Jul 31
AndrewAlternative Rock, Electronic
Depeche Mode ripped through an impressive set during their Boston-area stop of the Tour of the Universe. The band, Martin Gore, Dave Gahan and Andy Fletcher plus two backing musicians, tore through a hits-heavy set drenched in dance grooves. They transformed their songs into club classics and it was a shame that the show wasn’t at a standing-room only venue. Instead, it was at the craptastic Comcast Center in Mansfield 20 miles south of Boston on a rainy, humid day with people crammed into their seats, bouncing along as best they could without whacking a person around them.
The stage was set in a wash of lights with an enormous disco ball mounted above the band that acted as a secondary projection screen. The images though, were more distracting than illuminating, especially in light of the pure sound that turned electronic classics like Policy of Truth and Enjoy the Silence into pulsing techno tracks. Gahan’s voice, which has never been that fluid, held up well. Though granted, he let the audience do the singing on the chorus of a song more than once (kind of a cheap trick, that is, but then he’s always taken some vocal breaks down their shows).
DM opened with three songs from the new album, In Chains, the sinister and superb Wrong and Hole to Feed. From there, they turned over the show to classic and current hits from the exceptional stripped-down version of the Gore-sung Home to one of DM’s best post-Violator tracks It’s No Good and their recent smash Precious. They closed the main set with Never Let Me Down Again and went way back for the encore with Stripped and Master and Servant.
Depeche Mode setlist
In Chains
Wrong
Hole To Feed
Walking In My Shoes
It’s No Good
A Question Of Time
Precious
Fly On The Windscreen
Little Soul
Home
Come Back
Policy Of Truth
In Your Room
I Feel You
Enjoy The Silence
Never Let Me Down Again
Encore
Stripped
Master And Servant
Strangelove
Encore 2
Personal Jesus
Jun 27
AndrewElectronic, New Wave
Burnt Fur’s second show in a month was in the seedy underbelly of the Cantab Lounge, a place optimistically referred to as the Club Bohemia. Burnt Fur nailed an hour long set with their signature mix of electronic beats and industrial edge. The band was brilliant, tackling the jangly new wave track Redux and the sound effects-heavy Pixelated Black with the same aplomb. It took a couple of songs to find their groove, but once it clicked with the track Warm All Day from their first LP release Unfurl , the energy levels shot through the ceiling.
Fronted by Scott Harrison, he managed to channel his inner Siouxsie Sioux even on a minuscule stage at the Cantab. The foursome traded off guitar duties during their set and sole female Jean Kennedy even took a vocal turn on a sublime cover of The Cure rarity The Upstairs Room. Rounded out by Ian St. Germain and Patrik Tirda, the band pays homage to their pop sensibilities on tracks like Radiate. But the real highlight of the evening was the triumphant new track, Reverie, slated for their upcoming EP release later this summer.
Burnt Fur setlist
Strange Vacation
Radiate
Warm All Day
Redux
Reverie
The Upstairs Room
Cats
Homage
Vitriol
Pixelated Black
May 27
AndrewElectronic, Goth, New Wave
Burnt Fur were awesome. Why they were playing at Ramrod, a leather bar, I don’t know (on recommendation of a DJ that works there if the stories are true.) The band found a credible vibe between the Cure (which they credited as an influence) and Siouxsie and the Banshees.
The entire set was polished, high energy songs that walked the fine line between punk and new wave. Songs like Warm All Day were at one end of the spectrum while a track like Cats was at the vast other end. But it all worked.
The band traded off instruments and vocal duties and far surpassed expectations in the decidedly un-Ramrod crowd. A cover of The Glove’s Orgy sealed the deal. A magnificent performance.
