2007 Concert Year in Review
I did a lot more traveling in 2007 than I had in most prior years, and this year's concert list is smaller both because money expended on traveling is money that isn't available for gigs, and because I was out of town for a lot of shows I would otherwise not have missed, including most notably The Fiery Furnaces, Weird Al, and the Polyphonic Spree. Then both Etta James and the Cowboy Junkies canceled their Cain Park gigs. So right off the bat that's 5 shows knocked off my list that should have been there. On the bright side, the only show I missed while I was in town that I regret is The Old 97s, who were playing the same night as my Ultimate league. Conflicts also kept me from seeing Josh Ritter (same night as Bad Religion). Despite these setbacks, in the past year I managed to make it to 34 concerts with 51 bands, plus the Jello Biafra spoken word gig which was the very first thing I saw in 2007.
There were a number of the usual suspects. I saw Neko Case, Antibalas, They Might Be Giants, and Bela Fleck & the Flecktones for the second time each. I saw Bruce Springsteen for the third time and the second overall with the E Street Band. I caught Interpol and the Weakerthans for the third time (and probably final time, given the quality dropoff), and Fred Eaglesmith for at least the fourth. I paid homage to Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings for the fifth time, and I've now seen The Black Keys seven times.
There were plenty of bands who I either don't remember at all, or who I wish I didn't remember. The best example of this might be the band who opened for Van Halen. I can't tell you their name, because it was never announced and I couldn't find it on the web anywhere. Maybe they were embarrassed to say their name, because they certainly weren't very good. Other unimpressive opening acts included Chin Chin, Holy Fuck, Chum and Man at Arms, and Danbert Nobacon, who were all so bad that I simply don't remember them. Other openers who weren't just boring - see BJ O'Malley, Jim Gill, the Briggs, and Boatzzz.
This is not to say that the other opening acts were all stellar. Some of them were terrible, but at least they were memorably terrible. The best example of this is Corn Mo, who opened for TMBG and can best be described as 'a guy who looked like Meatloaf singing the songs of Queen, badly, with accordion and tape machine'. Regardless of how you feel about his musical 'talent', forgetting Corn Mo will take a lot of hard work, or possibly grain alcohol and a lobotomy. And then there was the always classy Paul Wall, who apparently is credited with popularizing the grill so popular among some hip-hop and rap stars at the moment. I'm glad he's got that going for him, because I'm fairly certain that I could rap better than him - but I must move on, because I'm starting to twitch just thinking about how bad his act was.
Disappointing, But I'd Probably Try Them Again.
1- Yo La Tengo. I enjoyed their concert, but I thought it was good, not great. After their show at the Beachland everyone else was screaming accolades and talking about it being the best show they'd seen ever. Later the band said on the web site that they were sort of embarrassed about how off they'd been that night, so at least I'm not totally off base.
2- Charlie Hunter Trio. This was the most jazz-like show I made it to this year, and the music was excellent, with Hunter's oddly stringed and tuned guitar coming across like a Hammond organ and the tight switches and solos fully bearing out the people who had recommend them to me. The disappointment is because the opening acts canceled, and the Trio started early, so by the time I got there they only had 20 minutes left, and the Beachland still charged me full price. I'd love to see a full show.
3- Peter, Bjorn & John. Their Cleveland premiere had a full house and moments of brilliance, but every time they really got going they'd inexplicably kill the momentum with an odd song choice or poorly timed banter. If they'd rearranged their set list this could have been one of the best shows of the year; as it was I felt vaguely disappointed.
I Went In Expecting to Buy a CD, and Saw Nothing to Change My Mind.
1- Neko Case. Actually, I bought two CDs. I didn't think she could top the first time I saw her, and she blew it out of the water. One of the best artists working today.
2- The Weakerthans. I've seen them three times and have bought three CDs. These The best band from Winnipeg currently playing.
3- The Charms. This girl led rock band had a total of 5 fans at the Beachland Tavern, but that didn't stop them from rocking the house. I had a great time. Plus a fight broke out, which is always entertaining. The bouncer slammed two kids into a door frame.
4- The Ditty Bops actually put on a lack luster show. It was fun, but it wasn't anything special. On the other hand, I'd had an illegal copy of their debut album for quite some time, so I felt I owed it to them.
