Wrens Roll Call

Bags: I heard you yell "shut up" and I was SURE it was a forumite. The noise from all the yacking was unreal, but up front - where I'm sure many of their most devoted fans were - was very quiet. I thought the talking would die down after the opening acts; but it got worse.

I'm always wondering: who would spend money to come hear music and then TALK THRU THE WHOLE FUC*ING SHOW?

Originally posted by Suki:
Bags: I heard you yell "shut up" and I was SURE it was a forumite. The noise from all the yacking was unreal, but up front - where I'm sure many of their most devoted fans were - was very quiet. I thought the talking would die down after the opening acts; but it got worse.

I'm always wondering: who would spend money to come hear music and then TALK THRU THE WHOLE FUC*ING SHOW?

It was the same way for the Low/Pedro the Lion show. It got so bad it drowned out the band during the quieter songs.

I don't get it either – why not go downstairs to the Red Room if you want to socialize? If you're yapping that much, you can't be very interested in the band.

I agree that the backstage show was much better, but 90% of the reason for that was the absence from the backstage show of ALL THE SORRY MOTHERLOVERS WHO CAN"T SEEM TO SHUT THE FUCK UP.

People talk during shows all the time, but last night was the worst I can recall. The large number of people saying "Shhhhh" and "quiet" tells me that others found it unbearable as well.

The Wrens were sloppy, but I still love the music and find the band uniquely endearing. I get the sense that they realize that they are regular-guy late-30s nine-to-fivers who have the unique luxury of playing rock stars on the weekends. They seem to enjoy that role and enjoy playing – so more power to them.

I'd like to give a special shout-out (pun intended) to the girl who was a few feet behind me. You are the one with the Fran Drescher tonality to your voice, only with the volume amplified to 11. You're definitely single and will probably remain so for the rest of your wholly uninteresting life, as you are apparently so self-absorbed that you think everyone around you wants to hear about your shallow and vacuous existence, including all the details of your dinner at Red Sage and your $300 fashion accessories. Please move to SoHo or South Beach. Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200.

I only caught The Wrens, but that was intentional since I sat through Army of Me when they opened for McLusky (never again).
My experience pretty much echoes everyone here, thought the sound guy could have done a better job… but then again, maybe he couldn't have. I would say he should have just turned the volume up, but that might have just made it too loud at the front. It's shows like this one which makes me realize how much better a band sounds at the 9.30 club than the black cat.
Also, I'm guessing that all the talking was because of the number of fans who were a) there for Army of Me or b) had just come out cause it was a Friday night. The show was sold out and when I got there it was as packed as I've ever seen it, but by the times the Wrens were a few songs in to their set, there was a huge empty space at the back.
Really wish I had caught the backstage show.

Originally posted by Bags:
Does anyone know how this show compares to their December gig in Baltimore??

I wasn't at that show but Friday's was more like what they used to be like before the Meadowlands came out (minus the show being all Meadowlands songs but 2). Their Metro Cafe show a few years back was similar. They're sloppy but fun live.

I thought they were more on musically this time. I think Charles was out of shape voice and guitar-wise at the backstage show but this time he seemed more like his old self.

I'm also in agreement about the talkers. Do you guys think the place was packed more for the Wrens or was it local Army of Me fans? That might explain the noise if they were just sticking around to see the last band but didn't care about them.

I'm coming into this discussion a bit late. I had the same reaction as everyone else. The show was fun but plagued by sound problems (both from the stage and in the crowd). Two high points were my fave songs: Boys, You Won't and She Sends Kisses. I would have enjoyed the set more if the first two bands hadn't left such a bad taste in my mouth.

If I have to endure another Army of Me set, I'm not sure what I will do. Enough!! I know they are harmless, but it's just too painful to watch a band try so very hard and not achieve anything in their sound. I feel bad for them. (Plus those vocals grate on my nerves.)

And…what was with the adoring fans of the first band? The teenage girls in front were embarrassing themselves to such a degree that I actually had to go downstairs to escape their shrieks. ERGH. The band wasn't very good either.

*ranting complete*

the whole feeling the need to yack at show is really something. i witnessed people who paid $25 to see Marshall Crenshaw and Pat DiNizio play solo acoustic, only to carry on like they were hanging out in the rec room. Wish more people were like Peter Case who is known to shush people from the stage.

Going to a show and socializing is fine if you are at Dewey Beach or seeing some crappy bar band, but it should be different if it's a touring band that people are there specically to see.

Didn't see the Wrens but wanted to chime in on the gabfests that take place at shows. I'd thought it was a special element of DC shows but was somewhat gratified to see a Charlie Hunter show at Tonic in NYC almost drowned out by yaksters mostly talking about how much they knew about jazz. This reminded me of the hipster contigent yakking during last springs Shins shows about how much better they were last tour. Best time was M. Doughty at old Black Cat telling the crowd to shut the @#$% up and that DC was one of the worst places to play. One technique is to go to the offending gabsters, fart, and slowly walk away.

Originally posted by kosmo vinyl:
the whole feeling the need to yack at show is really something. i witnessed people who paid $25 to see Marshall Crenshaw and Pat DiNizio play solo acoustic, only to carry on like they were hanging out in the rec room. Wish more people were like Peter Case who is known to shush people from the stage.

mark kozelek is a good one at quieting a crowd. . .one time when touring with the painters, he stopped in the middle of a song and yelled: "do you mind? this is my fucking life!" he's not a pleasant person when upset.

i know that conor oberst used to do something similiar when he was just a whiny unknown with no talent. . oh wait. . scratch unknown.

Originally posted by Suki:
[QB] how BADDD is that ventilation system at BC? I'm burning all the clothes I had on last night..

Sorry for the lame commentary, but I had to chime in. It's bad. Look up sometime - only one, maybe two vents the same size made for a residence. I sat under one at a show when I couldn't breathe.

i was at the baltimore show in dec. and it was definately better. everytime the crowd would start to chatter someone would shoosh them and everyone would get quiet. it was amazing. it's so wonderful to be in a quiet room for the softer songs when you can tell that everyone is holding their breath. i didn't think the sound was too bad, but i was pretty close to front and center. there's a HUGE difference in sound when you move from different spots in the main room. and fyi, charles told me that they thought they were playing the backroom when they showed up. so no they're not getting big heads (that's more of a reply to a co-worker). as for the screwing around on stage and with the music, i like it. i'm a big fan, though, and i like to hear them go off. all around, i would give the b-more show a 10 and the bc show a 7.5.

I too am entering this conversation a little late.

I could not believe the noise of the crowd. I think they forgot they were at a concert and not some plain old bar.

The sound was awful. This has been a trend at other BC shows I've attended recently.

The Wrens were not as good as when they played backstage. I was really looking forward to seeing this show and was utterly disappointed in the performance.

Can't win 'em all, I suppose.