On to the PAYBACKS. Another "garage" band from Detroit.... could they really be any good? Well, actually yes they can. This female fronted 4-some rocked the End and totally made up for the aforementioned catastrophe. I was new to the PAYBACKS before this show and only went because I had a free ride to the show. I was very pleasantly surprised. Their lead guitarist had more energy than any one I have ever seen (except for maybe Kepi Ghoulie). He seemed to enjoy every single note he played. He danced around the entire set. (ummm.... more to come on this. Im kinda stuck)
SPOON and THEE SHAMS- 12th & Porter, Nashville, TN. June 29, 2004: I was inside 12th & Porter for all of 15 minutes before the band I had come to see jumped on stage. Cincinatti's own THEE SHAMS came strolling out in their Beatle boots and mop-top hair-dos. I've been a fan of this band ever since they came through town a couple of years ago and rocked the Red Rose. So, of course I was expecting a lot. The last time I saw them, they totally blew my mind. You can read my previous review here.
With no hellos or introduction they stormed right into their set. I think I might have been one of about 10 that knew what to expect from these fellows, but as their set raged on, I could see the smiling faces and the dancing bodies of those who were previously only Spoon fans. They were breeding new SHAMS fans with each number. They played some old stuff that I recognized and a lot of songs from the new Fat Possum release "Please Yourself" that seemed to be selling quite well at the merch table after the show. I'm writing this on the 14th of July and I still hear people talking about THEE SHAMS' performance. There's hope for rock n roll after all.
Now on to SPOON. I was probably the only virgin to SPOON's music in the audience. I mean, they are the reason that just about everybody showed up. I thought their music was decent pop-oriented rock stuff. I would have no problems with listening to them on a CD player, but live is a different story. I thought their set was amazingly boring, especially after an electrifying performance by THEE SHAMS. They didn't really do anything besides stand up there, look pretty and try to hit on all the girls. Pretty lame over all. I'd buy their CD, but not a ticket to their show.
GREENHORNES and THE CLUTTERS- The End, Nashville, TN. June 27, 2004:
The show started off with another great set by one of my favorite local bands, the CLUTTERS. They played one of their tightest sets I've ever seen them play. There was nothing new, but I enjoy all their songs so it doesn't matter. I've reviewed tons of their shows before, so scroll through and find a good one and that should work.
Now on to the GREENHORNES.... I was new to the GREENHORNES live show. I've got a couple of their records and they're pretty good.... Well, if you're into the music the show was incredible. They sounded great, and of course I was blown away (& a little pissed off) by the drummer. I first saw him when he came through town as a 2nd drummer for the DIRTBOMBS. He didn't really do too much at that show, but at the GREENHORNES show, I guess he let loose. He plays in a classic style not unlike Keith Fox from THEE SHAMS. Both of these drummers kept my full attention throughout their respective shows. As far as the rest of the 'HORNES go, they weren't too exciting. They just kinda stood there and played their parts, which is why the music was so tight I guess... So, if you're looking for a crazy rock show, don't get your hopes up about the GREENHORNES, but if you enjoy good garage rock by good musicians, check 'em out....
WOGGLES, MONDO TOPLESS and THE CLUTTERS- Radio Cafe, Nashville, TN. February 28, 2004: Another great show that inspires an immediate review! After searching the dark roadways of East Nashville for a nice little while, I finally came across the beacon of light that is the Radio Cafe. When I arrived I already knew I was in store for a great rock show. I had seen all three of these bands before and knew what they were all capable of individually. The night started off with local garage heroes the CLUTTERS. Tonight they would be a 3-piece as their bass player, Jake, was out of town. This is the first time I've seen them with only guitar, organ and drums. I've seen them with all four members, as a 3-piece with just guitar, bass and drums and as a duo with just guitar and drums, none of these line-ups have dissapointed. At this show it seemed as though they were a bit nervous as there were a few screw-ups here and there that don't normally happen, and they seemed to have rushed through their set a little bit as well. I can't say that I blame them, cause I know I'd be pretty nervous opening up for two of the best garage bands out there right now. Over all it was still a good set, and they remain one of my favorite local bands. After the Clutters short and fast set, Philadelphia's MONDO TOPLESS took the stage.
Just like Sleazefest last year, they totally commanded the entire audience's attention and got people up front and shakin' their ass. With Vox organs, rotating speakers and loud guitars, they plowed through about a 45-minute set of some of the rockinest and most powerful garage I've ever heard. They're very fun to watch as well. It's like watching siblings on stage with middle fingers flying, fun little slaps to the back of the head, and an occasional kick or two exchanged between the guitarist and the singer/organist. I bought their Get Hip release "Go Fast" at the show last night so look for a fine review of that little slab-o-wax in the near future.
