I will be seeing Elvis Perkins in Dearland tonight at Walter’s on Washington. I left his set in Austin at SXSW, as I was on to bigger and better things and they were having sound issues. I felt a little dissappointed afterwards so now I have a second chance. Here’s “While You Were Sleeping” from the 2007 album, Ash Wednesday.
Friday at Fitz
I guess I owe Carmen for the wonderful display of talent compiled last night in her honor. As an acquaintance to one of the contributing bands, Fitzgerald’s hosted a birthday bash for her. Adam Rodgers, a native Houstonian who currently resides in Austin, kicked things off right on schedule, my compliments to the venue. Adam has, within the last six months, put together a band called Bantam Lyons. The name derived from a character in the book Ulysses by James Joyce. While recruiting a few individuals to simply lend a hand, Adam instead found something that worked well as a full collaboration. He credits his band mates, not as “aficionado’s of their instruments,” but with the amazing ability for thought and creativity.
The track, “Sweet Melody,” can be found on Adam’s MySpace page. It’s a five piece harmony substituted with a guitar solo when performed live. Adam plans to spend the next few months writing in hopes of drafting 10 new songs to present to his guitarist, Curran Guiney. He foresees his debut album as being largely acoustic with possibly a cello. When asked about his inspirations, Adam mentioned Dave Matthews and Jason Mraz before digging deeper into his appreciation for Motown. He believes that Motown was revolutionary in generating hits and that rock and pop genres would not be present today had Motown not existed. He likes music that constantly evolves and used the band Radiohead as an example. “How can you breakthrough if all you play is the same shit?” he said. Furthermore, he explained that, while The Beatles aided in the understatement of Motown, they did things right by incorporating a variety of musical stylings and by “not letting other people tell them what to write.”
Adam’s motivation for songwriting lies in the recollection of his late father, who made him listen to Marvin Gaye when he was child. Adam’s song “Save Me” is a tribute to his father. “Fuck Me” is a song exhibiting Guiney and his very influential guitar accompaniment. Closing the set, Adam performed a solo cover of Ben Harper’s “I’ll Rise.” He sang it a cappella despite the gentle repeated strum of the bass string.
Photo by Angela Mack:
A Dream Asleep
After a nice conversation with Adam I went back inside the crumbling authentic dive and caught the tail end of Sleeping with Giants. It was a head-banging, lip-pierced, punk montage with a humdrum front man singer. I headed downstairs and, as the laggard observer I had been all night, I again only heard one or two numbers by A Dream Asleep. Furthermore, during that brief time I was distracted by the stage platform coated with band stickers. Just not my cup of tea. What I did like, however, were the low stringers improvised by the lead guitar during the singer’s quirky banters. The singer was having a great time. I’ll give him that. Blood rushed to his face as he screamed his heart out. During the last song he jumped off of the stage and began leaping onto people in the crowd.
Photo by Angela Mack:
Another Run
It’s rare but it does happen. Another Run’s drummer also serves as the band’s front man. Adrian Grammer has been singing for the band for 4 years. Initially they were looking for a lead singer but Adrian took the bull by the horns, so to speak, when nobody stepped up. He had difficultly describing their sound and responded first by informing me that they “don’t stick to one genre.” Indie rock, blues, soul, jazz, and rock n’ roll can all be found within their original work. Adrian’s personal favorites are Pete Yorn and a band called Ours. As a band they are influenced by Incubus, At The Drive-In, and The Police. Their first record was released in 2006 and was titled No Sleep Tonight. It was self recorded, self produced, and independently released. Their second release (an E.P.) is currently being mixed in New York and will most likely be titled What Happened. Adrian writes the lyrics, the melody, and the drums but the arrangement is done cooperatively with the rest of the band.
They started with great vocal harmonies followed by a song featured on their MySpace page titled “I‘ll Be There.” I was anticipating a horn solo from Bob, the bass player, after waiting out their sound check and watching him warm up to a trumpet. It was incorporated into a track driven by power chords and representative of their harder side. They covered The Killers’ “Midnight Show” at the end of their set and Adrian did a good job of replicating Brandon Flowers’ distinctive voice. If you would like to check them out, their next show will be at Dean’s next Saturday May 16, 2009 at 11pm.
Better Luck from Katy, TX was your typical, mainstream impacted, guitars-worn-at-your-knees, punk band. They invited us to come closer by jokingly making sure we knew that it was alright to bring alcoholic beverages to the stage.
