Oh, Givers. I have finally gotten to the point where I don’t wince when I see the band’s name, but it’s taken months. How is it possible that a band that earned the highest possible rating for their first live performance earn the lowest possible one for their second? How can a group generate 52 minutes of excitement one time and fail to generate 52 seconds of excitement another? Put simply: how could Givers have possibly gone an A+ to an F?
1. Just four of the twelve songs came from In Light. Their bubbly debut album lent itself to a live performance. I don’t think Sketch, Deej, Evan Rochkind, and I understood what all the songs meant when we saw them in 2011, but we were fans. We were intrigued enough to go to the show, and be caught up in the “jumping, shouting, clapping, and slapping” that accompanied those debut songs. Listening to the second album, New Kingdom, I did not hear the same qualities. In Light had both loops and hooks – parts that drifted, that piqued your curiosity, and parts that gave you something to grab onto, that helped you connect with most of the songs. New Kingdom was just loops. No matter how many times I listened, it just sort of…drifted.
2. All songs sounded terrible this time. I eventually recognized In Light’s “Atlantic,” “Ceiling of Plankton,” and “Saw You First.” It did not matter, though, because the beats of those tracks and all others were swallowed by the crackle and drone of speakers. I wish the U Street speakers would have also swallowed the lyrics, considering the blood-curdling SHRIEKS that came through whenever the lead singer hit a chorus. I held out hope that something would be salvaged with “Up Up Up” at the end. It’s a song that a hundred audience members jumped for four years ago at The Black Cat, and hundreds of students voted for in the intervening years at Frost. On that night, though, no one was jumping or voting for anything. The audience just sat there, numb to the listless wail in front of them.
3. Stakes were sky high. I was not the only one excited for the show. Ten awesome Rock Club students and parents volunteered to go to the show, a midweek DC show at that. There was also the matter of our club actually influencing the band’s set time! Long story short, after emailing the band members, manager, publicist, booker, and U Street Music Hall management, they agreed to change the set time from 10:15 (impossible to attend on a school night) to a more manageable 8:30. Our little rock group had influenced an actual rock band! The fact that this was the first rock concert for all but two members of the group made it an even bigger deal.
4. Everything came crashing down. For the first few songs, students TK and AV tried to work up head bobs. JS tried to keep the tone light by good-naturedly calling the lead singer’s name. I tried to stay positive by remembering how satisfying different elements had been the first time. Very quickly, though, it became apparent to everyone (TK, AV, JS, AR, CS, WS, me, Hark, and the parents) that nothing was going to get better. The set could have featured every track from In Light or all covers from the Rolling Stone 500, and it would not have made any difference. The sound quality was that awful. I did my best to avoid eye contact during the show, but that little to lessen the shame. Others had placed their trust in me, and it had been squandered. When would it end? When would we be rescued from this sonic abyss?
5. A final indignity. It ended on the twelfth song. You would think they would conclude with “Up Up Up,” but in keeping with the night’s Logic Free theme, they did not. I have to admit, however, that there was an amazing irony in the last song. Its title: “Record High, Record Low.” Givers’ first performance was one of the best concerts I have been to; the second one was the worst. (You’re welcome, Jack Johnson and Bob Dylan. You both move up a notch.) The title may not have rescued the concert, it’s still dead last, but that’s some fine gallows humor…
Grade: F
Endnote: What ultimately saved the concert (and the club) was everything that happened after. Most members who attended stayed tight the rest of the year, strengthened by a kind of War Buddy bond. (“Where did you serve: Normandy? Korea? ‘Nam?” “Nah, I was there for Givers.”) It also helped that many of those members, and some news ones, attended a genuinely great Muse show soon after. Plus, by the end of the year, members took part in a third concert, this time at school and featuring student performances! The Ramones, Nirvana, and CCR are among the bands who came from very humble beginnings to become rock stars. If Nuns ‘n Moses ever make it big, they will sure have something to talk about…
Sunday, July 24, 2016
182 -- Kendrick Lamar -- Saturday, October 3, 2015 -- Lincoln Theater -- DC
iPhone Recap:
--- No seats, no air conditioning, plenty of air additives…
--- HA, Kendrick psyches the audience out with multiple mic approach and retreats.
--- “For Free?” The sticker-shocked Stubhub audience is well aware the concert is not free. They love the DC reference though.
--- “Backseat Freestyle”!! Heh, its role in the album (of an uncharacteristically cocky moment as a kid) is lost to generic gangsta haze live, but the rhythm works.
--- “Swimming Pools.” The ‘drank’ part is less annoying in concert. The verses sound good too.
--- Can’t tell if it’s “For Sale,” “Hood Politics,” of some obscure “Lucy” song. Regardless, there’s a cool "boo boo" explosion halfway through and an unexpected guitar at the end.
--- “Complexion” don't mean a thang!! He hands it off to Rhapsody – I cannot rhapsodize about his enunciation...
--- Heh, Kendrick seems to intentionally never say B. He had the audience say it earlier and now during “Kill My Vibe” again. Interesting. Another guitar.
--- Yay, DC reference number two. Oh, he now says B. There goes that theory...
--- “Money Trees” -- aka the ya-bish Halle Berry Hallelujah song. I remember reading the lyrics featuring all this intriguing imagery on RapGenius, but the story / intimacy gets lost here.
