Last night was top of the pops. With the prospect of crazy show on the horizon, I got back to my apartment and tried to relax. The only problem being that Home Improvement is the only show on at 5:30pm when all you rock is basic cable. It’s nearly impossible to lose your thoughts in the presence of the Tool Man so my relaxation period was not successful. Around 7pm I geared up for work at Webster and headed to the club. Gigs set me up at the front door to take care of the guest lists with the help of Anna, Gigs and Sarah who hung about during portions of the show. The shift went a lot smoother than expected and nearly everyone who came to the table got in the club. The show was running late because Arcade Fire and Final Fantasy didn’t get their gear to the club before 7:30pm due to an appearance on Conan O’Brien. The lineup got tossed around and Man Man took the duty of playing first. After hearing them from the first floor, I realized their record should get a little more attention from my stereo.
Following Man Man the bands did a bit of quick checking and eventually Final Fantasy took the stage. With nearly everyone in, my shift ended in time to get upstairs before The Arcade Fire took the stage. From the back of the room I text’d Dana and we cruised upstairs to grab a drink. The balcony was packed so we decided to join Gigs and Mia at the front of the room. We ran into Greg and Adam who were both hanging around the sound booth with Mark. There is a great spot in that club where you can get close without having to fight the sweaty masses, but on the flipside the sound isn’t 100% due to the positioning of the speakers.
As the six-piece (eight-piece live), Montreal based band took the stage, I couldn’t help but get excited. They truly looked more circus freak than indie rock. Dressed in garb that made them more 1920 than 2005, these imposing figures made me simle. There is the Napoleon Dynamite look alike that bounces around like a possessed soldier of rock banging on anything close to his sticks when he isn’t hammering on a bass. There is talented Regine who wears funny red knee highs and does cute yet obnoxious hand motions when singing lead. They had two violinists, (one of which I shared a brief moment with and need to ask for her hand in marriage). Leading this group of loveable misfits is lead singer and guitarist, Win, who is an imposing Lurch like figure who takes center stage throughout the course of the show. Couple these characters with the level of excitement expressed by all those on stage, and you have one solid rock show.
While Win opened the set with a bad joke about a dream where you wake up in your underwear made me think these guys deserve every second of their fame. In the matter of a year, they’ve gone from CMJ shows at the Mercury to a sold out Bowery show (with David Bowie and Byrne in attendance) to selling out Webster Hall and Irving Plaza on back to back evenings. A quick assent to the top hasn’t stopped these kids from flashing a bit of nervousness over the 1600 sets of eyes starring with great anticipation.
The Arcade Fire opened their set with the epic track Wake Up which I recently discovered is a favorite of our new Loose(r) Serkan. He’ll see it tonight and go ape shit. The passion these kids exude while forcing the harmonies out of their depths is awe inspiring. Dana took a second to point out Mr. Bowie nodding in approval from his perch in the balcony. As the band pushed through the next few songs including Neighborhood #2 (Laika) my eyes were transfixed on Tim Kingsbury (aka Napoleon’s little brother). They ripped into the energetic track when all of a sudden Kingsbury and Richard Parry adorned themselves in motorbike helmets and went completely nuts. The Arcade Fire is one of those bands who force audiences to have fun. Though the crowd seemed awfully quiet, I don’t think it was due to amazement more than any sort of disapproval.
After a couple more songs and a beer, Dana and I made our way to the back of the room were we met up with Beach, Daylen, Lucy and the extremely excited Tumblehawk. From this vantage point we were farther from the band, but the sound was 10 times better. There was also some amazing light work that was better viewed from the back. The backdrop was Webster's patented star wall, and it couldn’t have been more appropriate. They were off in their own little universe, protected by the metaphorical barrier between the artist and the onlooker. We bobbed and hop scotched around the crowded space while they closed out with Rebellion (Lies) and Neighborhood #3 (Power Out), (someone correct me if my ordering is off).
The set was phenomenal, but there were a few jams that still needed to be played. They were quickly coaxed back onstage for an encore consisting of the first jame off of their Merge debut, Neighborhood #1 (Tunnel), followed by the last jam on the same record, In the Backseat. Both songs were done masterfully. They ended their set with big thanks, but were once again lured back to the stage for a second encore. Win came right to the microphone and said, “We need to go home and learn more song.” He told another terrible joke about the band regarding a fire in the building, but thankfully this was overshadowed by another dusty nugget. This time they played Headlights Look Like Diamonds which is a track I’d never heard before, but one that was equally up to the task. It began with a Broken Social Scene style intro and then broke down into a southern barnyard boogie lead by the great duo pumping out the twang on their violins. As the song faded away, the band began marching off stage led by a beat Kingsbury was pounding out on a floor tom he lugged off stage.
The whole room was smiles. Goodbye hugs were shared before Dana and I took a cab back to our neighborhood. We got dropped off between apartments, and I strolled back to 186 just in time to catch the band on Conan. If Win was telling the truth at the show, The Arcade Fire was filling in for Maroon 5 who recently canceled, (thank Christ). They played Neighborhood #2 (Laika) and showed the same fever as they did at Webster. Believe the hype boys and girls. The Arcade Fire is outstanding. Deal with it.
*** In case your Wednesday evening doesn’t have too much party on the agenda, watch the State of the Union address by Captain Freedom at 9pm. If you aren’t hugging the toilet while he splashes his fear/democracy/religious rhetoric all over us, try playing this game. I don’t know what’s worse... The president’s speech or this clip, (NSFW; Don't watch if you have a stomach ache; Mom! Do not watch this clip!). Thanks to Sean and Billy.
*** In a shocking development, Dick Cheney recently nominated George Bush for this office if the current place holder kicks the bucket soon.
*** Thanks Jim. Thanks for keeping us informed as you once again cover bullshit music that doesn’t need press. Have you ever heard of taking a chance? Fuckin eh. Rock is dead? Get a fucking life.
*** What’s worse: A crack habit or a cracked out wife? Pete decides he’d like to live with both.
*** James, you broke my heart. I was hoping to shake your hand last night, but you didn’t show up. At least somebody loves you.
*** Tony Wilson doesn’t know when to say when. He is resurrecting Factory Records in the form of F4. Wilson’s roster consists of two artists who I’m sure you’ll be hearing about in the near future. Move over Mr. Murphy. The king hasn’t stepped down yet.
*** Duffman is feeling cheated. Oh yeah!
*** MTV is considered a ‘smut peddler'. It’s funny how it took this group until 2005 to realize this fact. I don’t hear them going after Desperate Housewives which features some of the best sexy sexy I’ve seen in awhile.
*** Mr. Malkmus has a big year in front of him. His third post-Pavement full-length is due in May and his wife is set to give birth in the near future.
*** Bloc Party is scheduled to hit our shores at the end of the month. With four chances to see them in NYC, you best not miss this tour. My only question is; what’s the deal with the ‘Happy Endings’ gig?
*** The Bravery must be doing something right. They recently scored an opening slot on the upcoming Ash tour. No New York dates; what the fuck is up with that?
*** I fucking hate everything you do. Hugs! Love from Jay.
7 Comments:
i have missed bowie far too many times. seriously.
glad you had a great time at the show! words cannot express my jealousy! and disdain for school! i take that back; poop it is, pure poop.
ASH:
4/17 NYC Bowery Ballroom
4/18 NYC Bowery Ballroom
on their website.
bidi, yes, mr. bowie was asking where you were. poop to higher education.
thanks to the anon who hooked up the Ash dates.
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