Multicult - A Baltimore trio kicks off this evening with some mighty thunder. They have a powerful post-hardcore sound with a great throaty bass, busy drumming, and gnarled guitar. Good ripping aggression here, but the song writing seems in between something old and something new and never quite builds the level I hoped for. Still, a sound opening sound in this 25 minute set.
Ed Schrader's Music Beat - This band is so unique, that it took only seconds before I realized I have seen them before, although it has been a while. You just don't forget the crazed talk and wild songs of these guys. It is simply distorted bass and stand-up drumming/lead vocals for 30 minutes where they blast away their short funny songs, with even funnier interludes. The sound is Screamers meets Chrome meets Shellac. This is primal punk that most people grow out of, if they ever had it all. Thankfully these guys have locked in to a brand of craziness that is still fresh and invigorating anywhere, anytime. If they could only bottle this.
A Place to Bury Strangers - I have always been impressed with this ferociously noisy New York trio, so I am shocked that I am so blown away, yet again. I should be ready for it by now, but just listening to their albums and seeing other bands for the year or two in between shows just doesn't prepare you for the sonic and visual bursts of power these guys deliver. Not only do they bring a sound man, but they have a lighting guy who both work with the local club specialist, who set the stage for the musicians to just focus on their intensity levels. The world stopped for me as I just fell back into this music, as non relaxing as it is. I particularly liked their noisy take on a gimmick that a lot of Americana bands do. In those cases, the band may come out into the crowd for a singalong with just acoustic instruments. Here, the three guys work their way over to the soundboard where there is a small kit set up with bass, guitar, electronics, and a small PA cabinet. Somehow they keep the volume and intensity up with this lo-fi rig. A few more songs there to the finish and the large crowd paid homage before drifting away into the night. Quite a night.
Quote of the Night: from ESMB... "If you want to pay $30 for a bottle of booze and a biscuit that has been in a plastic bag for a loooong time, go to Amtrak.com"
4 comments:
I felt the ending of this show was very anticlimactic compared to the intensity these guys typically deliver. Interesting idea to come out into the crowd at the end, but ultimately it was pretty weak. Also, as much as I love their noisy interludes, their short set was at least 30% random noise -- I wasn't keeping track, but I'm sure they didn't play any more than 10 actual songs from their relatively deep discography. Overall this show was a big disappointment compared to other times I've seen them play. I've been blown away by these guys many times... And this was NOT one of those times. If I could give it a rating, I'd say it was a 5.5 out of 10. Last time I saw them, it was an 11 out of 10.
Fair enough, although the ending was fun for me, as I normally hang around the sound table anyway, so it worked all the better for those of us in the vicinity. I don't recall if I was at the last show you mentioned, but one of the two previous I was at was better than this show, but I wouldn't have the spread quite as large as you had it.
I agree the end was fun in a unique sort of way, and good on them for using the whole venue -- but it was undeniably less loud and powerful than the rest of their set and in my opinion that's no way to close out a show. I should also mention that I drove 2 hours from Richmond to see them (I'm a fan) and that probably added to my feeling of disappointment on this one.
Thanks for writing in. Those are excellent points on differences in perception based on cost, time invested, travel, expectations, etc. We all view things from different perspectives, as we should. And I have to agree that the irony of the pastiche of the hippie playing in the crowd should have been shorter with one last blowout on stage to send everyone home. I've had the same up/down feeling about some of Lightning Bolt's antics. When I was in the mood for some of their crowd playing (or I was close) I enjoyed it. Other times, not so much.
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