. Sad, because the place was actually pretty cool. Arriving before doors ensured us an excellent spot right in front of the stage, just left of center.
Last Letters was pretty good. Kind of generically so. They had the misfortune of being the first of four bands, and the least likely to be remembered. I liked them as they were playing, but i don't remember a single thing now. I think the comment between us when they ended was, "did you see the drummer???" but that was just the girls.
The same comment was immediately on everybody's mind as the Forms played, but we definitely transmitted it through looks then flat out laughing as they played. It was bad enough that he had a reflective bass drum (who wants to see themselves in a drum? seriously) but he was the most frightening thimg I'd ever seen. I was pretty legit scared. He looked like he was playing for some sort of death metal band, teeth bared and screaming. awkward. and scary. By the time they were done (which was a while, the last song ended about four times before it actually ended) we didn't even need to speak to each other. We were all thinking the same thing.
Medications, however, were awesome. Maybe I just have a thing for power trios, but they kicked a lot of ass. And I was so stunned by the bass player. He was AMAZING. Freaking ridiculous. And just when I thought I couldn't be any more impressed by him, he whips out more. All I could think after was, 'teach me.' How badass would that be? I need to find out how to contact him. Anyway. The other two were no less amazing, really. And they inspired me to want to actually listen to their music, something the other bands failed at. It is on the next music to get list.
And the the man himself, Ted Leo. Now, as they're setting up his microphone, it is literally in front of me. The entire set I had to uncomfortably look straight up to see him. I'm not complaining, I just want to accurately depict how close I was.
What he played:
Bleeding Powers
Sword in the Stone
some other song I didn't recognize, most likely a cover
Bottle of Buckie
The High Party
a cover of a song by the Wire
He then went on a long tangent about the Wire, and his first demo tape, how they actually used tapes back in his day, and somewhere in there a Springsteen impression popped-up, playing Wire songs in a basement in Jersey (or something to that effect). During said tangent, he happens to drop his pick, and tells us. Luckily he has another one.
(it is after this point that my recollection of the order of songs gets hazy. I have to learn to write these things down!)
A Heart Needs a Home (Richard Thompson)
Factory Girl (Rolling Stones)
Where Have All the Rude Boys Gone?
Me and Mia
Dirty Old Town (Pogues)
Timorous Me
Keep on Pushin (Curtis Mayfield)
To Whom You Were Born (Lungfish)
Encore:
Dancing in the Dark (Springsteen)
Once he'd left the stage for good, one of my friend's presented me with the dropped pick. It was a very special moment.
Solo, he's very different. But I love to see him live because he is such a great performer. Part stand-up act even. I really could listen to him just talk. I'm glad to have seen him solo, playing different songs, hearing familiar ones "acoustic", and having just a more relaxed, intimate feel. But ultimately, I prefer him with the Pharmacists. Most of his songs just need the full band. I swear it's not just my affinity for a certain big haired bassist.
Anyway...
On a FREEZING night with five friends and two spare tickets of friends who flaked, I was on my way to Brooklyn for my first time at North Six. Apparently, it was also my last as they're shutting down as of tomorrow. Sad, because the place was actually pretty cool. Arriving before doors ensured us an excellent spot right in front of the stage, just left of center.
Last Letters was pretty good. Kind of generically so. They had the misfortune of being the first of four bands, and the least likely to be remembered. I liked them as they were playing, but i don't remember a single thing now. I think the comment between us when they ended was, "did you see the drummer???" but that was just the girls.
The same comment was immediately on everybody's mind as the Forms played, but we definitely transmitted it through looks then flat out laughing as they played. It was bad enough that he had a reflective bass drum (who wants to see themselves in a drum? seriously) but he was the most frightening thimg I'd ever seen. I was pretty legit scared. He looked like he was playing for some sort of death metal band, teeth bared and screaming. awkward. and scary. By the time they were done (which was a while, the last song ended about four times before it actually ended) we didn't even need to speak to each other. We were all thinking the same thing.
Medications, however, were awesome. Maybe I just have a thing for power trios, but they kicked a lot of ass. And I was so stunned by the bass player. He was AMAZING. Freaking ridiculous. And just when I thought I couldn't be any more impressed by him, he whips out more. All I could think after was, 'teach me.' How badass would that be? I need to find out how to contact him. Anyway. The other two were no less amazing, really. And they inspired me to want to actually listen to their music, something the other bands failed at. It is on the next music to get list.
And the the man himself, Ted Leo. Now, as they're setting up his microphone, it is literally in front of me. The entire set I had to uncomfortably look straight up to see him. I'm not complaining, I just want to accurately depict how close I was.
What he played:
Bleeding Powers
Sword in the Stone
some other song I didn't recognize, most likely a cover
Bottle of Buckie
The High Party
a cover of a song by the Wire
He then went on a long tangent about the Wire, and his first demo tape, how they actually used tapes back in his day, and somewhere in there a Springsteen impression popped-up, playing Wire songs in a basement in Jersey (or something to that effect). During said tangent, he happens to drop his pick, and tells us. Luckily he has another one.
(it is after this point that my recollection of the order of songs gets hazy. I have to learn to write these things down!)
A Heart Needs a Home (Richard Thompson)
Factory Girl (Rolling Stones)
Where Have All the Rude Boys Gone?
Me and Mia
Dirty Old Town (Pogues)
Timorous Me
Keep on Pushin (Curtis Mayfield)
To Whom You Were Born (Lungfish)
Encore:
Dancing in the Dark (Springsteen)
Once he'd left the stage for good, one of my friend's presented me with the dropped pick. It was a very special moment.
Solo, he's very different. But I love to see him live because he is such a great performer. Part stand-up act even. I really could listen to him just talk. I'm glad to have seen him solo, playing different songs, hearing familiar ones "acoustic", and having just a more relaxed, intimate feel. But ultimately, I prefer him with the Pharmacists. Most of his songs just need the full band. I swear it's not just my affinity for a certain big haired bassist.