Resolution Part A: Honor tradition. When LEGENDS come through town, don’t hesitate. Go directly to the show. Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200—spend it. When in doubt about money, remember how you felt after McCartney came and went and you weren’t there. Was it more mortifying or heartbreaking? Tough to tell, but now you know not to repeat that tragic error in judgment.
Resolution Part B: Seek and explore. Every month check out new local bands (top priority) as well as new national acts.
To that end, we took in First Avenue’s Best New Bands of 2009 showcase on Saturday, January 16, hoping to find a hidden gem or two. I found solid sounds, eclectic vibes, and enough curiosity to lure me back to more shows of a couple of the bands that played.
Peter Wolf Crier
It’s an interesting practice to listen to a band without looking at them—just at first—so as to not let appearances get in the way. (Would Kiss have more or less followers if this was common practice? Insane Clown Posse?) The first song was purely auditory for me, and I immediately was intrigued because I dig a band that can rock out on acoustic guitar, especially when it’s more aggressive than what their recorded tunes serve up. This two-piece went to town, showcasing some acoustic angst with a slight Jack White eerie flair. When I started watching the band I was thrown off by the frat boy-esque, white tee and button-up guitarist who played the entire show facing the side of the stage. The shoe-gazer movement had its hey day two decades ago, but I have a hunch the side-stage-gazers will be slow to catch on….
Red Pens
Ahhh….what’s cooler: chick bassists or drummers? Gotta love them both because they add something to the dynamic of a band that is simply impossible to achieve without having the token uterus on stage. A solid indie alt-rock band with a dollup of pop thrown in for good measure. Sounds like a new DQ treat.
The Afternoon DLight
Only listed as “special guests” on the bill, the crowd got a surprise from St. Cloud in the form of three high school boys, leaving the unsuspecting Joe Concert-Goer to wonder what exactly was going on. The trio launched into a one-song set, featuring their Jay-Z and Alicia Keyes parody, “Minnesota State of Mind”. By mid-song, the entire crowd was hooked. It doesn’t matter that you’re not quite on key when you come up with a comedic genius of a parody that pulls at purple and gold heartstrings, taking us back to our youth when we, too, had dreams of playing to the big crowds at First Ave. I especially liked their “Put your mittens in the air!” touch. Well done boys, well done.
The Twilight Hours
Cities 97’s Jason Nagel introduced these Twin Cities regulars, remarking that he’d seen them all on this stage, in various forms, a number of times. Haven’t we all? And don’t we all keep coming back for more? John Munson donned his standard stage attire, a suit that manages to look both “business” and “party”—the apparel version of a mullet, really, but decidedly more awesome—and the relatively new band took off into their set like the seasoned veterans that they are. Trip Shakespeare fans from the late 80s must be in seventh heaven: The Twilight Hours reek of TS’s influence, but lyrically, I much prefer The Twilight Hours, as Matt Wilson has noticeably matured as a writer. The best part of the night was their cover of Foreigner’s “Feels Like the First Time”. Way to dig out a classic! A nod to their on-stage feeling that night, no doubt.
All in all, it was a solid night of great local tunes and important musical finds, made better by the fact that I was able to swing by the Orpheum, avoid Ticketbastard fees, and purchase my ticket to Experience Hendrix. It’ll be one hell of a late winter including the Current’s Anniversary Party at First Ave, the MN Orchestra performing Zeppelin and Queen at Target Center, Evan Dando at the 400 Bar, and Experience Hendrix at the Orpheum.
Rock on.
-E
*HLP (Hetero Life Partner): (n.) modern term describing a friendship between two heterosexuals that are more than BFFs, less than related; more than close, less than inappropriately close. Always a packaged deal as the whole exceeds the sum of its parts.
No comments:
Post a Comment