Bettrer Luck
Downstairs I found The 71’s, a band I had seen open for Thriving Ivory at Warehouse Live back in December. I purchased their debut album, We Are Locomotive, and looped it in my car until I discovered my favorite track, “Tomorrow Belongs to You.” Its funky, slightly distorted introduction preludes a catchy vocal paired with very essential lyrics. “The truth is, honey/ money never seemed that sweet/ When you’re lyin’ on your back/ money don’t get you back on your feet.” These words illustrate the willingness to recognize something that has the power to evoke a figment of happiness while creating a barrier to actual happiness. So, my interpretation of a message would be to identify the things that hold you back and eliminate them in order to obtain true happiness.
You can always expect to hear a cover song from The 71’s, as each performance I’ve seen has included one. It was “Interstate Love Song” by Stone Temple Pilots at Warehouse and last night it was Tears for Fears’ “Everybody Wants to Rule the World.” They implemented a great version complete with its familiar guitar riff, courtesy of Ryan Cecil on the electric.
Keeton Coffman, the front man of The 71’s, approached me after his performance, as I had attempted to get in touch through various social networks including MySpace and Facebook, prior to last night‘s event. From Keeton I learned that the band has received some airtime in Austin. They have been featured on the indie FM station 106.7. In addition, they had three of their songs licensed to preview on the TV reality show, The Real World. Despite these few promotional breaks, Keeton claims that he and his band mates just “aren’t good at the business thing.” We shared our thoughts on the unmanageable amount of resources available online and how keeping up with that is a full time job in itself. The 71’s prefer local gigs to touring and are currently striving to become the best rock/pop band in Houston. “I want our music to matter to Houston because Houston matters to us,” said Keeton. They will be taking some time off this summer to play at youth groups for children. Visit them on MySpace for show dates returning in July. While I did not have the pleasure, you may witness Keeton’s back flip, as he has chosen to display it in the past. A practiced gymnast, Keeton coaches on the side.
The Vettes
Rachel is the front woman to an otherwise all male group. The Vettes is a fitting name for this group, as each member is a Vette. To clarify, they are all related and their last name is Vette. Rachel and her four brothers reside in Louisiana and have been on tour through Texas and surrounding states for the last several months. Rachel has great stage presence and the pipes to make it legit. Sheathed in bangle bracelets to her elbows, stilettos, and a plethora of necklaces she strut the stage with such riveting energy that I had to remind myself to pay attention to the other components of the group. With her glitter embossed microphone stand in tow she struck a number of suggestive poses and entertained animated facial expressions and lyric-echoed gestures. With her apparent 80’s influences, Rachel enjoys Depeshe Mode and Duran Duran. The Vettes have been compared to Blondie but Rachel ensured me that they found their sound prior to exploring any of the bands they resemble. The available E.P. is titled T.V EP and contains five tracks. I guess the summer season fuels creativity because, like Adam Rodgers and The 71’s, The Vettes will be taking most of June and July off from touring to do some song-writing.
“Meddle” by Little Boots
BEHOLD! An audio player. Thanks to some very helpful people in the support forum I have finally learned how to create a directory in my FTP client to store all of the mp3s from my itunes. This means that I can insert them like so and you can play my personal collection right here in my blog without being redirected. Coooool.
Victoria Hesketh, known as Little Boots, is an English electronic musician well versed in synthesizers and piano, among other instruments. “Meddle” is the second single off of her debut album Hands. “New In Town,” releasing May 25, 2009, will be the third. The entire album will unveil on June 6, 2009.
“Meddle” by Little Boots
“Come Monday Night” from God Help the Girl
Pitchfork’s video premiere for today is “Come Monday Night,” from God Help the Girl. God Help the Girl is a musical film to be shot in 2010, written by Belle & Sebastian’s Stuart Murdoch. He wrote this song which is sung by Catherine Ireton. The soundtrack will be released on June 23, 2009.
“Gold and Warm” by Bad Veins
I present to you an acoustic rendition of the “Gold and Warm.” It was a casual show following their tour with Eulogies. The band’s debut album will be released by Dangerbird Records on July 21, 2009.
Bad Veins bring Gold and Warm to a Brooklyn rooftop from gogoyoko on Vimeo.
“Stronger Than Jesus” by A Camp
Visit Spinner.com for the video of the day! Here’s a taste of what you’ll find there.
Fake Problems and Eulogies
I will be attending a show brought to me by pegstar.net at Warehouse Live on May 17, 2009. It will be Great Northern, Eulogies, and The Dears. I plan to go to all three so it’s gonna be a long one. Anyway, I thought I would check out the website to see what Pegstar is all about. It’s obviously a promotions company but it’s based in Houston to bring it’s Houston fans the best and most current indie bands around.