Mar 21
DaraElectronic, Techno
I LOVED it – reminded me of the sounds of the rave scene in Vegas in the late 90s – all spare electronic sound with the intense build-ups and break-downs of DJ Jean’s “The Launch” – seemed to just be one guy on a computer but the crowd was hyperkinetic like ants
Mar 20
DaraDance, Electronic, Gangsta Rap, Rap
she was the rapper I’d come to see (part of the British grime scene) and she wasn’t quite what I expected – I pictured a wannabe type gangster girl, more pretty than tough, but she was far more ‘legit’ than the two female rappers before her: small intense-looking white girl in baggy clothes, baseball cap, snarly rapping, etc. – you can’t help but be totally sucked into her world: Eminem-like phrasing and attitude, cockney accent, and total stage dynamism and mastery – lots of silly posturing but I loved her – she could rap fast and plays in interesting twists with her words and her voice – her DJ samples a lot, including American music, and can go from kooky noises to harder synth walls – am currently considering my rapper potential
Mar 20
DaraDance, Electronic, Pop, Rap
all-class sultry deep-voiced black girl rapping over groovy electronic big-bass DJ tracks – another bad ass – her music was harder and she was better than Amanda Blank – girl power begins to surge in the room
Mar 19
DaraElectronic, Pop
three girls with long lank brown hair on three keyboards in a row – standing and singing in little girl voices – about as exciting as you’d imagine – they weren’t bad but so innocent they made me feel dirty just looking at them
Mar 19
DaraElectronic, Pop, Reggae, Tribal
this band was a breath of fresh air after rock overload – tiny black boy with polo shirt and giant smile singing – another black boy with dreads, gapped teeth, and abercrombie-style clothes on ??? – silly white boy with plastic animals glued to his t-shirt and plastic sunglasses on the keyboard – they were electronic hipsters interlaced with warm authentic African touches – the singer was all positivity and would switch from African style hymns to reggae to pure pop – the first song sampled M.I.A. and I would say their sound is fairly comparable to hers – perhaps the best part of the band were the two black female dancers in rainbow-colored clothing – one was skinny but the big girl had all the moves and no shame – the crowd was all young awkward white hipster kids and, at one point, the big girl put her hands on the hips of a shy white girl in the front and made her move them – we agreed though that there’s something unsatisfying about a group without a single musician
Mar 19
DaraArt Rock, Electronic, House, Techno
I went from hating this band to adoring them: a lesson in the value of staying for an entire set – it was more keyboard hell: they had a whole network of them (4?) with 3 guys managing them – guitar and drums too – everybody had on those fluorescent plastic sunglasses the kids like – initial impressions: “like one of those clap bands… ambient electronic… yawn” – then they started looping in video game sounds and then they started sounding like The Unicorns (which is a good thing) – and then there was disco and wah wah – I don’t know enough about electronic music to say but there’s a certain deep wall of undertone screech they can do that I really like – suddenly they were The Chemical Brothers and I began to adore them – there were some authentic pounding club moments but they tended to emphasize the goofy rather than the intensity but the intensity was there – the interesting thing about them to me was that they were a mix of an electronic band and a band-band – additionally, the vocals were dissonant with the music in some ways (kind of an indie rock complaint style) but once I got up and started watching them it made more sense – they also put on a great stage show, throwing microphones in a call and response across the stage to each other…
Mar 19
DaraElectronic, Punk, Techno
sped-walk nearly two miles across town to make it to this band my littlest sister had recommended – arrived to find out they were only admitting badge people (SXSW caste system) – I slunk over to listen from the outside knowing there were few other venues in this part of town – I must have looked defeated because the doorman waved me over and admitted me without explanation – most packed show I’d been too and the crowd was jumping before the band even started… literally… four 20-somethings next to me jumped in tandem for twenty minutes before the band had started… they had to have been high but their enthusiasm was hilarious – Kim plays drums and Matt’s on the keyboard – I was a little shocked at this seemingly new genre of music that I was entirely oblivious to: electronic punk? – would call it synth punk but that would group them with my beloved bands that are dark and sleazy which is the polar opposite of Matt & Kim – they were cheerful and hyper to the point that I thought they might be a Christian rock band, especially with Kim’s creepy perma-grin and Matt’s feel-good messages to the crowd – the crowd was nuts over them, crowdsurfing, and I cocked my head at this generation who had grown up so immersed in electronics that this was the music that felt real to them – the crowd and the band were in perfect harmony
Mar 18
DaraElectronic, Indie Rock
Another instance of my distorted perspective of band popularity – I realized in the morning that not marking this band as my #1 for the day had been an oversight but I doubted that we’d even get in because they were so huge… … we were one of thirty people maybe on a distinctly uncrowded patio. Don’t know if it was the day, the time, or if I really have no sense of band status, in my own little world of total music access. Anyway, they were fantastic. They sounded less electronic live than they do recorded. They’re just high-quality textured indie rock with pleasingly quirky twists in the riffs and the vocals. The lead singer was endearing and enthusiastic with his one feather earring. The crowd was mostly young gay males but I think it was more a function of the neighborhood than the band, though the feather earring gives me pause. They ended with their HUGE HIT “Ghetto Ways.” Well, their #1 fan, at least, was very pleased.
Mar 18
DaraAlternative Rock, Blues, Comedy, Country, Electronic, Pop, R&B, Rap, Rock and Roll
We’re all bickering on a hot street: WomanInCharge on crutches and no cabs in sight. Two of us head off towards busier corners to find a taxi when what to our wondering eyes should appear, but an oddly shaped taxicab coming so near. We whooped, climbed in and shortly realized that this was no normal taxi. It was shaped like a big box, had a stripper’s pole and fluorescent lighting. Even better, there was an interactive jukebox-style touch screen with a wealth of music videos from the 70s to 00s to choose from. 3 to 4 TV screens allowed a clear view for every passenger. The kind of random magic that only happens during SXSW… or anytime of the year for the lucky few who know to call 512-626-TAXI.
