Since I just listened to the new album I’m also going to talk about that in this review.
The best thing that could of happened to Williamsburg Brooklyn was the recession. it seems a lot of the annoying no job trustafarians are being pushed back into Bushwick because their parents cant afford their rent. That aside I dragged a good friend along to check out The Hold Steady this past Saturday night. This was the second of two shows that day. You should always go to the later show or the last show on a weekend stand. It’s like always hitting on 16 when the dealer is showing a face card in blackjack. A majority of time it works in your favor.
I skipped the opener, The Oranges band. I had some drinking and catching up to do, but they sounded OK over the PA. The Hold Steady hit the stage around 1215am, and opened up with a new song, now identified as “The Sweet Part of the City”. I loved it, and was able to instantly identify with the lyrics.
“we were living in, we can live with it, we didn’t feel a thing, we were in heaven”
The song ends like this also
“We were bored so we started a band… we like to pray for you, we like to pray for you, we like to pray for you….”
I’m 99% sure I’m wrong on those lyrics but it sounded something like that.
The crowd pretty much erupted and barely let up after when they broke into Constructive Summer right after that. I really miss Franz on piano because just seeing him up there makes the show more awesome. The new piano player (also from world inferno friendship society) was tucked away far in the corner. I wasn’t even sure if they had anyone on keys until I looked around. I could tell the band is moving more towards a guitar powered sound. With the extra guitar their rifts have more juice and feel more thunderous.
Lead singer Finn seemed as tight as I’ve ever seen him, with clear vocals and just the right energy without seeming out of place. My friend with me isn’t the biggest fan, but appreciates good rock. He noted “this stuff doesn’t sound like anything I hear nowadays”.
The whole setlist had enough new music and old music to make everyone happy. The new tune, Hurricane J is definitely an instant crowd pleaser. I have to repeat that the extra guitar really kicks the whole thing into overdrive.
I sound real pretentious here but I love the fact that The Hold Steady tells the American stories that most musicians forget. In many ways like when Bruce sung about parts of the country we forget exist, I think the Hold Steady sings about the parts of life we sometimes forget but always look back with a warm feeling inside.
Slapped actress closed out the main set. The encore was fantastic. First night is one of my favorite songs, and they really nailed it. That piano breakdown is the shit. They closed it out with hood rat friends, fantastic.
All in all I’m happy they added these shows. I was real bummed when I saw that they’d be playing Beacon with no GA. Massive weekend.
I’ve figured that theres probably only a few real good reasons to get tattoos. The main being that you’re in a band. If your in a band than I imagine tattoos just enhances your awesome rock image. I’m cool with it. But otherwise I don’t understand it. I’m 26 and I still can’t see the reasoning behind a tattoo. How can you like anything so much that you need it on you? You love your dog so much you have to get this:
At the end of the day you can do whatever you want with your own body, but I just want some input or a bit of enlightenment. My speculations on the matter are a bit harsh. Here are my reasons…
1. Drunk
I can imagine if you’re drunk it would be an awesome idea. My friend russ had a rugby tattoos inked on when he was wasted and I can see something like this happening.
2. Cop Out
“I can’t actually achieve anything badass so I will pay money so people think I’m a rebel. I didn’t actually do anything awesome to earn this, but I will sit in a chair and get jesus riding a horse tattooed onto my back.”
3. Get Laid
“Oh I love badass guys in tattoos (See above)”
4. Prison
5. Obsession with asian symbols
Lets be honest, a ton of my friends who I love have ink but I bet you could nail their ink down to one of these reasons,
I’ve been neglecting this totally fun blog for so long, and I’m going to try and be a good blogger! I even made a musicalpasta blogger name the other day!
Zombie Talk
I just felt obligated to post this email chain
John Silva <john.m.silva@gmail.com>
Fwd: new left for dead level
20 messages
Matthew Schery
Fri, Oct 23, 2009 at 11:52 AM
http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/left4dead2/news.html?sid=6237618&tag=topslot;title;1&mode=previews
swanrf
Fri, Oct 23, 2009 at 11:53 AM
http://www.break.com/game-trailers/game/left-4-dead-2/leaked-left-4-dead
-2-trailer—-zombie-survival-guide.html
[
John Silva
Fri, Oct 23, 2009 at 12:31 PM
If I practice hard can I please be on your zombie team America???