To advertise their May 11th show they have included this video for the February 17, 2009 release of It’s Great To Be Alive by Fake Problems.
Fake Problems – The Dream Team
Also, here is “Eyes on the Prize” by Eulogies.
“Percussion Gun” by White Rabbits
Isn’t this a great video? Simple, yet innovative. Did it make you dizzy? White Rabbits are set to release their second album, It’s Frightening, on May 19, 2009. Tour dates for the 2009 run begin mid-May. Unfortunately, they will not be stopping in Houston. Go see ’em for me if they’re playing in your town. You might hear Bob Dylan’s “Maggie’s Farm,” as cover songs they are known for and this is their favorite.
Rent at The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts
In early 2005 the movie version of Rent was released staring original Broadway cast members. I’ve never seen Rent live, therefore, all I have to go on for comparison is the movie, which I own and love. Adam Pascal, as Roger the musician, walks onstage first and picks up his guitar. He is followed by Anthony Rapp as Mark, the documentary film-maker. Each receive a warm applauded welcome. Both performers have been with the production since 1996 when it was an unknown, off-Broadway show. We see Mark, in the same burgundy and blue sweater he sported in the feature film version, kicking off the show because he also plays the narrator.
It’s Christmas eve in 1989 and roommates Roger and Mark expect a visit from their old roommate, and M.I.T philosophy professor, Tom Collins played by Michael McElroy. Tom is jumped on his way to Roger and Mark’s apartment and is found and coddled by none other than Angel Schunard, the transvestite, played by Justin Johnston who then invites him to a life support meeting. This is a story about the unconventional lifestyles of a group of friends and artists, a number of whom have contracted AIDS.
We begin with the title track, so to speak. “Rent” is performed by The Company and is simply an introduction of the story about to be told. They’re young, their poor, they’re not about to use their art to sell out, and everything in their lives is only theirs to rent. Time. Even love. Nothing can be obtained for good and nothing comes without a price or a known devastation down the road. For instance, we see Roger struggle almost the entire show with the inability to commit to Mimi due to fear, guilt, and despair.
On his way out to look for Collins, Mark invites Roger to come along but Roger of course refuses. Roger is crooning over his late girlfriend. I learned today that she killed herself. The revealing line that they left out of the movie goes something like this, ‘zoom in on Roger… grieving the loss of April who, after telling Roger “we have AIDS,” slit her wrists.’ Drug use initiated their disease. Whenever Mark narrates he starts by saying, “zoom in,” because the narration cleverly serves a two part purpose, one to inform the crowd and another to recount his filming.
Left alone in the apartment Roger performs his first solo number “One Song Glory.” It’s one of my personal favorites and Adam, a short spiked blonde from the long wavy dark-haired principal we saw in the movie, has Roger’s rock-band-front-man voice to nail it. Or, as the lyrics say, ‘pretty boy front man.’ That’s what he was. The song goes back and forth describing the life he had before AIDS and the life he now has. He had the girl of his dreams and the world at his feet. Now he hasn’t left his apartment in six months. He has difficulty finding meaning in anything enough to write it into a song. The little ditty he continuously plays is “Musetta’s Waltz” from La Bohème, the opera of which this production is a modern take on. It isn’t until he is pursued by his upstairs neighbor and club dancer, Mimi Marquez, that Roger begins to realize that, to paraphrase another song, life is his to miss if he doesn’t forget the regret. There is no other way to live but for today. Even then it takes some persistence on Mimi’s part. Roger shuns her until he finds out that she too has AIDS.
Mimi played by Lexi Lawson makes her first attempt at getting his attention with “Light My Candle.” This number was a little disappointing for me. Not one of my favorites to begin with, Lexi just could not compete with Rosario Dawson. Despite being a contestant on this season’s American Idol, leaving to pursue her musical theatre career, she just didn’t bring the powerful performance I was hoping for. I could say that, unlike the other female leads, Mimi’s songs are ballads but that’s not entirely true. Only “Without You” is the real ballad here. She could have brought down the house on “Out Tonight” and she didn’t. Every once in a while we got a taste of her vocal range but I felt that it diminished each time before reaching its stunning peak. As Randy would say, it just wasn’t right for me for her. With that being said, I will give her props for her dancing. She did an evocative night club dance bending and contorting herself over a stair railing to the extreme that I feared for her danger of falling.