I Didn't Expect to Buy a CD, but They Were Awesome So How Could I Not?
1- Mirah was fun, but odd. Quirky, really. I never expected to buy a CD at this gig, but she was just so much fun.
2- Peter Mulvey's show was criminally empty. I bought his newest CD solely for the awesomeness that is 'Girl in the Hi-Tops', and because he was such a nice guy.
3- Of Montreal was an exciting indie rock show that kept me moving on the floor even though I knew very few of their songs going in.
I Saw Them Once, and That Was Enough.
1- Dick Dale. If you like surf music even the slightest bit, you owe it to yourself to see him once. The guitar legend can still rip it up with the best of them despite being in his mid-sixties. His bandmates were in their twenties and had trouble keeping up with his energy. On the other hand, while I had a great time it's not like he's doing new and vital work any more.
2- Robert Earl Keen. He was written one truly great song, 'The Road Goes On Forever but the Party Never Ends', and now that I've seen him do that I don't know that I need to see him again.
3- Megadeath. We thrashed like it was 1989 all over again. I'm not sure that can be topped.
4- Van Halen. This show was an unexpected delight, given how pricey it would have been if I'd been paying for it I don't see checking them out again.
5- Bad Religion. It was good, but like most punk bands I didn't see anything to drag me in a second time, other than perhaps my friends, who turned out in force for it.
I Saw Them Again, and Will Do So Even More Times
1- The Black Keys. I saw them twice. Was it better to hear them from the very front of the crowd at the Agora, or from high in the balcony at the Akron Civic? I'm going to have to lean toward the Agora.
2- Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings. Still the best funk going.
3- Fred Eaglesmith. Nobody's going to dance, but you'll laugh your head off.
4- Neko Case. See my comments above.
5- They Might Be Giants. Totally made up for how unimpressive they were when I first saw four years ago.
Music My Parents Would Like
1- Neko Case
2- The Ditty Bops
3- Rasputina (maybe)
4- Robert Earl Keen
5- Peter Mulvey
6- The Mekons (the folkier stuff)
Best of the Year
6 - Rasputina @ Grog Shop. This was bizarrely fun, sort of like a Dresden Dolls show with a vague veneer of classical pretentions. It had plenty of cello, which I expected, and a steely core in the iron will of their lead singer, which was a surprise. The first show I've ever seen where the band refused to continue until everyone sat down and shut up, and which inspired zero ill will by making that proclamation.
5 - Neko Case @ Beachland Ballroom. A talented artist at the peak of her powers.
4 - Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings @ Beachland Ballroom. Given all the interest she's been getting lately from mainstream media, the next time around she may be at a bigger venue.
3- The Black Keys @ Cleveland Agora. If they continue their current trajectory, they can duel with Devo for the title of greatest band from Akron ever. They've already passed the Pretenders, IMHO.
2 - Heaven & Hell @ TCA. Or, Black Sabbath circa 1980 using a different name for political reasons. Don't let anyone tell you that Ozzy was the best front man for Sabbath. Dio proved otherwise at this show, which featured some of the sickest music I've ever heard.
1- The Mekons @ Pats in the Flats. So ron0 talked me into going to see a band that I knew almost nothing about at a crappy little venue that usually has terrible local bands, and I saw the best concert of 2007 put on by an ebullient group of music veterans who've been together off and on for 30 years and have gone from punk to folk and back, sometimes in the same song. I regret not buying some CDs, that's for sure. I'd go again in a heartbeat.
