concerts-a-go-go
Wow. Quite an amazing night. So it was originally planned that I was to take Marina to see a concert tonight for her 21st birthday. It just so happened that The Decemberists were playing at the Fillmore, and I was semi-interested in going. It also just so happened that she really liked them and wanted to go. Two tickets later (with many an unnecessary 'service' fee) and two weeks later, we finally arrive at today. I get a call this afternoon from Dominca (thanks for calling!) informing me that Black Rebel Motorcycle Club were playing a short free set at the Amoeba Records in SF shortly before my concert nearby. We left Berkeley early to catch them.
Arriving at Amoeba minutes before they took the stage, I had heard someone say they were staying after to sign things and chat with people. I looked for an LP since I figured that would be cool to have signed and framed, but they were sold out. Instead I bought their first CD, since I already own a copy of Howl... only it's down in San Diego right now. They played a few songs off Howl, Love Burns off BRMC, and another few from Howl. Great set, great sound. There were only two of the three members (Peter Hayes and Robert Turner), which meant no drums, but it still worked perfectly. After they finished, I got in line to have my CD signed. I thought about asking them if they were at all skeptical when releasing their new album as far as retaining their old fanbase was concerned, since it's pretty different in style and feel. Unfortunately, they seemed a little rushed, so I didn't have time to ask. Instead, I got my album signed, and even got a quick picture with them. They were extremely friendly. I told them I loved the new album and I was thrilled they came by for a short performace like this, and Robert Turner shook my hand and thanked me for coming out.
After this, we quickly drove the 10 blocks or so down to the Fillmore, where we found more parking than I had figured there would be. Once inside, we got there just in time to hear Sons and Daughters start their set. I found that they put on a terrific show with lots of energy. Scott Paterson's vocals were amazing, and reminded me quite a bit of Nick Cave, or maybe even an early Tom Waits. Unfortunately, this doesn't come through on the album, so I'd have to recommend seeing them live.
After their performance, Petra Haden and the Sellouts came out. This was composed of Petra Haden (the violinist for the Decemberists) and nine other women who sing acapella covers of tracks off The Who's The Who Sell Out. Definitely an original concept, and done with quite a lot of talent. I don't know if it hooked me into looking for the album, but certainly fun to hear.
Finally, The Decemberists headlined the event. They just might have put on the best live show I've ever seen. And I do mean show. They had all sorts of fun theatrics going on, many weren't even staged. They possessed an energy and enthusiasm that's unfortunately rare among live bands today. I've only heard their latest album, Picaresque, but they played quite a number of songs from earlier recordings as well. Some songs had similar sounds to Bright Eyes or the Arcade Fire. I even heard one song that reminded me a great deal of King Crimson. I really need to listen to their older stuff and find what tracks they are. At some point during the concert, it was announced that it would be a Star Wars themed night. This was perpetuated by an impromptu toy light-saber fight between the drummer and the female keyboardists (the latter winning the duel). It didn't seem scripted, which made it all the more hilarious. Other greats included the singer having us all sit down in the venue (on the standing-only floor) for nap-time, sychronized audience member swaying, and of course the closer for the evening, The Mariner's Revenge. This was performed amazingly well, except for a small incident where the singer accidentally repeated a verse. If you know the song, you know this is a crucial mistake in the progression of the story (instead of the whale rising from the depths of the sea, the sailor finds work aboard a ship again), but the band just smiled and waited for him to realize his mistake. He did, blushed and apologized, and quickly resumed where he left off. Defintely a great end to a great night. As we left the show, they handed out free posters to all who attended.
Photos for your viewing pleasure.
(1) 2/3 of BRMC at Amoeba
(2) Meeting the Band (I'm glad Robert Turner has a similar goofy look as mine.)
(3) Signed BRMC CD
(4) Free Decemberists Poster
Arriving at Amoeba minutes before they took the stage, I had heard someone say they were staying after to sign things and chat with people. I looked for an LP since I figured that would be cool to have signed and framed, but they were sold out. Instead I bought their first CD, since I already own a copy of Howl... only it's down in San Diego right now. They played a few songs off Howl, Love Burns off BRMC, and another few from Howl. Great set, great sound. There were only two of the three members (Peter Hayes and Robert Turner), which meant no drums, but it still worked perfectly. After they finished, I got in line to have my CD signed. I thought about asking them if they were at all skeptical when releasing their new album as far as retaining their old fanbase was concerned, since it's pretty different in style and feel. Unfortunately, they seemed a little rushed, so I didn't have time to ask. Instead, I got my album signed, and even got a quick picture with them. They were extremely friendly. I told them I loved the new album and I was thrilled they came by for a short performace like this, and Robert Turner shook my hand and thanked me for coming out.
After this, we quickly drove the 10 blocks or so down to the Fillmore, where we found more parking than I had figured there would be. Once inside, we got there just in time to hear Sons and Daughters start their set. I found that they put on a terrific show with lots of energy. Scott Paterson's vocals were amazing, and reminded me quite a bit of Nick Cave, or maybe even an early Tom Waits. Unfortunately, this doesn't come through on the album, so I'd have to recommend seeing them live.
After their performance, Petra Haden and the Sellouts came out. This was composed of Petra Haden (the violinist for the Decemberists) and nine other women who sing acapella covers of tracks off The Who's The Who Sell Out. Definitely an original concept, and done with quite a lot of talent. I don't know if it hooked me into looking for the album, but certainly fun to hear.
Finally, The Decemberists headlined the event. They just might have put on the best live show I've ever seen. And I do mean show. They had all sorts of fun theatrics going on, many weren't even staged. They possessed an energy and enthusiasm that's unfortunately rare among live bands today. I've only heard their latest album, Picaresque, but they played quite a number of songs from earlier recordings as well. Some songs had similar sounds to Bright Eyes or the Arcade Fire. I even heard one song that reminded me a great deal of King Crimson. I really need to listen to their older stuff and find what tracks they are. At some point during the concert, it was announced that it would be a Star Wars themed night. This was perpetuated by an impromptu toy light-saber fight between the drummer and the female keyboardists (the latter winning the duel). It didn't seem scripted, which made it all the more hilarious. Other greats included the singer having us all sit down in the venue (on the standing-only floor) for nap-time, sychronized audience member swaying, and of course the closer for the evening, The Mariner's Revenge. This was performed amazingly well, except for a small incident where the singer accidentally repeated a verse. If you know the song, you know this is a crucial mistake in the progression of the story (instead of the whale rising from the depths of the sea, the sailor finds work aboard a ship again), but the band just smiled and waited for him to realize his mistake. He did, blushed and apologized, and quickly resumed where he left off. Defintely a great end to a great night. As we left the show, they handed out free posters to all who attended.
Photos for your viewing pleasure.
(1) 2/3 of BRMC at Amoeba
(2) Meeting the Band (I'm glad Robert Turner has a similar goofy look as mine.)
(3) Signed BRMC CD
(4) Free Decemberists Poster
