<~~~~~ Cranky and it's only Weds…
No Death Cab Thread?
I never had much of an opinion one way or the other about Constitution Hall until last night. The sound seemed particularly bad from where I was (floor, near the back), especially for DCFC's "sonic wallpaper".
I thought both bands were great (missed the Cribs), but FF still wins out for me.
I thought both bands were great (missed the Cribs), but FF still wins out for me.
I remain unconverted regarding Franz Ferdinand. Catchy and energetic? Certainly. But there's nothing really distinct about them. They're just alright.
Death Cab, as always, was great, even though the set list was almost identical to last year's 9:30 show. Depth and complexity ahoy. That's what I like about 'em - every time you listen to them, you uncover another layer.
Random observation: I'm pretty sure Benny G. was wearing the exact same shirt last night as he did at the 9:30 show. I don't know what's weirder - the fact that it was the same shirt or the fact that I noticed.
Death Cab, as always, was great, even though the set list was almost identical to last year's 9:30 show. Depth and complexity ahoy. That's what I like about 'em - every time you listen to them, you uncover another layer.
Random observation: I'm pretty sure Benny G. was wearing the exact same shirt last night as he did at the 9:30 show. I don't know what's weirder - the fact that it was the same shirt or the fact that I noticed.
Who the hell is Benny G.?
Originally posted by Charlie Nakajima, Fired by Mascis:Isn't he that dude with all the hair….he plays the clarinet….
Who the hell is Benny G.?
It's this dude's brother…
<img src="http://www.entertainers.co.uk/images/lookalikes/ali-g-dean-taylor/ali-g-dean-taylor.jpg" alt=" - " />
<img src="http://www.entertainers.co.uk/images/lookalikes/ali-g-dean-taylor/ali-g-dean-taylor.jpg" alt=" - " />
Originally posted by Charlie Nakajima, Fired by Mascis:
Who the hell is Benny G.?
Sorry, I refer to Ben Gibbard as Benny G. Thought it would be pretty obvious, as he is Death Cab's lead singer and all. :p
Originally posted by kosmo vinyl:I've been censored by Big Brother.
<~~~~~ Cranky and it's only Weds…
Originally posted by jude376:yikes
Sorry, I refer to Ben Gibbard as Benny G.
Alright here I go.. I've never posted a concert review ever, but this is my honest unbiased take:
I went to the show hearing about both bands, never seeing either live. I liked FF and liked DCFC equally at the start.
FF completely blew me away. Their energy, stage presence, and how completely natural they were with each other and the audience was impressive. You could just tell that these guys were great entertainers.
When DCFC hit about their 3rd song I started getting bored and wanted FF to come out and play again. A lot of DCFC's songs sounded the same to me and besides the hits there was nothing to do but sit and quietly bop my head.
I enjoyed both bands. But I was entertained (which is what I think the point of going to a concert is) by FF much much more than DCFC and would pay the ticket price just to see FF again without DCFC.
Fun night overall at DAR. :)
I went to the show hearing about both bands, never seeing either live. I liked FF and liked DCFC equally at the start.
FF completely blew me away. Their energy, stage presence, and how completely natural they were with each other and the audience was impressive. You could just tell that these guys were great entertainers.
When DCFC hit about their 3rd song I started getting bored and wanted FF to come out and play again. A lot of DCFC's songs sounded the same to me and besides the hits there was nothing to do but sit and quietly bop my head.
I enjoyed both bands. But I was entertained (which is what I think the point of going to a concert is) by FF much much more than DCFC and would pay the ticket price just to see FF again without DCFC.
Fun night overall at DAR. :)
Washington, D.C.: So last night was the first time I've been in Constitution Hall since my high school graduation. Is Constitution Hall the worst venue for a rock concert just in the city, or in the entire country? That place just sucks the life out of bands. How is there not a real venue of that size in this city?
J. Freedom du Lac: Don't know if it's the worst in the entire country; I mean, I can name nearly a half-dozen college basketball gyms that oughtta be put out of their misery (and ours) as concert venues. And that's to say nothing of the various/sundry crappy clubs at which I've suffered through otherwise decent shows.
But yes, Constitution Hall is a bad, bad place for live music. Either the sound guys at the shows I've attended there are deaf, or, more likely, the acoustics in the room flat-out stink. (And, now that I've mentioned it, so did the guy sitting in Orchestra K, Seat 104 last night; the dude gave new meaning to that old bluegrass song, "Rank Stranger." Try not to eat a burrito the next time you go to a show, bubba. The rest of us would really appreciate it.)
Anyway, bad sound, and there's something unfriendly about the layout of the place. Then again, the Patriot Center ain't that much better.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2006/04/05/DI2006040502002.html
J. Freedom du Lac: Don't know if it's the worst in the entire country; I mean, I can name nearly a half-dozen college basketball gyms that oughtta be put out of their misery (and ours) as concert venues. And that's to say nothing of the various/sundry crappy clubs at which I've suffered through otherwise decent shows.
But yes, Constitution Hall is a bad, bad place for live music. Either the sound guys at the shows I've attended there are deaf, or, more likely, the acoustics in the room flat-out stink. (And, now that I've mentioned it, so did the guy sitting in Orchestra K, Seat 104 last night; the dude gave new meaning to that old bluegrass song, "Rank Stranger." Try not to eat a burrito the next time you go to a show, bubba. The rest of us would really appreciate it.)
Anyway, bad sound, and there's something unfriendly about the layout of the place. Then again, the Patriot Center ain't that much better.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2006/04/05/DI2006040502002.html
Unfortunately, a venue can seriously affect your opinion of a band - especially if you have never seen them live before or are not all that familiar with their material. This was my first time at DAR, and probably my last.
