Venue: The Fabulous Fox Theatre, Atlanta
Support: None needed
In the Company of: Peter & Shazia
Wilco (The Experience)
The Wilco experience is something to anticipate and savor. Jeff Tweedy leads a group of musicians who are dedicated to making excellent music. From back in his Uncle Tupelo days, Tweedy has weaved his craft, balancing alt-country with alt-rock on the high wire of everything in between. Touring in support of their latest album, Wilco (The Album), the band played an inspired two hour and fifty minute set at the sold-out Fabulous Fox Theatre in Atlanta.
As the lights dimmed, fans heard a robotic voice discussing “What we don’t want you to do” (pictures, video) and “What we do want you to do” (audio recording, sing along, song requests). Shortly afterward, on came the Price is Right theme song and Wilco took to the stage to screaming fans. The band began the evening with – what else – “Wilco (The Song)” (“Are you under the impression / This isn't your life / Do you dabble in depression / Is someone twisting a knife in your back / Are you being attacked / Oh, this is a fact that you need to know oh, oh, oh, oh / Wilco, Wilco, Wilco will love you baby”). Between notes as the song ended, that robotic voice introduced each member of the band.
During one of Tweedy’s numerous exchanges with fans, some guy down front complained that his friend was kicked out for taking a picture. Tweedy said, “He took a picture, was warned, and took another one, right? Isn’t that how it happened? (all the while smiling and nodding his head.) Well, I can’t help you, buddy.” As the guy continued his complaining, Tweedy said, “Okay, I don’t want to hear from you anymore. It’s not all about you, ya know!” When the crowd erupted in laughter and applause, the guy threw his ticket in the air and stomped off. He later returned, and Tweedy said, “Did you get everything worked out? I thought you were gone. That was quite a tantrum. I’m glad you worked everything out!”
Moving on, one of the evening’s highlights had to be “Impossible Germany.” This song stood out particularly due to the guitar wizardry of Nels Cline. He blew away everyone in the house with his style and sonic power. Incredible. Even more incredible was Cline’s transition into Wilco’s acoustic set. Lamps were brought out on stage, drummer extraordinaire Glenn Kotche had a mobile drum kit set up right in front, and all guitars were acoustics. The boys played about eight songs acoustically, including a nice version of “Casino Queen.” “This is the way we like to play,” Tweedy informed. In between songs, he called out names of some lucky fans who had placed song requests on the Wilco World website and handed them gift certificates to local restaurants. Nice touch.
“Passenger Side” tells the story of riding with someone less than sober (“Hey, wake up, your eyes weren't open wide / For the last couple of miles you've been swerving from side to side / You're gonna make me spill my beer if you don't learn how to steer”).
Before the beautiful “Jesus, Etc.” was performed, Tweedy asked the audience to sing along. Then he said, “Why don’t you just sing it on your own?” So, the crowd of Wilco fans sang every word as if they had been rehearsing for this. It was a glorious sound. Afterward, he exclaimed, “That was really good…that was exceptional…that was ground breaking!” The band went on to dedicate another song to the future wife of their drum tech (she was in the audience). “I could have done it tonight,” Tweedy said, “because I’m an ordained minister.”
As the evening progressed, the fans remained standing. The lush padding of the Fabulous Fox Theatre’s comfy seats was never utilized. The Crowd stood the entire show (even much of the balcony). Tweedy recognized this and was impressed.
After they said their thank yous and goodnights, there was one encore. “This is for Alex Chilton,” Tweedy announced, and proceeded to play Big Stars’ “Thank You, Friends.” Most of the band took a shot at singing a verse or two, to honor the late Chilton. There was no opening band, as no one else could really live up to this night.
Set List:
Wilco (The Song)
I Am Trying to Break Your Heart
Bull Black Nova
You Are My Face
One Wing
A Shot in the Arm
Side with the Seeds
Deeper Down
Nothing'severgonnastandinmyway(again)
Wishful Thinking
Impossible Germany
California Stars
Poor Place
Acoustic Set:
Spiders (Kidsmoke)
Far, Far Away
You and I
Laminated Cat
War on War
Hesitating Beauty
Casino Queen
Passenger Side
Airline to Heaven
Via Chicago
Handshake Drugs
You Never Know
Heavy Metal Drummer
Can't Stand It
Jesus, Etc.