Jello Biafra - F 2/23 - Beachland Ballroom
The Charms w/Boatzzz - R 3/1 - Beachland Tavern
Of Montreal - M 3/19 - Beachland Ballroom
Neko Case w/John Rauhouse - Su 4/01 - Beachland Ballroom
WRUW 40th Anniversary Concert:
This Is Exploding, Lick the Blade, Tracey Marie - S 4/14 - Grog Shop
Yo La Tengo - T 4/17 - Beachland Ballroom
VNV Nation w/And One - T 4/24 - Peabodys
Antibalas w/Chin Chin - W 5/02 - Beachland Ballroom
Fred Eaglesmith w/GS Harper - T 5/08 - Beachland Ballroom
Heaven & Hell w/Megadeth, Machine Head - F 5/11 - Tower City Amphitheater
Peter Mulvey w/Jim Gill - R 5/17 - Beachland Tavern
Dick Dale w/Whiskey Daredevils - F 5/18 - Grog Shop
The Honda Civic Tour:
Fall Out Boy, Plus 44, The Academy Is, Paul Wall, Cobra Starship - Su 5/20 -
Blossom
!!! w/Holy Fuck - M 5/21 - Grog Shop
Robert Earl Keen w/BJ O'Malley - R 6/14 - House of Blues
The Black Keys w/The Walkmen - M 6/25 - Agora Theater
Mirah w/Laura Veirs - R 7/19 - Beachland Ballroom
They Might Be Giants w/Corn Mo - S 7/21 - Beachland Ballroom
Interpol - M 7/23 - House of Blues
Rasputina w/My Beautiful Diamond - T 8/07 - Grog Shop
Bela Fleck & the Flecktones - S 8/11 - Cain Park, Evans Amphitheatre
The Budos Band - Su 8/19 - Beachland Tavern
The Ditty Bops w/Ice Cream Truck - S 9/01 - The Kent Stage
Heartless Bastards - F 9/07 - Beachland Tavern
Studio-A-Rama 2007 - S 9/15 with (didn't stay full time)
- Unsparing Sea, Chum, Man At Arms, Enon
The Mekons w/Danbert Nobacon, Coffinberry - S 9/29 - Pat's in the Flats
The Charlie Hunter Trio - M 10/01 - Beachland Ballroom
Van Halen w/[some unknown band] - W 10/10 - Quicken Loans Arena
Bad Religion w/The Briggs - R 10/11 - Agora Theater
Weakerthans - F 10/27 - Grog Shop
Cruciform Injection - S 11/03 - Phantasy Nite Club (Laurie's Wedding)
Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band - Su 11/04 - Quicken Loans Arena
Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings w/The Ultimate Ovation - Beachland Ballroom - T 11/20
Peter, Bjorn & John - Beachland Ballroom - R 11/29
The Black Keys - Akron Civic Theater - S 12/22
Spoken Word - 1
Concerts - 34
Beachland Ballroom - 11
Grog Shop - 4
Beachland Tavern - 4
Agora Theater - 2
Quicken Loans Arena - 2
I've been working on this post off and on for a few hours now, and since it doesn't have a real point, I hereby declare it finished. Plenty of good shows are coming in 2008, and you'll read about them all here. Here's a teaser: They Might Be Giants at the Beachland Ballroom on Wednesday, February 27.
There were a number of the usual suspects. I saw Neko Case, Antibalas, They Might Be Giants, and Bela Fleck & the Flecktones for the second time each. I saw Bruce Springsteen for the third time and the second overall with the E Street Band. I caught Interpol and the Weakerthans for the third time (and probably final time, given the quality dropoff), and Fred Eaglesmith for at least the fourth. I paid homage to Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings for the fifth time, and I've now seen The Black Keys seven times.
There were plenty of bands who I either don't remember at all, or who I wish I didn't remember. The best example of this might be the band who opened for Van Halen. I can't tell you their name, because it was never announced and I couldn't find it on the web anywhere. Maybe they were embarrassed to say their name, because they certainly weren't very good. Other unimpressive opening acts included Chin Chin, Holy Fuck, Chum and Man at Arms, and Danbert Nobacon, who were all so bad that I simply don't remember them. Other openers who weren't just boring - see BJ O'Malley, Jim Gill, the Briggs, and Boatzzz.
This is not to say that the other opening acts were all stellar. Some of them were terrible, but at least they were memorably terrible. The best example of this is Corn Mo, who opened for TMBG and can best be described as 'a guy who looked like Meatloaf singing the songs of Queen, badly, with accordion and tape machine'. Regardless of how you feel about his musical 'talent', forgetting Corn Mo will take a lot of hard work, or possibly grain alcohol and a lobotomy. And then there was the always classy Paul Wall, who apparently is credited with popularizing the grill so popular among some hip-hop and rap stars at the moment. I'm glad he's got that going for him, because I'm fairly certain that I could rap better than him - but I must move on, because I'm starting to twitch just thinking about how bad his act was.
Disappointing, But I'd Probably Try Them Again.