--- “mAAd City”!!! And the theater exploddddes. Red lights, bang bang bang, leap leap leap………...man.
--- “U.” Loving you's complicated. I like his shoutouts to the keyboardist, guitarist, drummer, and Tony on the smooth-A bass.
--- The intro to “Sing About Me” / “Dying of Thirst” masterpiece serves as an instrumental for his…speech!!!!! “Butterfly was therapy, this speech is therapy, coming back to core fans after 80,000-100,000-person arenas is therapy, the [meet-and-greet white kid who sent a letter] was therapy.” He does not actually perform the song, but there’s no need to. He just left vulnerability for dayyyys. “Don't believe it when you're told you're great.” Ladies and gentleman, the anti Kanye.
--- Perfect transition to the loud “King Kunta.” We do indeed want the funk.
“i,” the song performed on Colbert? The rapid fire verses sound great.
--- “The Blacker The Better”!! Album standout, live standout. Pretty sure he went three minutes without taking a breath.
--- “Mortal Man.” When it hits the fan, is you still a fan? Important question. Wooo at the Mandela references. Another section seems to have fifty appositives for who he is – and he seems to do it all in one breath!
--- Heh, spontaneous “we gonna be alRIGHT" springs up for two minutes. He prompts it with “louder,” then “quieter,” and back. Nice. The audience LEAPS during most of the actual song. He does too.
--- Andreas, this teenager I spoke to on the way out, said this was his first concert. Not a bad start.
Grade: A-
--- No seats, no air conditioning, plenty of air additives…
--- HA, Kendrick psyches the audience out with multiple mic approach and retreats.
--- “For Free?” The sticker-shocked Stubhub audience is well aware the concert is not free. They love the DC reference though.
--- “Backseat Freestyle”!! Heh, its role in the album (of an uncharacteristically cocky moment as a kid) is lost to generic gangsta haze live, but the rhythm works.
--- “Swimming Pools.” The ‘drank’ part is less annoying in concert. The verses sound good too.
--- Can’t tell if it’s “For Sale,” “Hood Politics,” of some obscure “Lucy” song. Regardless, there’s a cool "boo boo" explosion halfway through and an unexpected guitar at the end.
--- “Complexion” don't mean a thang!! He hands it off to Rhapsody – I cannot rhapsodize about his enunciation...
--- Heh, Kendrick seems to intentionally never say B. He had the audience say it earlier and now during “Kill My Vibe” again. Interesting. Another guitar.
--- Yay, DC reference number two. Oh, he now says B. There goes that theory...
--- “Money Trees” -- aka the ya-bish Halle Berry Hallelujah song. I remember reading the lyrics featuring all this intriguing imagery on RapGenius, but the story / intimacy gets lost here.
--- “mAAd City”!!! And the theater exploddddes. Red lights, bang bang bang, leap leap leap………...man.
--- “U.” Loving you's complicated. I like his shoutouts to the keyboardist, guitarist, drummer, and Tony on the smooth-A bass.
--- The intro to “Sing About Me” / “Dying of Thirst” masterpiece serves as an instrumental for his…speech!!!!! “Butterfly was therapy, this speech is therapy, coming back to core fans after 80,000-100,000-person arenas is therapy, the [meet-and-greet white kid who sent a letter] was therapy.” He does not actually perform the song, but there’s no need to. He just left vulnerability for dayyyys. “Don't believe it when you're told you're great.” Ladies and gentleman, the anti Kanye.
--- Perfect transition to the loud “King Kunta.” We do indeed want the funk.
“i,” the song performed on Colbert? The rapid fire verses sound great.
--- “The Blacker The Better”!! Album standout, live standout. Pretty sure he went three minutes without taking a breath.
--- “Mortal Man.” When it hits the fan, is you still a fan? Important question. Wooo at the Mandela references. Another section seems to have fifty appositives for who he is – and he seems to do it all in one breath!
--- Heh, spontaneous “we gonna be alRIGHT" springs up for two minutes. He prompts it with “louder,” then “quieter,” and back. Nice. The audience LEAPS during most of the actual song. He does too.
--- Andreas, this teenager I spoke to on the way out, said this was his first concert. Not a bad start.
Grade: A-
181 -- Stevie Wonder -- Saturday, October 3, 2015 -- Verizon Center -- DC
iPhone Recap…
--- “Sir Duke” starts up, and the crowd can feel it all over!
--- “I Wish” I could get everyone grooving like Stevie does. The band deserves credit too. By my count, 26 performers are up on stage with him: trumpets, trombones, drummers, backups -- the works! “Are y'all with me? Are y'all with us?” YES.
--- “Knocks Me Off Me Off My Feet” doesn't. The slowdown and miscue at the end is endearing though.
--- Hilarious back-and-forth with a backup singer during an acapella sing-off:
“Is this a memory for you?"
[Lackluster] “Well yeah.”
“You know this is a job you can get fired from?”
[He was kidding, but HA.]
--- Mini “Summertime,” like Fantasia!
--- The Latino girl is the clear acapella winner. The sensual Spanish language may have given her an unfair advantage, but she nailed it. She was also less screechy and more subtle than others.
--- The violin jam became a bit indulgent.
--- “We've got the funkiest, nastiest horn players on the whole planet. Y'all don't believe me? Y'all don't believe me?" Heh, not fully, but it's an improvement.