Sent from my iPhone
[Quoted text hidden]
swanrf
Fri, Oct 23, 2009 at 12:31 PM
Chris Nachtrieb
Fri, Oct 23, 2009 at 12:32 PM
You have to pass the recruitment process
Christian
[Quoted text hidden]
John Silva
Fri, Oct 23, 2009 at 12:37 PM
[Quoted text hidden]
This is all because I set the witch on fire that one time In the sewer
Sent from my iPhone
swanrf
Fri, Oct 23, 2009 at 12:41 PM
To: John Silva <john.m.silva@gmail.com>, Chris Nachtrieb <chris.nachtrieb@gmail.com>
Cc: Matthew Schery <matthewsch12@gmail.com>, David Abrams <dcabrams@gmail.com>
[Quoted text hidden]
The witch, and all of us.
Matthew Schery
Fri, Oct 23, 2009 at 12:59 PM
After your AWFUL showing on Buck Hunter 2: African Safari a few weeks
ago…I dont think you have what it takes….just get bitten and join
the crowds!
swanrf
Fri, Oct 23, 2009 at 1:21 PM
I think we should just call Silva “Zack” from now on.
John Silva
Fri, Oct 23, 2009 at 1:27 PM
I hate you guys.. Zombie apocolypse survival training is at least the third most important thing in my life
Sent from my iPhone
[Quoted text hidden]
swanrf
Fri, Oct 23, 2009 at 1:31 PM
You weren’t there on Schery Ridge when the hunters came… There is no
preparing for THAT.
David Abrams
Fri, Oct 23, 2009 at 1:31 PM
I don’t know if we could roll into the zombie apocalypse with Matt, he
hogs the Molotovs too much…
——-
Dave
John Silva
Fri, Oct 23, 2009 at 1:44 PM
I think matt would have a meltdown
Sent from my iPhone
[Quoted text hidden]
Matthew Schery
Fri, Oct 23, 2009 at 1:49 PM
It’s not called a melt-down Silva…it’s called “blood drunk”, and I
would harness the raging animal inside….while you are off shooting
the female water buffalo! Only shoot the ones WITH HORNS!
[Quoted text hidden]
swanrf
Fri, Oct 23, 2009 at 1:50 PM
Dave ‘off the handle’ Abrams
Matt ‘inflammable’ Schery
Christian ‘the professor’ Nachtrieb
John ‘meat’ Silva
Ryan ‘full metal jacket’ Swan
——-Original Message——-
[Quoted text hidden]
David Abrams
Fri, Oct 23, 2009 at 1:52 PM
I feel like Matt would do something annoying, like insist we go into
the supermarket because he NEEDS to get some pretzel sticks, it would
be infested with zombies and we’d all die.
Dave
Matthew Schery
Fri, Oct 23, 2009 at 2:02 PM
“Dude, come on! I need some Doritos and beer…Oh yea? Ok? Ok? I will
go along than!”
[Quoted text hidden]
David Abrams
Fri, Oct 23, 2009 at 2:40 PM
LOL how many times in the zombie apocalypse would you say “Oh yeah?!
Yeah?!? OK, OK!!”
[Quoted text hidden]
—
——-
Dave
Matthew Schery
Fri, Oct 23, 2009 at 2:51 PM
“Swan wants to check out that building….”
“Pffff let him go. We will drive off and teach him a lesson”!