1- Yo La Tengo. I enjoyed their concert, but I thought it was good, not great. After their show at the Beachland everyone else was screaming accolades and talking about it being the best show they'd seen ever. Later the band said on the web site that they were sort of embarrassed about how off they'd been that night, so at least I'm not totally off base.
2- Charlie Hunter Trio. This was the most jazz-like show I made it to this year, and the music was excellent, with Hunter's oddly stringed and tuned guitar coming across like a Hammond organ and the tight switches and solos fully bearing out the people who had recommend them to me. The disappointment is because the opening acts canceled, and the Trio started early, so by the time I got there they only had 20 minutes left, and the Beachland still charged me full price. I'd love to see a full show.
3- Peter, Bjorn & John. Their Cleveland premiere had a full house and moments of brilliance, but every time they really got going they'd inexplicably kill the momentum with an odd song choice or poorly timed banter. If they'd rearranged their set list this could have been one of the best shows of the year; as it was I felt vaguely disappointed.
I Went In Expecting to Buy a CD, and Saw Nothing to Change My Mind.
1- Neko Case. Actually, I bought two CDs. I didn't think she could top the first time I saw her, and she blew it out of the water. One of the best artists working today.
2- The Weakerthans. I've seen them three times and have bought three CDs. These The best band from Winnipeg currently playing.
3- The Charms. This girl led rock band had a total of 5 fans at the Beachland Tavern, but that didn't stop them from rocking the house. I had a great time. Plus a fight broke out, which is always entertaining. The bouncer slammed two kids into a door frame.
4- The Ditty Bops actually put on a lack luster show. It was fun, but it wasn't anything special. On the other hand, I'd had an illegal copy of their debut album for quite some time, so I felt I owed it to them.
I Didn't Expect to Buy a CD, but They Were Awesome So How Could I Not?
1- Mirah was fun, but odd. Quirky, really. I never expected to buy a CD at this gig, but she was just so much fun.
2- Peter Mulvey's show was criminally empty. I bought his newest CD solely for the awesomeness that is 'Girl in the Hi-Tops', and because he was such a nice guy.
3- Of Montreal was an exciting indie rock show that kept me moving on the floor even though I knew very few of their songs going in.
I Saw Them Once, and That Was Enough.
1- Dick Dale. If you like surf music even the slightest bit, you owe it to yourself to see him once. The guitar legend can still rip it up with the best of them despite being in his mid-sixties. His bandmates were in their twenties and had trouble keeping up with his energy. On the other hand, while I had a great time it's not like he's doing new and vital work any more.
2- Robert Earl Keen. He was written one truly great song, 'The Road Goes On Forever but the Party Never Ends', and now that I've seen him do that I don't know that I need to see him again.
3- Megadeath. We thrashed like it was 1989 all over again. I'm not sure that can be topped.
4- Van Halen. This show was an unexpected delight, given how pricey it would have been if I'd been paying for it I don't see checking them out again.
5- Bad Religion. It was good, but like most punk bands I didn't see anything to drag me in a second time, other than perhaps my friends, who turned out in force for it.
I Saw Them Again, and Will Do So Even More Times
1- The Black Keys. I saw them twice. Was it better to hear them from the very front of the crowd at the Agora, or from high in the balcony at the Akron Civic? I'm going to have to lean toward the Agora.
2- Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings. Still the best funk going.
3- Fred Eaglesmith. Nobody's going to dance, but you'll laugh your head off.
4- Neko Case. See my comments above.
5- They Might Be Giants. Totally made up for how unimpressive they were when I first saw four years ago.
Music My Parents Would Like
1- Neko Case
2- The Ditty Bops
3- Rasputina (maybe)
4- Robert Earl Keen
5- Peter Mulvey
6- The Mekons (the folkier stuff)
Best of the Year
6 - Rasputina @ Grog Shop. This was bizarrely fun, sort of like a Dresden Dolls show with a vague veneer of classical pretentions. It had plenty of cello, which I expected, and a steely core in the iron will of their lead singer, which was a surprise. The first show I've ever seen where the band refused to continue until everyone sat down and shut up, and which inspired zero ill will by making that proclamation.
5 - Neko Case @ Beachland Ballroom. A talented artist at the peak of her powers.