Collins arrives the next day at Roger and Mark’s place escorting his new found partner Angel. Clad in drag Santa Clause attire, Justin performs “Today 4 U” with mesmerizing hilarity. This song clears up any Akita-Evita confusion one might have. A woman paid Angel to get rid of her neighbors irritant akita dog named Evita. This song describes how she played her drum sticks until the dog’s insanity level drove it to jump out the window: [It was my lucky day today on Avenue A/ When a lady in a limousine drove my way/ She said, “Darling, be a dear, haven’t slept in a year/ I need your help to make my neighbors yappy dog dissapear/ I believe if you play nonstop that pup/ Will breathe it’s very last high strung breath.”] It’s a little far fetched but very funny. A later reference tells us that the dog belonged to Benny, the landlord threatening to evict everyone.
Benny comes into the picture here for “You’ll See.” This song was moved in the movie as the one to follow “Rent.” I LOVE the way this is sung by Taye Diggs in the movie. I was very disappointed when I bought the soundtrack and this one was left off. Today, Jacques Smith as Benjamin Coffin III lived up to my expectations. Furthermore, he seems to have a larger part on stage than he does in the movie. In the movie he emerges for his few numbers but is more talked about than seen. Benny used to be the roommate of Roger, Mark, and Collins. After marrying wealthy, he now has dreams of building a recording studio. He tells his former friends to pay or pack, to which Angel replies, ‘that man needs Prozac.’
Maureen is Mark’s ex-girlfriend and an actress set to perform a protest against Benny’s plans to expel the homeless people from the city. This is New York City. Mark is called to rescue Maureen’s show from technical failure so he heads to the performance space to get her patched. When he arrives he is unpleasantly greeted by Heneefah Wood playing Joanne who is Maureen’s current partner and a public interest lawyer. Heneefah was phenomenal. Remember the powerful voice I said Lexi was lacking? Haneefah has it and she sings her heart out on “Tango: Maureen.” Maureen has called on both Mark and Joanne to handle her sound issues but doesn’t bother to meet them herself. This puts them in the awkward position of meeting each other without her. In “Tango: Maureen” Mark is sympathizing with Joanne and sharing his experiences of yearning for her but never feeling her full attention. Joanne tries to deny it but she can relate. They dance the tango in what looks like a three foot width of space. They do it well considering this part cannot compare to the movie. In the movie Mark daydreams taking us to a ballroom full of tango dancers with Maureen in red while everyone else wears black. Mark and Joanne share a few sequences with Maureen but she shares several with other dancers. Let’s not forget how Mark learned to Tango; from the ‘Rabbi’s daughter at the Jewish Community Center.’ The last name’s Cohen. Mark Cohen.
“Out Tonight” and “Another Day” blend into a nice medley. “Out Tonight” is Mimi’s second attempt to get Roger to pay her some attention and with “Another Day” he rejects her again: [Little girl/ Who do you think you are?/ Barging in on me and my guitar/ Another time/ Another place/ If you’re lookin’ for romance/ Come back another day]. And she can take her smack with her. Mimi has a drug habbit that she hasn’t yet attempted to kick. The Company takes a stand in Mimi’s defense and tries to convince Roger to live in the moment. He does eventually apologize and invites Mimi to go out for dinner with the gang after Maureen’s protest.
The cyber-studio protest is Maureen’s first scene. Nicolette Hart is playing Maureen. I expected this to be hilarious and astounding and it was. If you’re unfamiliar, I want to give you a glimpse of the comical sketch she draws for her fellow protesters: [Last night I had a dream/ I found myself in a desert called Cyberland/ It was hot/ My canteen had sprung a leak and I was thirsty/ Out of the abyss walked a cow–Elsie/ I asked if she had anything to drink/ She said, “I’m forbidden to produce milk”/ In Cyberland, we only drink Diet Coke.]
After the protest they all gather at the Life Café for a celebration and “La Vie Boheme (The Bohemian Life).” Again, if you haven’t a clue and you’re interested in knowing you should study the lyrics to this one. A general understanding is guaranteed without having heard the song before. You would, however, miss some of the subtle whit. Basically, with this song they justify any and all of their taboo behaviors and principals. We hear a throat clearing coming from a disapproving restaurant patron who observes Maureen and Joanne groping each other. ‘Hey mister, she’s my sister,’ is Maureen’s retort. Then Collins and Angel. ‘Brothers!’