Theologians
Hate It Here
Walken
I'm the Man Who Loves You
I'm a Wheel
Encore:
Thank You, Friends
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Sunday, March 28, 2010
116. THE RUBY SUNS, 3/22/10
Venue: The Drunken Unicorn
Support: Toro Y Moi, Oryx & Crake
In the Company of: Thomas S.
Hailing from Auckland, New Zealand, The Ruby Suns are a long way from home to be playing in such a tiny venue. Atlanta’s Drunken Unicorn is a signless hole-in-the-wall reserved for up-and-comers, mostly local. But once in a while, a band comes through these doors with a bit more to offer. Leader and native Californian Ryan McPhun moved to New Zealand in 2004. Formerly of the Brunettes, McPhun is a multi-instrumentalist who has crafted some nice psychedelic pop songs with a touch of the tropics transported here from NZ.
Touring in support of their third studio album, Fight Softly (Sub Pop), the Ruby Suns spun some foot-tapping songs combining indie rock with world beats. At times, all three members were banging on drums. But usually, the tunes were made up of two synths and a drummer. With danceable beats and McPhun’s smooth voice, it frequently seemed as if all these people were enjoying an 80s new wave performance…in Hawaii. Song highlights included “Olympics On Pot,” “Kenya Dig It?,” “There Are Birds,” and “Cranberry.”
While the Unicorn was not packed to the rafters, it should have been. It was a rainy Monday night, but still, many music fans missed out on this show. Go to www.myspace.com/therubysuns to find out where the Suns will be playing near you. It’s a cheap ticket for a great show.
Opening the show was the hugeness of Oryx & Crake from Atlanta. Just think Arcade Fire meets Broken Social Scene, simply due to the volume of members and the sound they created. On this night in Atlanta, eight people crowded the tiny stage of the Unicorn. Fans experienced the likes of drums, guitars, violin, banjo, keyboards, etc. throughout the set. With fine voices and musicianship all around, Oryx & Crake have a promising future (http://www.myspace.com/oryxandcrakeband).
In the on-deck slot was Toro Y Moi, a.k.a. Chaz from Columbia, SC. Hot off his performance at Austin’s SXSW show (along with The Ruby Suns), this artist is gaining fans and attention. Associated most recently with the chill wave and glo-fi movement, TYM has etched out a unique place all for himself. With a 95% synth-created performance (and 5% guitar), he definitely stood out from the other two bands. Maybe best known for his cover of Michael Jackson’s “Human Nature” (which he did not play), Chaz is so much more. Catch up with him at http://www.myspace.com/toroymoi.
Support: Toro Y Moi, Oryx & Crake
In the Company of: Thomas S.
Hailing from Auckland, New Zealand, The Ruby Suns are a long way from home to be playing in such a tiny venue. Atlanta’s Drunken Unicorn is a signless hole-in-the-wall reserved for up-and-comers, mostly local. But once in a while, a band comes through these doors with a bit more to offer. Leader and native Californian Ryan McPhun moved to New Zealand in 2004. Formerly of the Brunettes, McPhun is a multi-instrumentalist who has crafted some nice psychedelic pop songs with a touch of the tropics transported here from NZ.
Touring in support of their third studio album, Fight Softly (Sub Pop), the Ruby Suns spun some foot-tapping songs combining indie rock with world beats. At times, all three members were banging on drums. But usually, the tunes were made up of two synths and a drummer. With danceable beats and McPhun’s smooth voice, it frequently seemed as if all these people were enjoying an 80s new wave performance…in Hawaii. Song highlights included “Olympics On Pot,” “Kenya Dig It?,” “There Are Birds,” and “Cranberry.”
While the Unicorn was not packed to the rafters, it should have been. It was a rainy Monday night, but still, many music fans missed out on this show. Go to www.myspace.com/therubysuns to find out where the Suns will be playing near you. It’s a cheap ticket for a great show.
Opening the show was the hugeness of Oryx & Crake from Atlanta. Just think Arcade Fire meets Broken Social Scene, simply due to the volume of members and the sound they created. On this night in Atlanta, eight people crowded the tiny stage of the Unicorn. Fans experienced the likes of drums, guitars, violin, banjo, keyboards, etc. throughout the set. With fine voices and musicianship all around, Oryx & Crake have a promising future (http://www.myspace.com/oryxandcrakeband).
