badly drawn boy or british sea power?

Originally posted by mankie:

Originally posted by J'Mal:
so how badly did it suck?

I think someone needs to accept the fact they're in the minority on this one….. :p

I'm sure your mom once said something like, "if everyone else wanted to go to a shitty concert, would you do it, too?"

Glad you liked it. If BDB makes a public apology for his crappier shows, like the one I saw, and vows to work on his issues, and if the ticket is free and I've got nothing else to do, I might see him again.

yep, that was my impression too. but she is talented, just not my genre

bdb was great. the best of the 3 times i've seen him at the 930.

i didn't know it was going to sell out though. luckily, we got tickets on the street, as did jadetree/pollard/hewhosenamestartswithm.

and i think the highlight was nearly having a throwdown with that drunk girl, getting her to finally shut up, who then after the first half, moved over to markie and poorlulu. where then markie nearly had a throwdown with her.

dumb drunk bitch she was. but i can laught at it now.

Originally posted by mankie:
like I said to lulu, a bit too much like Nora Jones without a piano.

Originally posted by markie:
So I wonder if everyone enjoyed BSP?

It was outstanding. I definitely thought they were better this time than when they opened for the Libertines. It was like the difference between an appetizer and the whole meal.

I'm kind of underwhelmed by the album, but I think they're an incredibly tight band in a live setting and the music sounds much much better. The guitarist is great and he's always got the thousand-yard stare going. But when did they draft Macauley Caulkin to play bass?

Glad to hear that BDB put on a decent show but sorry you weren't all that enamored, Markie. At least we all seemed to have a good night.

Mankie, I'm glad that you got out to a show again! Sorry that I again missed you. So close, yet so far. LOL.

The worst that I can say about British Sea Power is that they kicked ass!!! Great show! The energy level of the band was a tad bit more economical but the musicianhip was more focused. Believe me, there was no doubt that they delivered one fine performance. By the reactions and excitement of the crowd, yet another wonderful night out on the town.

I wholeheartedly agree that their performance is so much better than their recorded works. They are a very guitar driven band, which I love, but for some reason, it's not as apparent on the CDs.

Speaking of guitar bands, always great to see my boys Phaser again. But of course, you knew I'd say that. ;) They debuted a whole load of new songs. First time I've ever seen them use a set list, of which I got one. Can't interpret half of it though because it's written with those cryptic band titles and half of them are new songs. Another little note: for better or worse, they have a new drummer. In my opinion, he's competent enough but a tiny bit too in your face. Maybe I'm just missing Ritse too much. Wish that we could get them to play for Smackie's return.

To top my night off, I had great gig companions; Kurosawa and Bungle Bud who rocked along with me the whole night, front and center. Everyone around us seemed pretty cool, even the group of Brits :p who traveled all the way from the UK just to see BSP at the Black Cat. You've got to admit, it was a great formula.

One last laugh was had by me on my way home when I drove down U St. past the 9:30 block and spotted a wooly capped guy in a pee coat walking away with a group of others. No doubt where they were coming from.

jaguar you failed to mention that you turned another person onto the charms of phaser,me, whats that 21 fans thanks to you.
oh yes a big sorry to kurosawa for getting the setlist and then giving it to some grabby girl, i dont know what i was thinking,the look you gave me scared me :eek:

Originally posted by bungle bud:
jaguar you failed to mention that you turned another person onto the charms of phaser,me, whats that 21 fans thanks to you.

:D :D :D

Actually, it's much, much higher than that. The 20 were only the ones that I know for sure bought the CD.

My strangest connection is a friend from Chicester, England I made online because of Phaser who found out about them indirectly because of me. I had everyone on one board worked up about them and it spread to another board that I wasn't a part of. (Long story short.) She told me that everyone on her board (of another fine Mancunian musician, I might add) was going wild over them.

Been out of town since the BSP show, but I felt it was the best show I've seen this year… now that is only drawing from around 20, but hey, that is how I saw it. As for the album, I think it's a great album. The only fault I find is that they need a song or two like Beetroot or Insect life near the end of the album. But talk about smooth as glass. I agree with the person ranking this show better than the Libertines performance. Both were top notch, but this was the main course. Phaser was less than stellar I felt. Wasn't familiar with the "new" material, and it struck me as too slow. Everything had "sway" tempo. Life and illusion was terrible sounding from my spot.