4 - Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings @ Beachland Ballroom. Given all the interest she's been getting lately from mainstream media, the next time around she may be at a bigger venue.
3- The Black Keys @ Cleveland Agora. If they continue their current trajectory, they can duel with Devo for the title of greatest band from Akron ever. They've already passed the Pretenders, IMHO.
2 - Heaven & Hell @ TCA. Or, Black Sabbath circa 1980 using a different name for political reasons. Don't let anyone tell you that Ozzy was the best front man for Sabbath. Dio proved otherwise at this show, which featured some of the sickest music I've ever heard.
1- The Mekons @ Pats in the Flats. So ron0 talked me into going to see a band that I knew almost nothing about at a crappy little venue that usually has terrible local bands, and I saw the best concert of 2007 put on by an ebullient group of music veterans who've been together off and on for 30 years and have gone from punk to folk and back, sometimes in the same song. I regret not buying some CDs, that's for sure. I'd go again in a heartbeat.
Jello Biafra - F 2/23 - Beachland Ballroom
The Charms w/Boatzzz - R 3/1 - Beachland Tavern
Of Montreal - M 3/19 - Beachland Ballroom
Neko Case w/John Rauhouse - Su 4/01 - Beachland Ballroom
WRUW 40th Anniversary Concert:
This Is Exploding, Lick the Blade, Tracey Marie - S 4/14 - Grog Shop
Yo La Tengo - T 4/17 - Beachland Ballroom
VNV Nation w/And One - T 4/24 - Peabodys
Antibalas w/Chin Chin - W 5/02 - Beachland Ballroom
Fred Eaglesmith w/GS Harper - T 5/08 - Beachland Ballroom
Heaven & Hell w/Megadeth, Machine Head - F 5/11 - Tower City Amphitheater
Peter Mulvey w/Jim Gill - R 5/17 - Beachland Tavern
Dick Dale w/Whiskey Daredevils - F 5/18 - Grog Shop
The Honda Civic Tour:
Fall Out Boy, Plus 44, The Academy Is, Paul Wall, Cobra Starship - Su 5/20 -
Blossom
!!! w/Holy Fuck - M 5/21 - Grog Shop
Robert Earl Keen w/BJ O'Malley - R 6/14 - House of Blues
The Black Keys w/The Walkmen - M 6/25 - Agora Theater
Mirah w/Laura Veirs - R 7/19 - Beachland Ballroom
They Might Be Giants w/Corn Mo - S 7/21 - Beachland Ballroom
Interpol - M 7/23 - House of Blues
Rasputina w/My Beautiful Diamond - T 8/07 - Grog Shop
Bela Fleck & the Flecktones - S 8/11 - Cain Park, Evans Amphitheatre
The Budos Band - Su 8/19 - Beachland Tavern
The Ditty Bops w/Ice Cream Truck - S 9/01 - The Kent Stage
Heartless Bastards - F 9/07 - Beachland Tavern
Studio-A-Rama 2007 - S 9/15 with (didn't stay full time)
- Unsparing Sea, Chum, Man At Arms, Enon
The Mekons w/Danbert Nobacon, Coffinberry - S 9/29 - Pat's in the Flats
The Charlie Hunter Trio - M 10/01 - Beachland Ballroom
Van Halen w/[some unknown band] - W 10/10 - Quicken Loans Arena
Bad Religion w/The Briggs - R 10/11 - Agora Theater
Weakerthans - F 10/27 - Grog Shop
Cruciform Injection - S 11/03 - Phantasy Nite Club (Laurie's Wedding)
Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band - Su 11/04 - Quicken Loans Arena
Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings w/The Ultimate Ovation - Beachland Ballroom - T 11/20
Peter, Bjorn & John - Beachland Ballroom - R 11/29
The Black Keys - Akron Civic Theater - S 12/22
Spoken Word - 1
Concerts - 34
Beachland Ballroom - 11
Grog Shop - 4
Beachland Tavern - 4
Agora Theater - 2
Quicken Loans Arena - 2
I've been working on this post off and on for a few hours now, and since it doesn't have a real point, I hereby declare it finished. Plenty of good shows are coming in 2008, and you'll read about them all here. Here's a teaser: They Might Be Giants at the Beachland Ballroom on Wednesday, February 27.