In the on-deck slot was Toro Y Moi, a.k.a. Chaz from Columbia, SC. Hot off his performance at Austin’s SXSW show (along with The Ruby Suns), this artist is gaining fans and attention. Associated most recently with the chill wave and glo-fi movement, TYM has etched out a unique place all for himself. With a 95% synth-created performance (and 5% guitar), he definitely stood out from the other two bands. Maybe best known for his cover of Michael Jackson’s “Human Nature” (which he did not play), Chaz is so much more. Catch up with him at http://www.myspace.com/toroymoi.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
115. SPOON, 3/20/10
Venue: The Tabernacle, Atlanta
Support: Deerhunter, Strange Boys
In the Company of: Chris, Joby S., Peter M.
Based in the musically rich Mecca of Austin, Texas, Spoon have lived a roller coaster ride of success. When singer Britt Daniel joined forces with Jim Eno in 1994, little did they know that they would become indie rock gods. It just took a while. Throughout the nineties, they were off and on record labels, becoming the poster children for what not to do with a musical career. Finally, in 2001, they released Girls Can Tell, and began a relationship with Merge Records that exists to this day.
Spoon’s seventh studio album, Transference, debuted at #4 on the Billboard 200 in January. While not as poppy and accessible as 2007’s huge hit Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga, Transference is a solid outing with many examples of a band stretching itself to evolve. While Ga Ga was the bands best selling record to date, Daniel will not rest on his laurels. He wants to push his band as well as his fans.
Touring in support of Transference, the band stopped by Atlanta’s awesome Tabernacle Saturday night. It was a sold-out, standing room only crowd of old and new fans alike. Judging from the positive responses to some “oldies,” it appeared that the venue was full of serious Spooners.
The band walked on stage wearing all black. Lit panels made up the backdrop, which changed colors frequently. For the first several songs, the lighting was kept at a minimum, not unlike the beginning the album – a bit dark. Alongside Daniel and Eno, former Get Up Kids bassist Rob Pope and keyboardist/guitarist Eric Harvey round out the band. The brooding bass line and catchy lyrics of “Mystery Zone” kicked things off.
By the second song, Spoon traveled back two albums to Gimme Fiction’s “The Beast And Dragon, Adored.” This is classic Spoon and a fan favorite. The evening was an even mix of old and new. Nine of the eleven tracks from Transference were performed, all to positive feedback from the audience. All totaled, 24 songs were performed with two encores.
Highlights included the emotional rescue of “I Turn My Camera On,” “I Summon You,” “Don’t You Evah,” “Trouble Comes Running,” the terrific piano driven jumpiness of “The Way We Get By,” and a full rocking version – drums and all – of “Small Stakes” (“Small time danger in your midsize car / I don’t dig the stripes but I’ll go for Har Mar / The big innovation on the minimum wage / Is lines up your nose but your life on the page / So c’mon…tell me I’m wrong”). Actually, on this evening, every song was a highlight. Some fans go to shows hoping a band does their album justice. Spoon exceed expectations, offering up performances superior to their recorded material. This band just must be experienced live. Daniel is a passionate and fiery performer with exceptional guitar skills. He was in the groove the entire evening and kept the crowd there, as well.
While Spoon has had their ups and downs, it seems as if they’re in for a future of “ups.” On this night, Spoon was the tightest four-piece on the planet. Even with two encores, the band left fans wanting more.
Opening the show were fellow Austin natives Strange Boys. This may be an apt name, as lead singer Ryan Sambol has a “unique” voice. It could almost be compared to a young Bob Dylan, but with better enunciation (with a touch of Julian Casablancas thrown in). While that voice was sometimes hard to get around, the music was very good. There were various ingredients, including twang, country, and plenty of sixties feel (all played in a garage).
Atlanta natives Deerhunter were up next. Bradford Cox leads this indie rock outfit he describes as “ambient punk.” Listeners may hear the band’s influences of Echo and the Bunnymen, David Bowie, and Brian Eno coming through in their live performance. Between songs, Cox made several references to his mother, aunt, and cousins who were in attendance.
Deerhunter’s post-punk feel went over well with the crowd. Excellent musicianship and strong vocals promise to offer a lot of exposure for these guys in the future. An opening slot on the Spoon tour won’t hurt, either.