Aug 22
DaraDance, Electronic, Goth, Industrial, Punk
this band exudes exactly the sort of smirking depravity and darkness that I like, the MySpace monologue that describes his upbringing and disposition simultaneously makes me roll my eyes and delights me, lots of homoeroticism, did I also mention that they were produced by Jay Reatard – the fourth musician out of all musicians from all times that I would marry without question, I was very disappointed that I missed both of their SXSW shows this spring, I was mildly disappointed that he turned out to be a curly-headed very cute clean child of age 23 tops which explains the shallowness of some of his lyrics but I prefer to believe it all masks glorious depths, he was accompanied by a keyboard wizard and a depraved-in-the-tacky-and-icky-way drummer, their best stuff in my opinion is the raging synth-punk heavy on the ominous organs, some of the recorded songs I’ve heard are reminiscent of Nine Inch Nails but generally they’re in line with a whole school of current bands like Lost Sounds, The Vanishing, and Destruction Unit, there was good variety in the songs and singing style – some less-synthy punk songs for example, lastly he voiced a desire to be picked up by a label so he could live in Hollywood which confirmed again an unattractive value system or a charming lack of indie-pretension
Jul 13
DaraAmbient, Britpop
reminded me why I love the shoegaze, with sweet melodies and escapism all wrapped up in fuzzy noise, she basically played songs and they were good but if I were to be a DJ I would mix and mesh a little bit more, something besides standing up there in my cowboy boots and silly dress
Jun 29
AndrewDance, Electronic, Pop
Whatever possessed Andy Bell to sign up for the True Colors Tour this year, show up in a track suit and sweat to the oldies (in this case, Erasure songs) is beyond me. Andy’s voice is usually heavenly but pitch problems and oddball set up gave the entire performance a work-out video feel from 1981. He looked out of shape and a bit winded as he danced, shimmied and jivved (including, lord save me, the Robot) in front of a generic True Colors back drop that covered the stage. For 30 minutes, it was just Andy doing the worst Erasure karaoke imaginable. The set included two tracks from his solo album Electric Blue and reworked Erasure hits heavy on the bpm.
Andy is reportedly working on a second solo album while Vince Clarke is touring for the Yazoo reunion. These were his first “solo” concerts (he did some dj-ing while promoting Electric Blue) but it ended up reminding me of when I sing Erasure songs in front of the mirror in my bathroom.
Cyndi Lauper came out and sang the duet Early Bird with him at the end of his set. The song was recorded last year before the 2007 True Colors Tour and was only released on two obscure albums, Storm Chaser (Erasure) and the True Colors 2007 Compilation cd. Cyndi’s voice was out of this world and she gamely shimmied up to Andy and pretended there was nothing strange about the whole thing.
Andy Bell setlist
Blue Savannah
Caught in a Spin
I Could Fall in Love with You
Chains of Love
Electric Blue
A Little Respect
O L’amour
Early Bird (with Cyndi Lauper)
Quicktime Clip of ‘Early Bird’ Andy Bell with Cyndi Lauper
Jun 11
DaraHip Hop, Trip Hop
good white boy hip-hop DJ with a nervous lack of stage presence, supposedly the local opener for many hip-hop shows according to the fool young one who hit on me and then asked me to buy him a drink
Feb 10
DaraBlues, Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Trance
the reason we actually came and they too were a top-notch band, more straightforward 70s rock with a healthy dose of blues, pleasing undertone of riff that suited them to the drone theme of the night, reminded me of my favorites The Black Keys, very unassuming attitudes
Feb 10
DaraAlt-Country, Hard Rock, Psychedelic, Trance
fantastic, a head-bobbing repetitive drone in keeping with the theme of the night, drone overlaid by alt-country and then could expand into wailing psychedelia, female lead singer in calico sack dress without a bit of makeup (all shiny health) had a marvelous little spooky voice that could comfort and disturb, the shaggy guitarist would add fantastic quirky vocal accompaniment that was strikingly similar to The Pink Mountaintops because come to find out he is their leader!, dark stoner music that is kindred to me and made me want to be a stoner
Feb 10
DaraBritpop, Hard Rock, Trance
shoegaze with Sabbath riffs, Kyuss and the Beta Band, as good as I remembered and so young, Asian girl on bass is too cool, found out later that on the Chronicle’s top local bands list, black boy in the audience paid tribute by falling to the ground and spasming at the end of the show
Jan 16
DaraAmbient, Prog Rock, Psychedelic
pleasant surprise because have had their CD courtesy of BestGirlfriend’s ExHusband for years and have always liked it, reminiscent of my personal gods: Godspeed You! Black Emperor, found their live show captivating though may have just been suiting my mood, baseball-hatted man crouched over his pedal steel and glancing at a laptop (the source of the undertone of wind and drone I guess) convinced me of the versatility of the pedal steel by making it whine and wail in ways very counter to last band, accompanied by a drummer who managed to make his slow slightly off-kilter tempo look intense, basically a more ambient version of the proggy psych-metal that I really enjoy, I spent the set daydreaming about the darkness that must inhabit these two men, they’re probably frat boys.