POP MUSIC

Monday, November 10, 2003; Page C05

British Sea Power at Black Cat

Even for those who didn't know that British Sea Power was one of the U.K.'s most idiosyncratic contributions to American culture since Monty Python, it was clear something strange was coming on Friday night when the band's members appeared in military camouflage on a stage liberally decorated with . . . ferns.

Skeptics might wonder whether rockers in the guise of erudite Doughboys are just working a cheap gimmick, and whether they'd have the chops to deliver a solid live show. But BSP's long set at the Black Cat was an unforgettably fearless combination of showmanship and musical passion.

BSP's lead singer, who goes by the name of Yan, looked and sounded like a paranoid young David Bowie overdosing on caffeine. Behind his scampering, sultry vocals was a caterwauling, bass-heavy rhythm section with a masterful tightness that evoked the Pixies. Steering the way melodically was the guitarist, known only as Noble, who wore baggy white winter camouflage and an eerily blank expression as his guitar alternated between pretty, tuneful picking and the shriek of feverish, off-kilter chords.

Together BSP conjured up a hilarious onstage anarchy. Yan (gently) flogged fans in the front row with a huge fern branch, and occasionally swung from low ceiling pipes. At one point keyboardist Eamon, clad in a Russian fur hat, pranced through the audience pounding a marching drum.

Fortunately, these antics didn't distract from the music. BSP raced through crackling versions of songs drawn mostly from their lone LP – from the screechy ("Apologies to Insect Life") to the lilting ("Carrion") to the anthemic ("Remember Me."). British Sea Power may someday decline, but on this night it achieved something close to supremacy.

– Michael Crowley


Badly Drawn Boy at 9:30

Take away the between-songs banter, and Badly Drawn Boy – aka scruffy Brit-popper Damon Gough – could have wrapped up Friday's 9:30 club gig in 90 minutes flat. But Gough buttoning his lip is like Don Rickles going easy on the zingers. It just ain't gonna happen.

So during a very loose and ultimately likable show, the garrulous 34-year-old, alone onstage for most of the nearly three hours, riffed on such topics as the opening act's bosom, his hatred of Coldplay, his ever-present knit cap and his children.

"I'd appreciate it if you didn't applaud everything I say," BDB admonished the spirited, capacity crowd. "Just the choice cuts."

He eventually got around to singing a few tunes. BDB's prattling may get nasty, but his mixed-genre songs (think Bob Dylan doing the theme for a Japanese game show) prove that he's a softy at heart. Equally adept at piano and guitar – not to mention chain-smoking – Gough opened his set with a reggae version of the Jackson 5's "I Want You Back." Then, with a gruff voice straining to be sweet, he casually worked through most of his latest album, "Have You Fed the Fish?," which deals with the perils of being a rock star and a family man.

"You Were Right," a fantasy about turning down Madonna's advances but kindly "getting her tickets for what she needs," was a jaunty rag that wouldn't have been out of place on the back end of "Abbey Road." And the night's highlight, the acoustically gorgeous "What Is It Now?," detailed the mixed emotions surrounding the "surprise" birth of his son Oscar.

After getting a little choked up at song's end, BDB took a long drag on his cigarette and, reverting to form, told the hushed crowd, "Of course, we might have given him away if we didn't like the looks of him."

– Sean Daly

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A20568-2003Nov10.html

I thought it was a great show. The Cassettes were good enough that I'd see them again. Quirky but very catchy, and their stage 'look' was classic, especially the guy on the theremin. Phaser was great! And their disc is great! Good call on them. BSP was very good too, but my energy was waning since I'd been up for more than 24 hours at that point.

If there's a better deal for ten bucks, I don't know what it is.

Originally posted by Jaguär:

Originally posted by bungle bud:
jaguar you failed to mention that you turned another person onto the charms of phaser,me, whats that 21 fans thanks to you.

:D :D :D

Actually, it's much, much higher than that. The 20 were only the ones that I know for sure bought the CD.

As an FYI, you can put tht count at 21. Merely from your raves on the Board, Jag, I bought "Sway" at Amoeba records this weekend. Haven't listened to it yet – no CD player at my hotel, and I had my iPod, but I'll give a listen this week.

