Ahhhhhh… this feels good. It is my final work day in a cube. On Monday I’m moving into my own office. I’m considering driving home to get the show flyers that adorned my bedroom for so many years, but come to think of it, mom striped them off the walls and painted the room. So I’m in need of some artwork for my office, because it is lacking serious flavor. Honestly, the new NYU Law building’s administrative offices have only one color; grey. The designers must have looked to Brazil for inspiration. There are many shades of grey, but its all grey. The carpets, the walls, my file cabinets, my desk, my lamp, my computer and even my chair are all grey. The office in need of a serious color injection, but I’ll probably just hang up my Ramones poster.
Today marks the end of an era. Since 2000 I’ve worked with the people in my office. A few have come and gone, but we are still the same core. My initial job was a student worker, but my need to stop the financial bleeding along with the departure of my superior opened the door for me as a full-time employee. Did the kid who used to play air guitar along to his Queen records envision this life style? Definitely not, but something has to pay the bills so I can play in the nighttime. Thankfully my boss, Margie, has championed me throughout the years. She guided me through these questionable years; an action which deserves my utmost appreciation.
Packing my desk is easier than expected. Though the new office has me totally psyched, I’m going to miss my frontline co-workers. Early morning conversations with my boy David and various scandalous talks with Lauren will be sorely missed. The recent “Shot Challenge” between co-workers may culminate tonight if the Hot Snakes don’t contact me soon, but hopefully it will sort itself out. So you know, I have to take a shot every time I say “Bitches.” My count is nearing 20.
Yesterday’s post work hours were filled with… guess what… more work! After some home cooked Japanese treats and an extremely difficult abstain from watching the first half of the O.C. (it was taped, so don’t give me any clues), I headed for the Bowery. On my way down there, I ran into Dan of Second Dan which is an Australian band that is making some New York appearances while Dan finishes some schooling. Keep a look out for their name in the coming months.
It’s been awhile since my last time through the Bowery, so it was great to catch up with all the security guys. Noah was working the door last night and made me pay double, which wasn’t cool, but I dealt. Del was hanging by his side with a solid buzz working. We decided to go sit at the balcony bar for a few where Jim was making the drinks. His buddy (maybe Andy) joined us as did Jin and DTL. Jin may have been the only person more psyched for the show than me. Dirty on Purpose started their set to a handful of people and by the end of it, the room was filling up. They kicked off the set with my favorite song, Monument which is an instrumental track DJ wrote. The song began with some haunting sounds from George’s guitar. They had the unique familiarity of whale calls or something that was immersed in water. These sounds mixed with the sporadic strobe of the stage lights made for a grandiose intro to one of the best songs in my heavy rotation.
There is something about Dirty on Purpose that is simply untouchable. They have it all. The songs are there, and even the new tunes (which George later told me aren’t new, but they are newish) have this undeniable authenticity. It’s nice to see five kids really care about what their producing rather than just writing a song built around one hook and rushing its release to make a few dollars, (only to be a footnote in most press outlets a year later). They played some of my favorites like (and forgive me if the names are wrong) Go Back to Sleep, Mind Blindness, All New Friends and Spider Eyes. A great aspect of the band is the delicate nature of all the vocalists. Some may misconstrue this as a lack of confidence, but even though each vocal part feels like it could fall off the map at any second, they are right on.
Let’s take a quick second to recognize George’s craft on his guitar. The kid must sleep with his guitar. The guy knows how to get exactly what he wants from his instrument. I was watching his finger tabbing while he was using the bow during a song. It’s an amazing sight. You must give it a look.
Another solid aspect to seeing DoP in a Grade A venue is the volume. They were turned way the fuck up and it wasn’t that ear bleeding wall of sound shit that makes you want to leave Sin-e. It made their music powerful. The volume forced the audience to not only hear the songs, but also feel them. I’m not talking about some drum and bass thumping in your chest. There was an emotional attachment to the songs. A seriousness that sometimes get lost when they play a more intimate venue. Last night I felt Dirty on Purpose, and let me tell you, they felt good (insert a perverse joke from Joe here).
While the Hidden Cameras hammered away at their circus pop that doesn’t turn me on, I sat upstairs with the kids from Dirty on Purpose. They are such a great make of people. Though I’ve yet to properly meet Erika, I can safely say they are the nicest band in the tri-state area. DJ clued me in on the fact that he regularly visits the blog which always makes me feel like a nerd, but thanks for reading. He told me this show was the first time he played his new homemade bass rig which sounded spot on. I had to ask Doug if he was holding back at all because he wasn’t pounding away at the kit, (except for the Spidereyes intro). He explained how the drums were really loud on stage, and I explained how it was merely an observation rather than a criticism. Joe seemed preoccupied, (being the only member to cash in on actually being in a band). George filled me in on the new lighting guy who had only been to a one practice before pulling off last night. DoP is fucking rad.
Along with the Arcade Fire, the hype train made a stop at the club last night. The Bowery was jammed with kids trying to see the Canadian boy (and one girl) wonders. The crowd included heaps of bloggers, tons of friends, the entire Bowery crew, David Byrne and David Bowie. Yes, that’s right. While we anxiously waited for The Arcade Fire to take the stage, Gigs and I were combing the balcony in the hopes of getting a glimpse at Mr. Bowie. In the same instance Gigs and I found him and squealed like school girls as we basked in his radiant cool. It was delicious as was the tequila shot Beach passed me during the set.
Speaking of the set (I’ve never seen Lucy and Danny so excited for a show), The Arcade Fire were good, but not great. They played all of my favorites and I dutifully sung along, but there was something missing. It was too quiet. The show reminded me of the snoozefest that was The Concretes CMJ show. Their energy and the bouncing around of the Napoleon Dynamite looking member brought it all together. Did they ask for it to be a comfortable volume? It wasn’t at the volume you fall asleep to, but it was at the volume just loud enough for homework. By the near end of their set, I was drunk so before an ass was made, my wobbly legs guided me home.
GO SEE THE HOT SNAKES TONIGHT @ THE BOWERY!!!
5 Comments:
I was lucky enough to scalp a ticket to the sold out Arcade Fire show at TT The Bears a couple nights ago and they we're fantastic. They didn't blast your ears off but they didn't need to, I don't think that's the kind of band they want to be (they're more diverse and interesting than that). Maybe they're not ready mentally or volume wise for the bigger venues, but they're gonna be there soon anyway given all the hype. Either way they we're great, even better than the Interpol live show I saw a couple nights ago in Providence.
!ghory
ghory, I totally agree, I also saw Arcade Fire and Interpol back to back last week and if someone asked me what the one best show I saw last week was...I would say...both of those. Cause I couldn't pick. I'm so Arcade Fire smitten.
And jay, what the hell, you move out of your cubicle and now you're too big and bad to update Let the good times Roll? You corporate sell-out!
don't get your dreadlocks in a bunch, you hippy. there is some adjustment needed. an update is in the works. take some downers and hold tight. and yeah, i agree with you don... the arcade fire may not be ready, but the music was right on. i just think it should fill the room. it should be loud enough to rock too.
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