--- Oooh, he gets up from the piano. Hahaha, apparently he's covering Coolio's “Gangster aradise.” Or is Weird Al's “Amish Paradise”? I soon find out his song, “Pastime Paradise,” was the original, that they covered! Who knew? (Probably any decent Stevie fan -- but not me.) Listening to the lyrics, they seem perfect for a team-wide civil right lesson on Monday -- sweet.
--- Some midtempo calypso snooze.
[next song] Make that two...
[next song] Three.
[next song] Four. Okay, being fair, the last one was more uptempo, but no one around me was into it.
--- Intermission. Gah, just found out this is a straight album show, for Songs in the Key of Life. I usually love album shows, but I didn't prepare for that element! At least this explains the recent lulls...
--- Whoa, the guy who just directed an Emmy-winning Stevie special directed his first Stevie show on the National Mall 40 years ago. It was during Human Kindness Day, a day combating addiction. Tomorrow he'll be participating in Human Kindness Day on the National Mall 40 years later!
--- “Isn't She Lovely?” She is -- that's more like it! The harmonica's so smooth.
--- A post-intermission "intermission" song. Sigh.
--- “The Joy Inside My Tears” is solid.
--- Another one? Geezzzzz.
--- “Black Man”!!! If I hadn't been reading the lyrics, it might not have stood out. I was reading the lyrics, though, and multicolor/multiculture vision for America was awesome -- perfect for the team-wide civil rights lesson on Monday!
--- Apparently I’m a sucker for the harmonica. Oooh, there's a second harmonica and a sax. Wheeee.
--- HA, “Teq” makes its way into a complication riff. Shoutout to Howard T Herber Middle School jazz band, where we somehow played it in 7th grade?!
--- More indulgent filler... That said, the guy in front of me scatting and jamming throughout the song is hilarious.
--- “If It's Magic.” Aww, he pays tribute to a backup singer who died before the album was released by playing her vocal during the song. Tender.
--- “As.” Oooh, I know this one. Not sure from where, but I like it! “Alwayyyyys.”
--- “Another Star” sounds strangely like Latin. Oh well -- it sounds good.
--- Last song: "I'm longer Stevie Wonder. I'm DJ Tick Tick Boom. If you want it to play, you've got to PLAY.” Lol, he keeps stopping the song and bashing the audience. A brilliant way to give them a taste of a lot of songs. “Superstition ain't the wayyyyyyy!!!” Great medley finale.
Grade: B+
--- “Sir Duke” starts up, and the crowd can feel it all over!
--- “I Wish” I could get everyone grooving like Stevie does. The band deserves credit too. By my count, 26 performers are up on stage with him: trumpets, trombones, drummers, backups -- the works! “Are y'all with me? Are y'all with us?” YES.
--- “Knocks Me Off Me Off My Feet” doesn't. The slowdown and miscue at the end is endearing though.
--- Hilarious back-and-forth with a backup singer during an acapella sing-off:
“Is this a memory for you?"
[Lackluster] “Well yeah.”
“You know this is a job you can get fired from?”
[He was kidding, but HA.]
--- Mini “Summertime,” like Fantasia!
--- The Latino girl is the clear acapella winner. The sensual Spanish language may have given her an unfair advantage, but she nailed it. She was also less screechy and more subtle than others.
--- The violin jam became a bit indulgent.
--- “We've got the funkiest, nastiest horn players on the whole planet. Y'all don't believe me? Y'all don't believe me?" Heh, not fully, but it's an improvement.
--- Oooh, he gets up from the piano. Hahaha, apparently he's covering Coolio's “Gangster aradise.” Or is Weird Al's “Amish Paradise”? I soon find out his song, “Pastime Paradise,” was the original, that they covered! Who knew? (Probably any decent Stevie fan -- but not me.) Listening to the lyrics, they seem perfect for a team-wide civil right lesson on Monday -- sweet.
--- Some midtempo calypso snooze.
[next song] Make that two...
[next song] Three.
[next song] Four. Okay, being fair, the last one was more uptempo, but no one around me was into it.
--- Intermission. Gah, just found out this is a straight album show, for Songs in the Key of Life. I usually love album shows, but I didn't prepare for that element! At least this explains the recent lulls...
--- Whoa, the guy who just directed an Emmy-winning Stevie special directed his first Stevie show on the National Mall 40 years ago. It was during Human Kindness Day, a day combating addiction. Tomorrow he'll be participating in Human Kindness Day on the National Mall 40 years later!
--- “Isn't She Lovely?” She is -- that's more like it! The harmonica's so smooth.
--- A post-intermission "intermission" song. Sigh.
--- “The Joy Inside My Tears” is solid.
--- Another one? Geezzzzz.
--- “Black Man”!!! If I hadn't been reading the lyrics, it might not have stood out. I was reading the lyrics, though, and multicolor/multiculture vision for America was awesome -- perfect for the team-wide civil rights lesson on Monday!
--- Apparently I’m a sucker for the harmonica. Oooh, there's a second harmonica and a sax. Wheeee.
--- HA, “Teq” makes its way into a complication riff. Shoutout to Howard T Herber Middle School jazz band, where we somehow played it in 7th grade?!
--- More indulgent filler... That said, the guy in front of me scatting and jamming throughout the song is hilarious.