After about 5 glasses of Chiati and tons of garlic infused food at Bucca (wedding rehersal dinner)I looked at my watch and noticed that it was getting too late to try and make it to Black Cat to catch Phaser, which was the main reason I wanted to go in the first place. Thank god they are local and I can only hope they will play again soon.

I am luke warm on BSP after listening to thier album several times. It's good but nothing really seems to grab my attention on it. It sounds like the put on a great show! Hopefully they can come back after writing some new material.

BTW, did Phaser play Last Letter Home? Anybody get to talk to them and ask them how the new recordings are coming along??

Definitely a great show. Just the foliage and birds alone make me laugh, so I was bound to have a good time. Lots of energy from both the nand and crowd. Especially the last two songs. And you can't help but love the clothing and the straw crown on the bass player. I was pretty surprised at the devotion of the crowd. Clearly a lot of people were impressed at the Libertines show and returned for more BSP love. And I agree all around that BSP are much better live than on record.

I didn't find The Cassettes to be all that great -though I liked the one song where the guy jammed with the accordian (!). Otherwise, it didn't seem to work. Maybe with more practice they can work out the kinks.

And, as Jag mentioned, Phaser did play a lot of new material. I think I only knew 3 songs. I would say that the new stuff is a lot more accessible and simplistic. I enjoyed it.

And bungle bud, I was actually reaching to get the set list for you -Lol. I made the face because the girl was so grabby and practically knocked you over to get it. Nice to finally meet you, by the way.

P.S. That's a good review from WP.

Originally posted by Mongo:
I am luke warm on BSP after listening to thier album several times. It's good but nothing really seems to grab my attention on it. It sounds like the put on a great show! Hopefully they can come back after writing some new material.

There really is a substantial difference between their live sound and their recorded sound. The same material that sounds kind of flat on the disc sounds much more raw and powerful live. As Jaguar pointed out, the guitars are much stronger live, and I would add say that the drums are as well. It makes a huge difference.

Originally posted by ggwâ?¢:

Originally posted by Mongo:
I am luke warm on BSP after listening to thier album several times. It's good but nothing really seems to grab my attention on it. It sounds like the put on a great show! Hopefully they can come back after writing some new material.

There really is a substantial difference between their live sound and their recorded sound. The same material that sounds kind of flat on the disc sounds much more raw and powerful live. As Jaguar pointed out, the guitars are much stronger live, and I would add say that the drums are as well. It makes a huge difference.

That really doesn't make me feel any better for missing it :D I definitely have to see them next time they come around.

Thanks for the reviewss GGW.

So from that it sounds like you couldnt lose that night. Unusual for the paper…..

I have to say that I was disappointed by Phaser. I was really looking forward to seeing them, and I felt they just didn't deliver. And I can't even blame it on new stuff…I think that oftentimes the test of the quality of a band comes when you enjoy them even if you don't know their material. Much of it was too 'jammy' for me and with too many down-tempo songs…did not adequately get the crowd worked up for BSP's energy.

BSP put on a hell of a show. My only distraction was the couple in front of me that were grinding on each other (not even to the beat, mind you) and making out heavily for the entirety of the show. Sometimes I wonder how people like 'that' find their way into shows where the band doesn't have a hit song on the radio. To each his own, I suppose.

Not wholly familiar with all of Phaser's material, their songs grabbed my attention (despite the drab and dark setting). I'm not sure that it was the right opening band for BSP energywise, but I hope it wasn't a total loss for them. One of my friends is roomates with Paul, but I have yet to meet any of them. As for BSP, I liked the decor and quirkiness - that last song with the pounding on the drum stayed in my head for quite a while. I didn't have time to check the board beforehand so had no idea which board members were going, although I tried to keep an eye out from the little I've picked up.

BTW. Did anyone come up with a name for the instrumental piece BDB played and said he was open to ideas for a title??


I thought of "music for the test-card"

Originally posted by Sweetjoy:


BSP put on a hell of a show. My only distraction was the couple in front of me that were grinding on each other (not even to the beat, mind you) and making out heavily for the entirety of the show. Sometimes I wonder how people like 'that' find their way into shows where the band doesn't have a hit song on the radio. To each his own, I suppose.

As a participant in the drunken stomach-churning arrhythmic display witnessed by Sweetjoy, I hereby apologize to each and every audience member at the Black Cat. I know it’s small consolation, but the consequences of this grievous error in judgment were soon visited upon me in predictably unpleasant ways.