Benny shows at the café as well. The song starts in objection to his statement, ‘This is Calcutta, Bohemia is dead.’ I don’t disagree with Benny. He’s saying that their Bohemian utopia doesn’t exist. He’s comparing New York City to the poverty of Kolkata. He’s trying to clean up a bad part of town and the kids are arguing to remain in their apartments even though they reside as squatters while making no money and, in fact, they don’t even attempt to make money. What’s wrong with Mark selling his film footage to Buzzline? His snobbish hesitance lies in the fact that Buzzline occasionally adopts pop culture headline news. Who cares if it pays the bills? Anyway, I feel like I’m getting worked up here. That’s all I have to say about it. I couldn’t give a shit about the sexual orientations. Who am I to say how one should live his or her life in that regard? So, they raise their glasses in honor of the death of Bohemia on the night when we celebrate the birth (remember, it’s Christmas eve). Dancing atop the tables in new drag, Justin snuck in one of Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies” dance moves. Can you believe it? I laughed.
The movie opener, “Seasons of Love” commenced the second act. I was waiting for Haneefah’s rendition of the solo I thought she would take. After all, the high C is hit when taken by Tracie Thoms as Joanne in the movie. It wasn’t Haneefah. A Company member did the honors and disappointed I was not. Now it’s new year’s eve. At this point only a week has lapsed since the beginning of the performance. Time passes more quickly from here on out. We fast forward to Valentine’s Day. Things aren’t going well for Joanne and Maureen and Joanne, tired of being Maureen’s slave, calls it quits. The song “Take Me Or Leave Me” foretells the end of their relationship. The two powerhouses in Haneefah and Nicolette made this one of my favorites live. The lyrics describe their polar opposite natures. Maureen is the flirtatious, domineering, and careless one: [A tiger in a cage/ Can never see the sun/ This diva needs her stage/ Baby- let’s have fun!/ You are the one I choose/ Folks’d kill to fill your shoes/ You love the limelight too, baby]. Joanne is the responsible, hard-working, insecure one: [It won’t work/ I look before I leap/ I love margins and discipline/ I make lists in my sleep/ Baby what’s my sin?/ Never quit- I follow through/ I hate mess- but I love you/ What to do with my impromptu baby]. Both parties continue by requesting that the other ‘take me for what I am’ because she cannot change.
Again we fast forward to spring. The ballads are carried out. Mimi and Roger also throw in the towel and Angel is taken by his disease. Roger feels the need to escape and decides to move to Santa Fe. In “Halloween,” a number that is left out of the movie, Mark reminisces about life a year ago and how different and much better it was. Collins has agreed by saying he can’t believe ‘this family must die.’ While in Santa Fe playing his guitar to pedestrians, Roger can’t get Mimi out of his mind. He goes back to New York when it is again Christmas eve. We hear the electric guitar accompaniment when Mark and Roger cap “What You Own.” Don’t forget about those guys playing their instruments in the dark. It’s all part of the outcome.
At home Roger learns that Mimi is missing. Maureen and Joanne, having settled their differences, find her living on the streets and bring her to Roger’s where she had asked to be taken. Roger finally voices his love for Mimi and plays her the song she inspired (“Your Eyes“). It took him all year to write it. He finally found meaning in the remainder of his numbered days and someone he wants to be with until they expire. But Mimi is fading by the defeat of her illness. She momentarily falls unconscious before her fever breaks and she wakes. In the finale Roger sings, ‘thank God this moment is not the last.’ She does not die, but the illusive happy ending it appears to be, it is not. They have no future. They will live in fear until the fear is replaced with death or loss.
Black Kids and Mates of State at Warehouse Live
If you’re from Houston and were wondering, Warehouse Live does have a Grand Ballroom. If you can call it that. I have often wondered myself what admittance into the ballroom takes, as the auxiliary stage is being used whenever I attend. Apparently it takes Mates of State, a husband and wife team noted for their vocal harmony.
First we owed the pleasure to Black Kids as the opening act. Where would these guys (and gals) be without the internet? They posted four songs on their MySpace page a few years back and that was enough to start the blogroll. Yes, several bogglers like myself created a quick buzz for the EP titled, Wizard of Ahhhs. From Jacksonville, FL, the Black Kids consist of Reggie Youngblood on guitar and lead vocals, his sister Ali Youngblood and Dawn Watley on keyboards and backing vocals, Owen Holmes on bass, and Kevin Snow on drums.