--- “If It's Magic.” Aww, he pays tribute to a backup singer who died before the album was released by playing her vocal during the song. Tender.
--- “As.” Oooh, I know this one. Not sure from where, but I like it! “Alwayyyyys.”
--- “Another Star” sounds strangely like Latin. Oh well -- it sounds good.
--- Last song: "I'm longer Stevie Wonder. I'm DJ Tick Tick Boom. If you want it to play, you've got to PLAY.” Lol, he keeps stopping the song and bashing the audience. A brilliant way to give them a taste of a lot of songs. “Superstition ain't the wayyyyyyy!!!” Great medley finale.
Grade: B+
179 / 180 -- Ed Sheeran / Christina Perri -- Wednesday, September 23, 2015 -- Verizon Center -- DC
iPhone Recap…
Christina Perri
--- “A Thousand Miles” features strong vocals, but most of the crowd is disinterested -- well, except for the banshees. The last time I heard glass shatter like that was Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure. These girls behind us SHRIEK. It's more painful than a 2013-2016 Frost Middle School fire alarm. My new wooo motion involves clapping my hands over my ears.
--- “Human” is a great song, but her lack of stage presence drags it down.
--- Amy was right: would not have missed much if I missed the opener.
Grade: C
Ed Sheeran
--- “I'm A Mess.” The iTunes background is awesome. It's a cross between a kaleidoscope and an electrocution -- and it works.
--- “Lego House.” Lol at Hark Pokemonning at all the Ron Weasley animations. "I see Ron! I see Ron!"
--- “My experience at some concerts is that people feel self conscious. I don't want that. I want to encourage you to dance like weirdos. My attitude is: if you're not hurting anyone, do what the hell you want.” Amen to that!
--- “Drunk.” Less cooey than the album version, but still good.
--- Love the dark, schizo flow of “Take It Back Now”! Hard to understand some of the lyrics in the rap section, but the rap-guitar interplay and the boldness of it all make it work. Omg, the transition to “Superstition” is insane!!!! Nine songs in one – the best combo song I've heard in months.
--- Smart transition to the smooth “One.”
--- Cool glowing E and D in the distant crowd.
--- Awwww at Hark singing along with “Photograph” and me handticipating the ripped jeans line. The picture drawings scrawling onscreen were a bit scary, but it wasn't a huge deal. Love how my fifth period flipped out earlier in the day at the prospect of hearing a few lines of “Photograph” in class.
--- “Bloodstream” is a welcome return to darkness. It's awesome having surround sound: Hark occasionally singing on my right and a guy with another strong voice singing frequently on my left! The hyper ending is less earned than "Superstition," but it is engaging.
--- "Tenerife Sea" is smooooth.
--- He's so likable that he can get away with being a slurry Brit. The wit would land more, though, if he'd enunciate.
--- “No Diggity / Thrift Shop” has got stuyyyle. Really satisfying.
--- I'm a tough critic for “Feelin Good,” having heard Adam Lambert and Carly Sonnenberg blow it away on Idol and X Factor. Solid, not spectac…......I take it all back the transition to “I See Fire” is genius!!! It's like they're the same song. Got me pumped for Benedict Cumberbatch – i.e. Smaug in the movie the song was featured in.
--- “Me and Christina are similar in that we both write really depressing songs. I kind of like them. Hearing sad songs makes me happy. We have a man with a small puppy backstage that if you don't join in, *croak sound.*” HA! Follows it up with the mediocre “Be My Forever.” They should go back to sad songs.
--- Glad to hear a Stevie Wonder cover, “I Was Made to Love Her,” a week before I’ll see Stevie live.
--- Random warehouse in England had Stevie Wonder, Dave Chapelle, and the best harmonica player in the world. The harmonica player is from DC -- now he's on stage! Another great transition to “Who You Are” / “Everything You Are.”
--- “The A Team.” Hark likes the angel part. The Verizon Center is now a cell light panorama.
--- Aww, the guy on the left appreciates my singing complement. His girlfriend also loathes the banshees.
--- “You Need Me; I Don't Need You”!!!! That “Know Yourself” / “In Da Club” Drake cover was pure power.
--- “Sing.” I was so disoriented from the previous song that I barely remember “Sing.” Disorientation: a sign of a (total surprise) A+ show.
Grade: A+
Christina Perri
--- “A Thousand Miles” features strong vocals, but most of the crowd is disinterested -- well, except for the banshees. The last time I heard glass shatter like that was Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure. These girls behind us SHRIEK. It's more painful than a 2013-2016 Frost Middle School fire alarm. My new wooo motion involves clapping my hands over my ears.
--- “Human” is a great song, but her lack of stage presence drags it down.
--- Amy was right: would not have missed much if I missed the opener.
Grade: C
Ed Sheeran
--- “I'm A Mess.” The iTunes background is awesome. It's a cross between a kaleidoscope and an electrocution -- and it works.
--- “Lego House.” Lol at Hark Pokemonning at all the Ron Weasley animations. "I see Ron! I see Ron!"
--- “My experience at some concerts is that people feel self conscious. I don't want that. I want to encourage you to dance like weirdos. My attitude is: if you're not hurting anyone, do what the hell you want.” Amen to that!
--- “Drunk.” Less cooey than the album version, but still good.