[Quoted text hidden]
swanrf
Fri, Oct 23, 2009 at 3:06 PM
Friendly Fire incidents:
Off the Handle- 23
Inflammable - 0
The Professor- 0
Meat- 0
Full Metal Jacket- 0
I was real bored last night and figured for 15$ you can’t beat checking out Jukebox the Ghost, who I’ve heard good things about, and see Harvey Danger’s last show. I wanted to reinforce that The Bell House is a downright beautiful venue. It’s amazing that a place like that exists in the industrial parks around the Gowanus Canal. It’s eerily quiet outside that place..it reminds me of the Ninja Turtles movie. I expect Casey Jones to pop out at any minute.
Regardless it’s a beautiful venue with great acoustics and reasonably priced beer. Just an all around great vibe. Outside of the music area the bar is filled with attractive 20 somethings enjoying music and spirits. Great venue..just be ready to walk through the middle of nowhere for a little bit. It’s funny because my mom grew up right around that area and if I tell her I’m going to Gowanus she freaks out, because it was a warzone when she was a kid apparently.
Anyway Harvey Danger was a lot of fun. I can’t say I’m the biggest fan, but for 15 bux you got your moneys worth. It seemed to drag for me a bit at the end…maybe my attention span is lacking but I feel like I’ve heard this all before. I won’t deny they have some great talent and it’ll be a loss to the music community to see them break up. With music tastes aside it’s truly inspiring to watch a band doing their last shows. Highlights for me were Private Helicopter and Flagpole Sitta (I know its the radio single but the song straight up kicks ass…no denying that).
The Idea of the “one hit wonder” is an interesting story in itself. This band is the very definition of that. I do like to think that its better to have that one hit wonder than no hit at all. At the end of the day you can say that millions of people have heard something you created. It’s also the introduction to my favorite show “Peep Show”. Check it out…your life will never be the same.
Jukebox the Ghost kicked ass. I’ve had this craving for some solid indie style keyboard rock and they delivered on all fronts. They’re also realy tight live. I know thats a broad statement..but they killed it. Effortlessly moving along the entire set and looking like they’re loving every minute…thats awesome in my opinion. I will definitely deem this the best value in a while. Realistically they should of been headlining this…but considering it was a farewell tour and all it’s understandable.
They did a good job rolling out their hits, but keeping everything smooth. I wish they could have played even longer.
On a side note I can see their music being used during a boss battle of an old Nintendo game like Castlevania. I know that doesn’t make sense, but nobody reads this…I can say whatever I like.
There was also a surprise appearance by John Hodgman…the guy from the Daily Show and the Mac PC ads. Very funny..and just one more treat in a fun night. Also did I mentioned that Harvery Danger played for 2 and a half hours? I didn’t even know they had that many songs…
It’s always tough to decipher my confused scribblings when I hear something I really like…however at the time of viewing the SO SO GLOS I managed to jot down “Great energy…clear vocals… and a lot of fucking fun”.
The crowd went from 0-60 in about 2 seconds once they hit the stage. I guess the free Colt .45 being given out wasn’t enough. I’m always skeptical when bands are commanding the audience to come close to the stage, but you could tell they’ve done this routine before and all of a sudden the venue becomes ten times more intimate.
Black & Blue was done extremely well..Its an awesome tune that reminds me of lost pop punk that I cant find anymore. It gives you that warm fuzzy feeling inside. It’s familiar…yet fun and progressive.
The rest of their set moved pretty quickly…with real heavy rifts pierced by some seriously good vocals. For a band playing this kind of music they sound real clear. A lot of times I can’t hear what a singer is saying, but for the most part I had a good idea what was going on with these guys. I’m also a big fan of “earning” powerful parts of a song…and for a fast moving band they were able to hold back the right amount of energy for the right moments. I recommend checking them out.
They’re playing with Titus Andronicus @ Monster Island in Brooklyn on Sept 2 Also…. @ Maxwells in Hoboken Oct 14
I haven’t posted anything in a while…despite seeing tons of bands doing tons of things. I’m going to slowly review all the shows I’ve been to recently, including some stuff from All Points West…which despite ruining my favorite shoes was actually a lot of fun. Most of the press has been bad…but not a terrible situation at all. The fact that tickets were practically free by Sunday was also nice if you waited long like me to get one.
YAY or NAY
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