There are some qualities in a band that I look for: the songs and albums all sound unique and take from a variety of styles...each band member sings and plays a different instrument...the band opens up and jams a bit during live shows...also not afraid to throw in some covers...they interact jokingly with the crowd...and they all seem like genuinely good people. OK, those lst two are a bonus if you can get it.
You know what else is cool? When you share the same favorite baseball team as the band. I sported my Mets shirt for the Metro gig and even chatted up singer Ira Kaplan, who commended me for my choice in NY baseball teams.
For night two of YLT, the band tuned up, tuned in (sometimes out) and played for about two hours through a feedback-heavy show. I've rarely seen a band that can range among music styles but still manage to stay consist with their own unique sound. The setlist consisted of soft, whisper-like ballads to fuzzed out 10-minute jams that left the band twisting knobs, hitting wah wahs and making some godawfully great sounds on the organ.
A night before, the band joked about how their Spanish-inspired name relegated them to a spot in the Salsa section of the record store. At the Metro, I was convinced they could also fall under Blues, Punk, Indie, Hip Hop, Jazz, Motown and a yet-to-be-defined category. If I didn't know they were from Hoboken, I wouldn't have guessed it. Although you know a band's in a good state when they're still pushing boundaries 26 years in.
They carried through a setlist of old and new, up to the recent 'Popular Songs.' If you haven't had a listen, I'd encourage at least a few tracks off this album for the iPod.
Towards the end of the main set, they went on a fury of about 2-3 songs at hardcore punk pace, highlighted by a jaw-dropping version of 'Little Honda.' Instead of a little guitar solo, they created about eight minutes of feedback that would make Jimi blush and experimented with the fantastic sounds when you slide an electric guitar's strings on an amp. Then, right back into the final fuzzed verse. The crowd, I think amazed (never can tell with the Aussie audience). Me gusta mucha.
Ira thanked the crowd while alluding to another gig in town: a little outfit known as Australia's own AC/DC was playng at the massive ANZ Stadium. Keep the fireworks and power chords at Homebush, I'll take my invetive rock and furious feedback, thank you. Their homage to Oz was a familiar sounding tune, but when given an alternative rock twist, almost seemed foreign. I've included the track below. Now imagine a louder and (obviously) cooler version of this easy listening hit from '78, complete with roadies providing background vocals:
As for the actual band, here's a clip (really just audio) of another song they featured at the Metro. From the fabulouly titled (and written) album, 'I Am Not Afraid of You snd I Will Beat Your Ass.' Hearing a portly, curly haired and spectacled guitarist sing this was pretty special.
Oh, I found another good one from the show. These are the mellow ones, feedback for live ears only. Sorry for having to stare at album covers.
Defintely a top show from the last few years. The Metro seems to have that touch every so often. Next up, a reunited Pavement at the Enmore.
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