And now my faithful followers..........the WOGGLES!!!!!
The Professor and gang were at it again. The whole room was focused on the unmatchable energy on stage. It would be impossible for me to let on every detail of their incredible hour and a half set, but I can sure try to give you some highlights. With such a small stage and such a wild band, there's only one thing that can happen...they leave the stage and take over the floor!! Throughout the set, the Professor would take to the floor to sing to the ladies in the front or to get out amongst the Nashville drunks. On one song, Buzz and The Flesh Hammer joined him with some coordinated front-to-back steppin' in the middle of the club. These guys must have 40-foot cords. They were everywhere. On top of the monitors, out on the floor, on the bar, on tables, and Buzz even ventured down a glass case that ran along the side wall. It was once again one of the most amazing live shows I have ever seen....
The moral of the story is if you see the CLUTTERS, MONDO TOPLESS or the WOGGLES listed anywhere near you, go out and have some of the best fun you'll ever have! Oh yeah, and buy their records. The Clutters have a brand new 7" out on Wrecked 'Em which you can get from theClutters.com. Mondo Topless has a few records out that you can get at MondoTopless.com and the Woggles have a bazillion records out which you can check out at www.hostess.com/woggles.
VOLCANO, I'M STILL EXCITED w/ MIDNIGHT EVILS, THE BANG UP & PRABIR- Red Rose, Murfreesboro, TN, February 20, 2004: I know I usually wait about a month or so before I actually get down to writing these reviews, but I just couldn't wait for the details to cloud up in my brain before I babbled about the show I saw last night at the Rose. So for once, you get an on-time show review that is still very relevant and may actually help you to go out and see the band I'm talking about while they're still on tour! So the show starts out with a lone Prabir from Richmond, VA. He's apparently in a band, but their name escapes me at the moment. He does a pretty lengthy set of slow, mellow indie-pop songs with a few pretty good brit-pop songs that got my foot tappin. I wasn't really interested in his music, but I would find out later that he's a really cool guy and actually knows a lot of people that I know back in VA. Up next is the Bang Up who are a new group here in Murfreesboro with a lot of "buzz" about them. I was ready to hear what all the fuss was about and I was pretty optimistic knowing the guitarist, Lin, is into some really good music. I can't vouch for his bandmates, though. They are an odd bunch of fellas. I've seen the lead singer around town and he seems to know his stuff, but I didn't really picture his as the singer for a band called The Bang Up. The bass player is an ex-Straight Edge go beat the crap out of people guy who's all beefcake and has everything to prove. The drummer is a pretty unassuming fellow who lives down the street from me and is one of those guys who you say hello to when you see him, but don't quite recall his name. But, despite the odd choice of bandmates, I was really thinking they were gonna be good. They almost made my wishes come true when they opened their set with a pretty right on cover of the Dead Boys classic "Sonic Reducer." This made me run up front and get all excited. Well, that would prove to be the only shining moment of their set. I was not getting into their stuff at all... I feel bad for saying it, since I'm pretty good friends with the guitarist, but I was basically disappointed and let down by the Bang Up.
After the Bang Up's 20-minute slow jam, the band I was really there to see, the Midnight Evils, was rolling their gear towards the stage... I promptly bought a fresh tall boy Pabst from the bar and staked out my stomping grounds up front. Every one in the room was a virgin to the Evils' live show and most were virgins to the Evils as a whole. They plugged in, turned up and began to convert the ignorant Murfreesboro crowd! It didn't take long for the biggest crowd of the night to make their way up front and start pumping fists and banging heads... They must have plowed through about 12 songs in 20 minutes and had the out of breath crowd screaming with all they had left for more songs. This is the most energetic show this town has seen in a very VERY long time! A lot of people walked into that show not knowing what to expect and walked out with Midnight Evils merch in their hands, sweat on their brow and a huge ass smile on their face. They say they'll be back around sometime in the future, and I hope that's the truth....EVILS, this town needs you!
ok, so now for the next let-down part of the night. The Evils were done, everybody was all pumped up and rocked out and then Volcano, I'm Still Excited began to set up. It seems as though that band was named in pure irony, because as soon as they started playing, nobody was still excited. They were boring indie crap with a keyboard. If you feel the need to whine about your life in the suburbs with your keyboard, go ahead; but please keep it confined to your bedroom at your parents' house. Don't inflict your crap on others. I can't be too clever when I write about things that bore me so please forgive the poor writing on these segments..... ok, that's all..... Ronnie