--- Love the dark, schizo flow of “Take It Back Now”! Hard to understand some of the lyrics in the rap section, but the rap-guitar interplay and the boldness of it all make it work. Omg, the transition to “Superstition” is insane!!!! Nine songs in one – the best combo song I've heard in months.
--- Smart transition to the smooth “One.”
--- Cool glowing E and D in the distant crowd.
--- Awwww at Hark singing along with “Photograph” and me handticipating the ripped jeans line. The picture drawings scrawling onscreen were a bit scary, but it wasn't a huge deal. Love how my fifth period flipped out earlier in the day at the prospect of hearing a few lines of “Photograph” in class.
--- “Bloodstream” is a welcome return to darkness. It's awesome having surround sound: Hark occasionally singing on my right and a guy with another strong voice singing frequently on my left! The hyper ending is less earned than "Superstition," but it is engaging.
--- "Tenerife Sea" is smooooth.
--- He's so likable that he can get away with being a slurry Brit. The wit would land more, though, if he'd enunciate.
--- “No Diggity / Thrift Shop” has got stuyyyle. Really satisfying.
--- I'm a tough critic for “Feelin Good,” having heard Adam Lambert and Carly Sonnenberg blow it away on Idol and X Factor. Solid, not spectac…......I take it all back the transition to “I See Fire” is genius!!! It's like they're the same song. Got me pumped for Benedict Cumberbatch – i.e. Smaug in the movie the song was featured in.
--- “Me and Christina are similar in that we both write really depressing songs. I kind of like them. Hearing sad songs makes me happy. We have a man with a small puppy backstage that if you don't join in, *croak sound.*” HA! Follows it up with the mediocre “Be My Forever.” They should go back to sad songs.
--- Glad to hear a Stevie Wonder cover, “I Was Made to Love Her,” a week before I’ll see Stevie live.
--- Random warehouse in England had Stevie Wonder, Dave Chapelle, and the best harmonica player in the world. The harmonica player is from DC -- now he's on stage! Another great transition to “Who You Are” / “Everything You Are.”
--- “The A Team.” Hark likes the angel part. The Verizon Center is now a cell light panorama.
--- Aww, the guy on the left appreciates my singing complement. His girlfriend also loathes the banshees.
--- “You Need Me; I Don't Need You”!!!! That “Know Yourself” / “In Da Club” Drake cover was pure power.
--- “Sing.” I was so disoriented from the previous song that I barely remember “Sing.” Disorientation: a sign of a (total surprise) A+ show.
Grade: A+
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
178 -- O.A.R. -- Friday, August 21, 2015 -- Merriweather Post Pavilion -- Columbia, MD
O.A.R. was the last concert of the summer, and this is the last entry for a while. Gotta make sure I pace myself better next time though, and not leave an entire year’s worth of entries (17 total) for the last week of August!
--- Who's waving at us as we walk into the Merriweather pit? Whoa, Jesse Bogue, Meg Bogue, Dave Shoroma, Lexx Paige, Anna Hickman, Alex Shiroma, Felicity Prince, and Josh Kodeck are here as well. Cool.
--- “Black Rock.” I actually like the restrained intro. Slow build adds intrigue; explosions still to come!
--- “Fire.” Flicker?
--- “Two Hands Up.” One hand?
--- “About an Hour Ago.” First song they ever recorded!
--- “Whose Chariot.” Nice “take me hommme” part and sax solo.
--- “Love and Memories”! HA at Hark pointing out that they failed to abruptly cut off on the last note as in the album version. Good ear!
--- “About Mr. Brown”!! So many specific Merriweather references: the weather, the venue, and the picture on the screen of the Merriweather fan who requested it.
--- “52-50”!!! Love that a fan who's been to 205 shows gets to dance and selfie with the band. The repeated line “some day I'm coming home (to Rockville) to stay” is awesome as well.
--- “Hey Girl”!! By far the best trumpet of the night and the most extensive Hark Arm Song. Man, things have really picked up since the too-high expectations early on.
--- “Road Outside Columbus.” Chill vibe brings back fond memories of our trip to Maureen, Jeff and Mel in Columbus. The trumpet guy is the clear MVP. No one else is even close.
--- “Caroline The Wrecking Ball.” Great story song even though I'd never heard it before. Hark helped...
--- “Night Shift,” “Untitled,” “Hold On True,” and “Peace” are decent. “Anyway” is elevated by this absurd lyric: “Never say that nothing ever came from a mouse anyway.” What does that mean?! Love the dueling sax and trumpet on opposite ends of the stage. “Best part of music is that when you hear it, you feel no pain.” Thanks, Bob.
--- Aww, Hark sings “Shattered,” and the entire pavilion joins in!
--- “Heaven.” “I don't want to go heaven if I can't get in -- if they don't want me." Metaphor for past groups' homophobia? Either way, unexpectedly strong song. [Update: I researched it online, and apparently it was part of an It Gets Better campaign. Can’t believe I called it right!]
--- Um, scented herbs exist...
--- Aww, they're inviting the opening bands and fans on stage. TO PLAY BON JOVI. All of the covers I remember bands do live are either obscure or for comedic effect. Them tearing into such an unabashed mainstream hit was awesome. Knowing “Crazy Game of Poker” was coming next, flying cards and all, made it even better. What a way to end summer 2015.