Jan 04
DaraAmbient, Hard Rock, Indie Rock, Psychedelic
fantastic, melodic droners in the tradition of Morphine and Beta Band with an undercurrent of Black Sabbath riffs and Tia Carrera depth, describe themselves as psychedelic – shoegazer – garage, sexy chick bassist, deceptively small-boy lead vocalist had powerful voice, maybe Brian Jonestown Massacre too
Aug 02
DaraAmbient, Thrash
Kyuss like but more thrash, drummer was cute with curly hair but lead vocalist distracted in his red sweatpants and red head sweat band and red wrist sweat bands
Jun 16
AndrewDance, Electronic, Pop
Erasure’s 45 minute set during the Boston stop on the True Colors Tour came near the tail end, just as the sun had set. Though the five hour equality lovefest was never dull, the timing of Erasure’s disco-tinged, non-stop rotation of familiar dance hits was a welcome boost of energy.
They stuck to their biggest U.S. hits, folding in three songs off the new album, including the set opening Sunday Girl. Backed by three singers, Andy Bell and Vince Clarke came out on stage in matching vintage Blondie t-shirts with the words “Platinum Blonde” on the front in silver glitter. Vince wore army fatigues over his shirt and a platinum blonde wig. Andy was the most casually dressed he had been in ages. He looked good, just as seriously sexy at 43 years old as he was when he auditioned for Vince Clarke in 1985.
They launched into a string a hits and never dipped into their catalogue past the 80’s except for songs from the new album including I Could Fall in Love with You, the lead single from Light at the End of the World, and Sucker for Love, a disco anthem off the new album.
Andy’s voice was in fine form, and the three background singers, fitted in black wigs, added a great texture to songs like Chains of Love and some gorgeous harmonies on Oh L’Amour. Andy paused before launching into Love to Hate You to show off his glittery pointy toe footwear. Vince strapped on a guitar for rousing singalongs A Little Respect and Sometimes. From the opening synth note to the bows at the end, the crowd was on their feet and stayed there. The only complaint, if there could even be one, is that the set was too brief.
Erasure Setlist
Sunday Girl
Blue Savannah
Drama
I Could Fall in Love with You
Chains of Love
Love to Hate You
Sucker for Love
A Little Respect
Sometimes
Oh L’Amour
Apr 24
DaraHouse, Modern Rock, Soul
they made my face smile mostly because they are indescribable, love them for the drone as in band above – they always make me think of New York diners and dark streets with car lights streaking, but they are more than that live – more black, some soul and some Seal though I won’t stand that by that, kind of a heavy rock band with a crooner singer, can’t describe them because they are that special
Apr 24
DaraArt Rock, New Wave, Tribal
fantastic, lead vocalist antics were very reminiscent of The Grates but she was a little older and stranger, Slits influenced with a droning and sometimes thumping bass drum throughout
Apr 15
DaraAmbient, Jazz, Modern Rock
free acoustic show that we had to arrive two hours early for, buzz made it exciting but the show was quite good, they were a little weird to me, homey . . . well acoustic I guess, bland lead singer with average voice, what was very special about them was their trumpets and the songs that were black Spanish magic
Jun 11
DaraHouse
was really excited—thinking he was world famous but thinking he’s probably from Austin, he was very qualified, the music lacked diversity but pulled the crowd, it was the closest to a rave that I’d been as far as music, interesting lights
Feb 28
DaraAmbient, New Wave
druggie electrician talking my ear off (and I gave him and his roommate my number—that woke me up a few times last night in disgust/terror) so couldn’t listen properly, but really liked them, lush, full, keyboard, many members, druggie kept comparing them to Joy Division
Jan 18
DaraTrip Hop
the DJs that are Everywhere in Austin, just dance spinners
Mar 13
DaraElectronic
Austin DJ—great but liked watching the three dancers better, club was dead because watching a DJ in a booth behind glass not the same as watching a band
Mar 11
DaraElectronic, Glam, Indie Rock
lead female rocker (shock of light brown highlight in bobbed hair—kind of a soccer mom), female guitarist with frizzy white hair, males are a blur, good
Mar 11
DaraElectronic
fellow math teacher at Mendez, little reclusive little strange, had mad amounts of CDs
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