Set list
Mystery Zone
The Beast and Dragon, Adored
My Mathematical Mind
Someone Something
The Ghost of You Lingers
Is Love Forever
Goodnight Laura
I Turn My Camera On
Written in Reverse
Who Makes Your Money
Don’t Make Me a Target
Out Go the Lights
The Underdog
I Summon You
Got Nuffin’
Don’t You Evah
Trouble Comes Running
Black Like Me
Encore 1
The Way We Get By
Nobody Gets Me But You
Vittorio E.
Encore 2
Rhythm and Soul
Small Stakes
Cherry Bomb
Support: Deerhunter, Strange Boys
In the Company of: Chris, Joby S., Peter M.
Based in the musically rich Mecca of Austin, Texas, Spoon have lived a roller coaster ride of success. When singer Britt Daniel joined forces with Jim Eno in 1994, little did they know that they would become indie rock gods. It just took a while. Throughout the nineties, they were off and on record labels, becoming the poster children for what not to do with a musical career. Finally, in 2001, they released Girls Can Tell, and began a relationship with Merge Records that exists to this day.
Spoon’s seventh studio album, Transference, debuted at #4 on the Billboard 200 in January. While not as poppy and accessible as 2007’s huge hit Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga, Transference is a solid outing with many examples of a band stretching itself to evolve. While Ga Ga was the bands best selling record to date, Daniel will not rest on his laurels. He wants to push his band as well as his fans.
Touring in support of Transference, the band stopped by Atlanta’s awesome Tabernacle Saturday night. It was a sold-out, standing room only crowd of old and new fans alike. Judging from the positive responses to some “oldies,” it appeared that the venue was full of serious Spooners.
The band walked on stage wearing all black. Lit panels made up the backdrop, which changed colors frequently. For the first several songs, the lighting was kept at a minimum, not unlike the beginning the album – a bit dark. Alongside Daniel and Eno, former Get Up Kids bassist Rob Pope and keyboardist/guitarist Eric Harvey round out the band. The brooding bass line and catchy lyrics of “Mystery Zone” kicked things off.
By the second song, Spoon traveled back two albums to Gimme Fiction’s “The Beast And Dragon, Adored.” This is classic Spoon and a fan favorite. The evening was an even mix of old and new. Nine of the eleven tracks from Transference were performed, all to positive feedback from the audience. All totaled, 24 songs were performed with two encores.
Highlights included the emotional rescue of “I Turn My Camera On,” “I Summon You,” “Don’t You Evah,” “Trouble Comes Running,” the terrific piano driven jumpiness of “The Way We Get By,” and a full rocking version – drums and all – of “Small Stakes” (“Small time danger in your midsize car / I don’t dig the stripes but I’ll go for Har Mar / The big innovation on the minimum wage / Is lines up your nose but your life on the page / So c’mon…tell me I’m wrong”). Actually, on this evening, every song was a highlight. Some fans go to shows hoping a band does their album justice. Spoon exceed expectations, offering up performances superior to their recorded material. This band just must be experienced live. Daniel is a passionate and fiery performer with exceptional guitar skills. He was in the groove the entire evening and kept the crowd there, as well.
While Spoon has had their ups and downs, it seems as if they’re in for a future of “ups.” On this night, Spoon was the tightest four-piece on the planet. Even with two encores, the band left fans wanting more.
Opening the show were fellow Austin natives Strange Boys. This may be an apt name, as lead singer Ryan Sambol has a “unique” voice. It could almost be compared to a young Bob Dylan, but with better enunciation (with a touch of Julian Casablancas thrown in). While that voice was sometimes hard to get around, the music was very good. There were various ingredients, including twang, country, and plenty of sixties feel (all played in a garage).
Atlanta natives Deerhunter were up next. Bradford Cox leads this indie rock outfit he describes as “ambient punk.” Listeners may hear the band’s influences of Echo and the Bunnymen, David Bowie, and Brian Eno coming through in their live performance. Between songs, Cox made several references to his mother, aunt, and cousins who were in attendance.
Deerhunter’s post-punk feel went over well with the crowd. Excellent musicianship and strong vocals promise to offer a lot of exposure for these guys in the future. An opening slot on the Spoon tour won’t hurt, either.
Set list
Mystery Zone
The Beast and Dragon, Adored
My Mathematical Mind
Someone Something
The Ghost of You Lingers
Is Love Forever
Goodnight Laura
I Turn My Camera On
Written in Reverse
Who Makes Your Money
Don’t Make Me a Target
Out Go the Lights
The Underdog
I Summon You
Got Nuffin’
Don’t You Evah
Trouble Comes Running
Black Like Me
Encore 1
The Way We Get By
Nobody Gets Me But You
Vittorio E.