Grade: A
--- Who's waving at us as we walk into the Merriweather pit? Whoa, Jesse Bogue, Meg Bogue, Dave Shoroma, Lexx Paige, Anna Hickman, Alex Shiroma, Felicity Prince, and Josh Kodeck are here as well. Cool.
--- “Black Rock.” I actually like the restrained intro. Slow build adds intrigue; explosions still to come!
--- “Fire.” Flicker?
--- “Two Hands Up.” One hand?
--- “About an Hour Ago.” First song they ever recorded!
--- “Whose Chariot.” Nice “take me hommme” part and sax solo.
--- “Love and Memories”! HA at Hark pointing out that they failed to abruptly cut off on the last note as in the album version. Good ear!
--- “About Mr. Brown”!! So many specific Merriweather references: the weather, the venue, and the picture on the screen of the Merriweather fan who requested it.
--- “52-50”!!! Love that a fan who's been to 205 shows gets to dance and selfie with the band. The repeated line “some day I'm coming home (to Rockville) to stay” is awesome as well.
--- “Hey Girl”!! By far the best trumpet of the night and the most extensive Hark Arm Song. Man, things have really picked up since the too-high expectations early on.
--- “Road Outside Columbus.” Chill vibe brings back fond memories of our trip to Maureen, Jeff and Mel in Columbus. The trumpet guy is the clear MVP. No one else is even close.
--- “Caroline The Wrecking Ball.” Great story song even though I'd never heard it before. Hark helped...
--- “Night Shift,” “Untitled,” “Hold On True,” and “Peace” are decent. “Anyway” is elevated by this absurd lyric: “Never say that nothing ever came from a mouse anyway.” What does that mean?! Love the dueling sax and trumpet on opposite ends of the stage. “Best part of music is that when you hear it, you feel no pain.” Thanks, Bob.
--- Aww, Hark sings “Shattered,” and the entire pavilion joins in!
--- “Heaven.” “I don't want to go heaven if I can't get in -- if they don't want me." Metaphor for past groups' homophobia? Either way, unexpectedly strong song. [Update: I researched it online, and apparently it was part of an It Gets Better campaign. Can’t believe I called it right!]
--- Um, scented herbs exist...
--- Aww, they're inviting the opening bands and fans on stage. TO PLAY BON JOVI. All of the covers I remember bands do live are either obscure or for comedic effect. Them tearing into such an unabashed mainstream hit was awesome. Knowing “Crazy Game of Poker” was coming next, flying cards and all, made it even better. What a way to end summer 2015.
Grade: A
177 -- Rise Against -- Wednesday, July 29, 2015 -- The Fillmore -- Silver Spring, MD
Almost every A+ show brings something new: new songs, venues, interpretations, experiences, etc. This Rise Against show, though, generally brought the same (awesome) elements as the previous ones.
The difference was that this was the first time I was able to share it. Hark, Alex Bush, Angie Bryl, and Zach Wood had never been to a Rise Against concert before. It was especially rewarding sharing with Zach, now a junior at JMU, since this was the first concert with a (former) student. Technically, it was not perfect: Tim McIllrath’s vocals lacked clarity, Appeal to Reason made few appearances, and the band should always play more songs. Being able to revel in so many good things with four good friends, though, made it special.
Among the good things…
--- Hearing the crowd shriek in protest at “I Don’t Want to Be Here Anymore.” Such lies – no one wants to leave.
--- Hearing the band pay specific attention to the Fillmore audience: “We are in Silver Spring, not Silver Springs. I want to make sure I get that right…We were first in DC 15 years ago at a tiny place called The Nation. We were slotted to perform 10 minutes before doors opened?!...Few thing better than hot punk rock…This next song is scientifically better with a circle pit. If you spin, it’s a proven improvement.”
--- The fact that they did everything they could to combat homophobia before doing so was socially acceptable. Not sure the crowd would have been as unified during “Make It Stop” a few years ago, but I’ll still take it!
--- Including Revolutions for old-school fans, literally being caught by someone during “Help Is On Way.”
--- Alex and I flying from the back through the mosh pits to the front and back again in ten seconds flat. The best mode of transportation: being flung by fellow fans. Planes, trains, and cars can’t compare.
--- Hark, Angie, and Zach getting rid of sloppy wastes of space in time for a group song. Linking arms made “Hero of War” / “Swing Life Away” even better.
--- The gate-based heart attacks Zach and I survived in the parking lot.
--- And finally, hearing the progression of songs. They went from good to great to !!!!: “Dancing For Rain,” “Satellite,” “Give It All,” “Reeducation,” “Collapse,” “Ready To Fall,” and “Prayer of the Refugee.” Glad Hark, Alex, Angie, and Zach were all there to hear them.
Grade: A+
The difference was that this was the first time I was able to share it. Hark, Alex Bush, Angie Bryl, and Zach Wood had never been to a Rise Against concert before. It was especially rewarding sharing with Zach, now a junior at JMU, since this was the first concert with a (former) student. Technically, it was not perfect: Tim McIllrath’s vocals lacked clarity, Appeal to Reason made few appearances, and the band should always play more songs. Being able to revel in so many good things with four good friends, though, made it special.
--- Hearing the crowd shriek in protest at “I Don’t Want to Be Here Anymore.” Such lies – no one wants to leave.
