Though it is deadline and deadline has not been met (I'll have to change the marker board from Deadline 04 - DVP 02 to Deadline 05 - DVP 02), sigh, I had scheduled a bunch of shows to see right after deadline was supposed to be met and over. I went to a show at Stubb's BBQ, which is a great venue if it's outdoors under the Sydney Opera House type awning/pavillion. This one was a big outdoor show, and it was a sell-out. Normally, one of the privileges of being in "the press" is getting complimentary admission to these shows. At this show apparently 12 people were on the guest list for the support band (Thrice) and the headliner (Brand New)'s label (Interscope) only allowed for 2 people on this guest list. The poor publicist had to contact 10 of those 12 and say, "I'm sorry." This show was important enough not to blow off (in my estimation), even though I have work to do, so I went. I stood behind the wooden wall of the stage and listened as mewithoutYou held court. They finished their show with another rousing rendition of "Feed The Goat." Of course, it went over well, as it was a fantastic performance, building and building and then just exploding. I wish I could've seen the faces of new instant fans that beheld it.
Thrice went on next to loud approval from the audience. They played songs from their whole catalog, but I couldn't tell you which songs from The Alchemy Index were played, because it's one of those "still new" albums for me and I haven't memorized song titles yet. That time will come. They finished things up with a passionate performance of "The Earth Will Shake" that had the crowd singing along at loud volume levels. When they unloaded the equipment out back after their set, I noticed several "bars" that looked like 2" PVC pipe with tape all around it, or something else. Perhaps they had lights inside them that glowed brightly. They had enough to replicate prison walls (the "iron bars" they sing about). It was my only regret of not seeing the show visually. I don't know how they utilized these things.
That was Friday night. Last night I went to the big arena in town -- The Frank Erwin Special Events Center. It's an 18,000 seater where the University of Texas Longhorns basketball team plays. It was setup sideways to house a crowd of 7,000 for this show. I interviewed Shiny Toy Guns in their dressing room in the bowels of this place. It went really well. I found out things about this band that I never imagined. Then we saw the show, which Lovedrug started. They had a stuffed animal tiger on stage and something else lumpy next to it. It was a guy in a sleeping bag, taking a nap right in front of the drumset. Wow! Lovedrug sounded great. It was nice to see them sound "on" and bring their magic to a large (probably new) crowd. Good for them.
Shiny Toy Guns went on next and played a fun set that showed off singer Chad Petree's voice at full tilt. Loved the energy. Their drummer, Mikey Martin, was going for it all night, swinging his arms all over the place and hitting the drums hard. Carah Faye and keyboardist/bassist Jeremy Dawson traded places a lot between keyboard stand and solo mic stand. Their light show was well done. And one of Jeremy's comments about being addicted to smoke was spot on. They had the stage filled with fog for much of their set.
Yellowcard came on next and played a spirited set. Their funny stanced vocalist pretty much stood in one place the entire show, but you'd never accuse him of sitting still, as he really put out vocally from song to song. It was quite impressive how hard he and the band brought it.
All the bands talked about how this last night of the tour made them grateful for the experience and how happy they all were that somewhat local Blue October were ending it here in Austin, Texas. I came to this show not knowing many of their songs too well, and came away quite impressed. Their vocalist also brought it -- for the entire set. They reminded me quite a bit of The Call -- mixing some Americana style rock with their heartfelt lyrics.
I couldn't help but revel in joy at how many really good musical acts are out playing these days. Blue October must've gotten the invisible memo that demanded artists to "Pursue excellence, bring it full-on with each performance, let your voice soar with confidence, and pour your heart out in each song, making the audience believe that you care." It's such a joy to be able to witness so much good music. Blue October was a pleasant surprise and reminder of that current quality supply.
Hooray!
And tonight I get to go see The Almost and Paramore (at Stubb's). This should be good.