I went last Wednesday to see one of my all-time favorite bands the Weakerthans. I missed them the last time they were in Austin because I fell asleep. Yes. I fell asleep.
They did not disappoint.
And here's why:
The just played.
No light shows. No eyeliner. No shiny shirts. No emotional monologues before their songs. No drama. No silly bullshit. They stood up there and played their songs.
They can get away with it because they write good songs and play them well and I think it's really that simple.
That's why Kiss has such an elaborate show. Because they TOTALLY SUCK BALLS. That's why when you buy your Nickelback tickets, you know you're gonna get a lot of pyrotechnics. That's why there were so many pointy guitars and spandex in the 80s. ( don't get me wrong, as a 15 year old, I thought Poison was the BEST. BAND. EVER. )
I'd also like to take this opportunity to express my disdain for the "planned encore". Either tell us that you want to take a quick break and you'll be back or just finish your set.
The encore was the only part of the Weakerthans show that was disappointing. That, and when I got home I realized that the Medium T-shirt I bought was so tight that I looked like a bouncer in a gay bar.
8 comments:
I completely agree. Low-key is the way to go. By far the best shows I've ever seen, the Decemberists and Lyle Lovett, just had the feeling of some dude (or several) rockin' out just because. I especially like seeing shows where the fans are low-key, because what is worse than pyrotechnics and cheesy planned encores is people screaming and shoving into me, or standing in front of me so I can't see anything, or behaving like little teeny-boppers. I feel way too young to say this, but most of the time I just want to sit in a comfortable chair and listen.
You mean, me waving my lighter in the air and screaming "Free Bird!" ISN'T really the magical catalyst that brings the band back on stage?!
I'm so disillusioned now.
Speaking of the all-time sucky band, KISS (whom I LOVED in 2nd grade!) in an interview with Terry Gross, Gene Simmons apparently was such an asshole that he refused to let NPR make the interview available on their website. Trust me, you've got to hear it to fully comprehend how big a loser he is. On a side note, while searching for a copy of the interview, I came across a link to a bad amateur porn he recently made with a relatively hot and young (but never the less repulsive, by virtue of her decision to bang Gene Simmons)blonde chick. It's amazing to me that there are women out there so desperate for celebrity that doing him becomes an option. Ew...
Ew. I didn't need to see that. And I LIKE sex. And porn. But I could have SO skipped that one. Ew.
He's revolting, but if I were working for a marketing firm, I'd hire his ass in a second.
Guy knows how to polish turds, that's for sure.
The Waekerthans are awesome live. I saw them in Dallas at the Gypsy Tea Room back in '03 right after Reconstruction Site came out. They are just great, solid musicians, and their songs are amazing. The Constantines opened and were also great. There were only about 150 people there, but everyone was really into it.
Brett and his girlfriend, Brittany, and my wife, and I all saw Jimmy Eat World play here in Lubbock at the Lonestar Events Center (formerly the West Texas Canyon Amphitheater) last week. They played songs from every one of their albums, plus one from a compilation. Of course, they ended with an encore of "The Middle", but they were still great.
The only bad part was, Paramore opened, so every fucking junior high school kid in Lubbock was there.
I feel your pain on the Jimmy Eat World concert, Morgan! See post:
34 is NOT Old, Dammit!
yeah, the weakerthans encore was just awkward. i don't think he was off the stage for a full minute yet before climbing back up there!
but that show was nice.
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