Encore 2
Rhythm and Soul
Small Stakes
Cherry Bomb
Sunday, March 14, 2010
114. THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS, 3/6/10
They Might Be Giants’ John Flansburgh and John Linnell have tapped into a new niche audience: kids. Since their inception in 1982, they’ve hit the bullseye with quirky melodies and intelligent – sometimes too intelligent – lyrics that continue to thrill fans. In the past few years, however, the Giants have sneakily infused a kid-friendly song into an album here and there. With a successful outcome, they decided to make it official.
2002’s No! was their first fulltime foray down this road less traveled. And it was a huge hit. Followed by Here Come the ABCs, Here Come the 123s, and Here Comes Science, the two Johns have created an alternate career for themselves. With songs that even parents find catchy, this seems to be long from ending.
The venue was the Variety Playhouse for another family show from They Might Be Giants (their tours now consist of one adult show and one family show for most cities). A sold-out crowd of parents and kids sang, clapped, jumped, and laughed throughout the afternoon. The lion’s share of songs were pulled from the latest release, Here Comes Science. Some highlights from this include “Electric Car,” “Meet the Elements,” “I Am A Paleontologist,” and the TMBG oldie “Why Does the Sun Shine?” (“The sun is a mass of incandescent gas, a gigantic nuclear furnace / Where hydrogen is turned into helium at a temperature of millions of degrees”).
These songs are perfect for elementary school teachers. In fact, why every school system in the country has not included this stuff in their curriculum is a mystery.
The term “family friendly” goes beyond the subject matter of the songs, though. Two selections were performed by puppets and the volume was at an acceptable level for little ears. The two Johns also spoke to the kids as if no adults were present. Kids loved this. The kids also loved the half-dozen times that confetti was shot out of a cannon. This completely covered everyone standing in the pit, as well as the first few rows.
Parents got their fair share of TMBG songs, as well. From the Flood album – their major label debut in 1991 – came the crowd favorites “Particle Man” and “Istanbul (Not Constantinople).” This brought down the house. Also dragged from the vaults was “Older,” and “Dr. Worm” (“They call me Dr. Worm / Good morning how are you, I’m Dr. Worm / I’m interested in things / I’m not a real doctor but I am a real worm / I am an actual worm…”).
Be sure to catch a TMBG show near you – kids or not. You can find their tour dates are other quirky things at www.tmbg.com.
2002’s No! was their first fulltime foray down this road less traveled. And it was a huge hit. Followed by Here Come the ABCs, Here Come the 123s, and Here Comes Science, the two Johns have created an alternate career for themselves. With songs that even parents find catchy, this seems to be long from ending.
The venue was the Variety Playhouse for another family show from They Might Be Giants (their tours now consist of one adult show and one family show for most cities). A sold-out crowd of parents and kids sang, clapped, jumped, and laughed throughout the afternoon. The lion’s share of songs were pulled from the latest release, Here Comes Science. Some highlights from this include “Electric Car,” “Meet the Elements,” “I Am A Paleontologist,” and the TMBG oldie “Why Does the Sun Shine?” (“The sun is a mass of incandescent gas, a gigantic nuclear furnace / Where hydrogen is turned into helium at a temperature of millions of degrees”).
These songs are perfect for elementary school teachers. In fact, why every school system in the country has not included this stuff in their curriculum is a mystery.
The term “family friendly” goes beyond the subject matter of the songs, though. Two selections were performed by puppets and the volume was at an acceptable level for little ears. The two Johns also spoke to the kids as if no adults were present. Kids loved this. The kids also loved the half-dozen times that confetti was shot out of a cannon. This completely covered everyone standing in the pit, as well as the first few rows.
Parents got their fair share of TMBG songs, as well. From the Flood album – their major label debut in 1991 – came the crowd favorites “Particle Man” and “Istanbul (Not Constantinople).” This brought down the house. Also dragged from the vaults was “Older,” and “Dr. Worm” (“They call me Dr. Worm / Good morning how are you, I’m Dr. Worm / I’m interested in things / I’m not a real doctor but I am a real worm / I am an actual worm…”).
Be sure to catch a TMBG show near you – kids or not. You can find their tour dates are other quirky things at www.tmbg.com.
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