Originally posted by nkotb:I'm a casual fan. Have two albums (I like the Postal Service album better), seen them twice at 9:30 Club, not bothering with DAR because I'm not fond of the venue and I've seen them pretty recently, listen to the albums occasionally.
Do Death Cab have casual fans? Seems everyone that I know that cares absolutely ADORES them.
Excellent review, and I think your standards for a show are perfectly defined.
As for J. Freedom du Lac's call out to a guy in a specific seat, priceless.
As for J. Freedom du Lac's call out to a guy in a specific seat, priceless.
Originally posted by tiffson:
Alright here I go.. I've never posted a concert review ever, but this is my honest unbiased take:
….
I enjoyed both bands. But I was entertained (which is what I think the point of going to a concert is) by FF much much more than DCFC and would pay the ticket price just to see FF again without DCFC.
Fun night overall at DAR. :)
Excellent review, and I think your standards for a show are perfectly defined.Thank you! :D
However, "being entertained" can mean different things. Death Cab, by their nature, is not a band that's gonna tear down the house. Their music is quiet and contemplative (for the most part), and for that reason I don't expect them to send me into a rock n roll frenzy. I am quite content with my Death Cab-induced head bopping.
It's like what my mom says about the Beatles/Stones debate, "I'd rather listen to the Beatles, but I'd rather dance to the Rolling Stones." Point taken. (But the Beatles are still better.) :D
It's like what my mom says about the Beatles/Stones debate, "I'd rather listen to the Beatles, but I'd rather dance to the Rolling Stones." Point taken. (But the Beatles are still better.) :D
Concert was good, long, loud. Had a great seat in Box 12. The boxes are the only place to be at DAR … straight-on view, no heads in your way; good sound, primo.
As for the show … openers The Cribs were unimpressive 3-piece young Jam/Clash knockoff. Ended with your de rigeur guitar-feedback-rubbing on the amp, but the guitarist was no Townshend. Wasn't even a Weller …
Franz were really quite good .. very slick and tight; eventually unleashing an incredible sonic guitar assault. You couldn't help but twitch and bop along. "Take Me Out" was the only song I recognized and came mid-way thru the set; plenty of other good tunes followed. Good showmen, good band, with their own sound. Kinda like the Gang of Four on amphetamines.
Death Cab were great. Surprisingly peppy and perky and very creative, with band members swapping instruments with regularity. Lots of great-sounding songs; only a few of which I actually knew. But leader Ben Gibbard has a beautiful angelic voice and writes great words and music, well-played by the band, rising from a hush to cacophony. What's not to like? I definitely think they are on the road to the rock pantheon .. the REM of the '00s. And back in May 2000, I opened for them (at the Metro Cafe)! Kinda depressing thought, actually.
Plenty of girls in attendance. Mix danceability with sensitivity = girls.
Anybody got a set list they can post ??
As for the show … openers The Cribs were unimpressive 3-piece young Jam/Clash knockoff. Ended with your de rigeur guitar-feedback-rubbing on the amp, but the guitarist was no Townshend. Wasn't even a Weller …
Franz were really quite good .. very slick and tight; eventually unleashing an incredible sonic guitar assault. You couldn't help but twitch and bop along. "Take Me Out" was the only song I recognized and came mid-way thru the set; plenty of other good tunes followed. Good showmen, good band, with their own sound. Kinda like the Gang of Four on amphetamines.
Death Cab were great. Surprisingly peppy and perky and very creative, with band members swapping instruments with regularity. Lots of great-sounding songs; only a few of which I actually knew. But leader Ben Gibbard has a beautiful angelic voice and writes great words and music, well-played by the band, rising from a hush to cacophony. What's not to like? I definitely think they are on the road to the rock pantheon .. the REM of the '00s. And back in May 2000, I opened for them (at the Metro Cafe)! Kinda depressing thought, actually.
Plenty of girls in attendance. Mix danceability with sensitivity = girls.
Anybody got a set list they can post ??
Well, I've been skipping some concerts just because they were at the Constitution Hall.. still, I am not sure about what people are thinking at all when they are sitting down during a concert.. that is so unbelievable to me.
Whatever, I saw Death Cab one time and I didn't even know all of their records. I actually feared being bored to death, but they quite surprised me, they are much cooler live than on the record.
Whatever, I saw Death Cab one time and I didn't even know all of their records. I actually feared being bored to death, but they quite surprised me, they are much cooler live than on the record.
Originally posted by HomesickAlien:I don't really understand the obsession with standing the entire time for a band like DCFC. It's not like it's a huge dance party where everyone is rocking out and can't control themselves. Sometimes it's just nice to sit back, relax and listen.
still, I am not sure about what people are thinking at all when they are sitting down during a concert.. that is so unbelievable to me.
Originally posted by Bombay Chutney:I hear you. But I've been skipping a bunch of shows that I've wanted to go to at DAR as well lately, because it really ticks me too…I don't know. I may just be too used to the whole club thing/whatever, but I get really irritated when people sit. And whenever I sit and hear live music, I always sit there feeling very jittery and wanting to stand. And I refuse to be That Guy (you know…the only one in the place standing?!)…so it really…just…sucks…
Originally posted by HomesickAlien:I don't really understand the obsession with standing the entire time for a band like DCFC. It's not like it's a huge dance party where everyone is rocking out and can't control themselves. Sometimes it's just nice to sit back, relax and listen.
still, I am not sure about what people are thinking at all when they are sitting down during a concert.. that is so unbelievable to me.