--- Hearing the band pay specific attention to the Fillmore audience: “We are in Silver Spring, not Silver Springs. I want to make sure I get that right…We were first in DC 15 years ago at a tiny place called The Nation. We were slotted to perform 10 minutes before doors opened?!...Few thing better than hot punk rock…This next song is scientifically better with a circle pit. If you spin, it’s a proven improvement.”
--- The fact that they did everything they could to combat homophobia before doing so was socially acceptable. Not sure the crowd would have been as unified during “Make It Stop” a few years ago, but I’ll still take it!
--- Including Revolutions for old-school fans, literally being caught by someone during “Help Is On Way.”
--- Alex and I flying from the back through the mosh pits to the front and back again in ten seconds flat. The best mode of transportation: being flung by fellow fans. Planes, trains, and cars can’t compare.
--- Hark, Angie, and Zach getting rid of sloppy wastes of space in time for a group song. Linking arms made “Hero of War” / “Swing Life Away” even better.
--- The gate-based heart attacks Zach and I survived in the parking lot.
--- And finally, hearing the progression of songs. They went from good to great to !!!!: “Dancing For Rain,” “Satellite,” “Give It All,” “Reeducation,” “Collapse,” “Ready To Fall,” and “Prayer of the Refugee.” Glad Hark, Alex, Angie, and Zach were all there to hear them.
Grade: A+
176 -- Foo Fighters -- Saturday, July 18, 2015 -- Fenway Park -- Boston, MA
Walking out of Fenway Park with Erik Kastman Saturday night, one thought occurred to me, “I just saw the future of Rock and Roll, and his name is Dave Grohl.” This may seem like an odd statement because Grohl is, after all, 46 YEARS OLD. I wish there were someone younger, and I foolishly thought a few years ago that a certain folk band could answer the call, but after Saturday, the reality is abundantly clear. Dave Grohl is the only performer who comes close to Bruce Springsteen.
That combination of talent, energy, versatility, and nuclear-powered charisma that Bruce has, Dave has as well. His songs may be less subtle and sermons less socially conscious, but in every other way, Dave measures up. When Bruce finally, tragically fades, Dave will be the new Boss.
If that strikes any Springsteen fans reading this as hyperbolic, read on. The number of euphoric highs at this concert outnumbered most of the year’s concerts combined...
--- How do you *start* the show with “Everlong”?! Bold, cool.
--- Noooo, “Monkey Wrench” this early is a bridge too far: wasteful! [Update: Dave added new riffs and whipped everyone up to such an extent that he won me over. Fortune favors the bold.]
--- “Learn to Fly” is a nice opportunity to breathe. It’s also a reminder to K and I that Hark is here in spirit.
--- “Something from Nothing,” the Chicago song, one of the two best tracks on Sonic Highways, delivers.
--- “The Pretender”!! Time to LEAP in the air.
--- Lol, 10,000 people screech “slideshow.” That is, they want to see the hilarious/inspiring slideshow of Dave breaking his leg on stage and preserving the tour by performing on a circular guitar throne. The slideshow concludes with “Big Me,” a first-album tribute to the “hairy road crew” who kept him going when he got injured.
--- I'd forgotten “Walk”’s ending; it builds really build well. Underrated.
--- “Congregation,” the Nashville song, is decent. I like the “no false hope” line.
--- Drummer Taylor Hawkins riffs on “Another One Bites The Dust” during the band member intros. He then performs his own song “Cold Day in the Sun.” I find it hilarious that seconds before typing that the lyrics are subpar, I read an article quoting Hawkins as saying, “I wrote it morning before the song was recorded, and the lyrics suck. It's more about the melody. Dave always said he liked it, but I was like, ‘Yeah, bull.’”
--- “My Hero” and “Times Like These”! Mmm, gotta love those warm and fuzzy 40,000-PERSON sing-a-longs.
--- “I try to make these stadiums like every person is in the hot, sweaty club down the street.” Yes!!!!
--- “When I say the Foo Fighters love Queen, I mean they *love* Queen....You wanna know why? When we heard Queen, we wanted to be here. We wanted to be a rock band. For me, it goes back to Thomas Jefferson High School Battle of the Bands 1983 in Alexandria, VA. We played ‘Footloose.’ We got third place. First place played (some other song). Where is first place now though? Not at Fenway in front of 40,000 of you!!!”
--- They prompt the crowd if they want to hear Classic Rock or Classic Foo? Heh, Foo has an unfair phonic advantage, but alright. Not alright: “All My Life.” More than alright, it qualifies as Black.Red.MAGIC!!! I was able to jump and pump full throttle for four minutes. Glorious.
--- “These Days” off Wasting Light is solid. More than solid: random guy across for me comes in for a high five!!
--- “Outside,” the L.A. track on Sonic Highways, has an incomprehensible intro but settles into a nice trippy jam halfway through. Wish Boston did not hate NY, so they could have played “I Am a River,” the NY track / best track on Sonic Highways.
--- Aww, I recognized "Breakout" from first half-note. Aww again for K being all, “That is the second song after ‘Stacked Actors’ on my album.” Random guy who hasn't said anything the whole time insists “great song!” Love that Dave gives a shoutout to the nosebleeds AND the good seats. YES. Rich/poor, privileged/disadvantaged: all fans matter!
--- Some dumb old "water shed" song. Oh, it's literally called "Water Shed" haha.