The playful dance-along-to raucous has the tendency to cloud any lyrical seriousness or emotion. After all, as NME has pointed out, these songs are all about having desires. “I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You” is quite obviously about jealousy. The fact that someone has been hurt by rejection, however, may not cross your mind as you clap and sing along. In addition, there are actual goofy, good-humored lyrics such as these from “I’ve Underestimated my Charm (Again)”: I get angst in my pants/ and goddam it to hell/ it don’t help if I dance.
The girls and their dueling keyboards were a nice compliment to Reggie’s impressive Robert-Smith-transmitted vocal. Furthermore, Dawn sometimes played co-vocalist (as opposed to backing) on songs such as “Listen to Your Body Tonight.” Echo-back styling’s among the girls and Reggie added to their largely vivacious and impish mood.
Reggie kept requesting the lights to come down. When they had not yet met his satisfaction he seductively said, “a little lower please.” The Kids were fun, as were Mates of State. I have never seen such fun being had by band members themselves. To illustrate, the Mates passed shots to all the Kids during their set. Then they pranced onstage with Sunbears, the first opening band, wearing masks and wigs and threw confetti. It’s hard to imagine that the Mates are proud parents of two young children.
The Kids dedicated “Hurricane Jane” to the Mates, or as they like to call them, ‘the inmates of the States.’ Thanks to Ali, this is the most synth-participated song of the LP, Partie Traumatic. Following the set, Reggie walked to the end of the stage, I guess to shake some hands, and Owen pushed him off. The look on his face as he fell told me that the nose dive into the crowd took him by complete surprise. The stage crew ran to his rescue but only saved his guitar. He had to scale the stair railing to get out. You’ll see in the YouTube video below. If you watch to the very end you might see me looking like I went to give a high five that wasn’t reciprocated as he walked by.
1. Listen To Your Body Tonight
2. I’ve Underestimated My Charm (Again)
3. Look At Me (When I Rock Wichoo)
4. UFO Cool
5. Hurricane Jane
7. Love Me Already
8. I’m Making Eyes At You
9. I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You
When they were through, Lindsey started grumbling about how I’d kept her up past her bedtime and threatened to call a cab if I didn’t agree to leave soon. I said, “go right ahead” but really I was upset that my scheme to keep my sister there by offering a ride did not work.
A chime broke the silence that anticipation had brought over the crowd. It was followed up by a horn to ring in Hammel’s vocal introduction and Kori’s piano. They started with “My Only Offer.” They are credited with fluctuating rhythms and fragmented arrangements as well. “Fluke” is a good example of this. Lewis, on loan from another band scheduled to play Meridian the next night, was given a cello solo to follow “Fluke.” He stuffed it aggressively with heartrending to high spirited staccato.
“So Many Ways” gave an air of sophistication. A violin murmured from the low-lit backgrounders. I gazed around the room and noticed that Mates of States had drawn an older, calmer crowd. Some of the energy present for Black Kids thinned out when the Mates took the stage. For one, the hipsters who, while standing in front of me, drew eyes from all directions due to their progressive attire and eccentric dancing didn’t stick around.
During “Ha Ha” Youngblood wandered onstage and started dancing. I think he was getting drunk. He had a shot and a beer during his performance and my guess is that it only continued afterwards.
“Open Book” is undoubtedly a chaotic mess. However, it’s a brilliant chaotic mess. For the most part the pair simultaneously sang completely different melodies. Nobody in this group plays the guitar, not even the borrowed members. I didn’t see a need for one either. Strings joined in at the building end of “Open Book.” Adding to the chaos and distraction of this number were Sunbears throwing CD boomerangs into the crowd from behind the curtain.
“Re-Arrange Us” continued to display the Mates penetrating, lofty-ranged voices. Everyone was onstage once again. I counted a total of 14 people.
“Long Way Home” is a Tom Waits cover and they chose to perform it as their first encore. Hammel played a free standing bass drum alongside Kori’s piano and I spoke too soon when I said no guitars. Thinking back I can hear an electric guitar coming from the upstage fiddler. “Goods (All In Your Head)” closed the show. 7 snare drums were carted on-stage. Everyone was playing something. There were two people per keyboard and three people on Hammel’s drum set. What a way to bring things to a close! Have a listen to “Ha Ha” below.
1. My Only Offer
2. Get Better
3. Fraud in the ‘80’s
4. Fluke
5. So Many Ways
6. Think Long
7. You Are Free
8. Ha Ha
9. Now
10. Proofs
11. Open Book
12. Re-Arrange Us
Encore
1. Long Way Home (Tom Waits cover)
2. Goods (All In Your Head)