--- If Dave and I didn't live in Alexandria, “Arlandia” would be meh. We do, though, so it's solid. Better than that actually. As K said, “Nice groove near the end.”
--- “I'll Stick Around.” Aww at this guy airing the guitar during the “I don't owe you anything” section. Heh at ape grunts on the last notes.
--- “This is A Call.” ANOTHER one off the first album. I don't even love that album, but I love the sentiment.
--- Oooh, I think they have different local bands open in every city, connecting with Sonic Highways. Great idea.
--- “When I was in 16, I was in a band called Brain Damage. We were awful. But we wanted to be Mission Inferno. One of the highlights of my life was to be on stage with these people, and I am tonight.”
--- “Best of You” has this new riff and perfect pacing. Tenderrrr!!!
--- I’m glad I was here for all these moments and got to experience them with Erik Kastman. Twenty years from now, my kids won’t be able to get live Bruce, but fingers crossed, they will be able to get live Dave…
Grade: A+
That combination of talent, energy, versatility, and nuclear-powered charisma that Bruce has, Dave has as well. His songs may be less subtle and sermons less socially conscious, but in every other way, Dave measures up. When Bruce finally, tragically fades, Dave will be the new Boss.
If that strikes any Springsteen fans reading this as hyperbolic, read on. The number of euphoric highs at this concert outnumbered most of the year’s concerts combined...
--- How do you *start* the show with “Everlong”?! Bold, cool.
--- Noooo, “Monkey Wrench” this early is a bridge too far: wasteful! [Update: Dave added new riffs and whipped everyone up to such an extent that he won me over. Fortune favors the bold.]
--- “Learn to Fly” is a nice opportunity to breathe. It’s also a reminder to K and I that Hark is here in spirit.
--- “Something from Nothing,” the Chicago song, one of the two best tracks on Sonic Highways, delivers.
--- “The Pretender”!! Time to LEAP in the air.
--- Lol, 10,000 people screech “slideshow.” That is, they want to see the hilarious/inspiring slideshow of Dave breaking his leg on stage and preserving the tour by performing on a circular guitar throne. The slideshow concludes with “Big Me,” a first-album tribute to the “hairy road crew” who kept him going when he got injured.
--- I'd forgotten “Walk”’s ending; it builds really build well. Underrated.
--- “Congregation,” the Nashville song, is decent. I like the “no false hope” line.
--- Drummer Taylor Hawkins riffs on “Another One Bites The Dust” during the band member intros. He then performs his own song “Cold Day in the Sun.” I find it hilarious that seconds before typing that the lyrics are subpar, I read an article quoting Hawkins as saying, “I wrote it morning before the song was recorded, and the lyrics suck. It's more about the melody. Dave always said he liked it, but I was like, ‘Yeah, bull.’”
--- “My Hero” and “Times Like These”! Mmm, gotta love those warm and fuzzy 40,000-PERSON sing-a-longs.
--- “I try to make these stadiums like every person is in the hot, sweaty club down the street.” Yes!!!!
--- “When I say the Foo Fighters love Queen, I mean they *love* Queen....You wanna know why? When we heard Queen, we wanted to be here. We wanted to be a rock band. For me, it goes back to Thomas Jefferson High School Battle of the Bands 1983 in Alexandria, VA. We played ‘Footloose.’ We got third place. First place played (some other song). Where is first place now though? Not at Fenway in front of 40,000 of you!!!”
--- They prompt the crowd if they want to hear Classic Rock or Classic Foo? Heh, Foo has an unfair phonic advantage, but alright. Not alright: “All My Life.” More than alright, it qualifies as Black.Red.MAGIC!!! I was able to jump and pump full throttle for four minutes. Glorious.
--- “These Days” off Wasting Light is solid. More than solid: random guy across for me comes in for a high five!!
--- “Outside,” the L.A. track on Sonic Highways, has an incomprehensible intro but settles into a nice trippy jam halfway through. Wish Boston did not hate NY, so they could have played “I Am a River,” the NY track / best track on Sonic Highways.
--- Aww, I recognized "Breakout" from first half-note. Aww again for K being all, “That is the second song after ‘Stacked Actors’ on my album.” Random guy who hasn't said anything the whole time insists “great song!” Love that Dave gives a shoutout to the nosebleeds AND the good seats. YES. Rich/poor, privileged/disadvantaged: all fans matter!
--- Some dumb old "water shed" song. Oh, it's literally called "Water Shed" haha.
--- If Dave and I didn't live in Alexandria, “Arlandia” would be meh. We do, though, so it's solid. Better than that actually. As K said, “Nice groove near the end.”
--- “I'll Stick Around.” Aww at this guy airing the guitar during the “I don't owe you anything” section. Heh at ape grunts on the last notes.
--- “This is A Call.” ANOTHER one off the first album. I don't even love that album, but I love the sentiment.
--- Oooh, I think they have different local bands open in every city, connecting with Sonic Highways. Great idea.
--- “When I was in 16, I was in a band called Brain Damage. We were awful. But we wanted to be Mission Inferno. One of the highlights of my life was to be on stage with these people, and I am tonight.”
--- “Best of You” has this new riff and perfect pacing. Tenderrrr!!!
--- I’m glad I was here for all these moments and got to experience them with Erik Kastman. Twenty years from now, my kids won’t be able to get live Bruce, but fingers crossed, they will be able to get live Dave…
Grade: A+
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