the worst opener i have ever seen...

Maybe I'm too pretentious.

I just didn't understand Calvin Johnson last night. Figuring it was an act and that it was one giant joke, I accepted it. Yet, when he turned off the A/C and went on for an hour and a half, I never felt more nauseous in my life.

I've never had the urge to throw shit at an "artist," but I did last night. I almost wanted to ask for my money back, but was too afraid to seem like an elitist a-hole.

Did I miss the hidden cameras somewhere? If that's what's passing for art these days, then I can sell you some of my fingerpaintings.

I was a little annoyed, and the friend I was with almost left, but I guess it did not bother me so much because I kind of expected something different from these artists.

Maybe it's cuz I wasn't there to experience it firsthand, but that actually sounds pretty cool and something I'd be willing to tolerate if it's for artistic reasons. Shit, I've gone through many shows without AC anyways. But, I don't see how it's any different than Iggy Pop or Alan Vega's confrontational stage antics (jumping into the crowd, etc.), done in an attempt to break the barrier between the stage and the audience at concerts. It all comes down to the artist understanding that the state of mind and mood that the viewer/listener is in plays a huge factor in their overall evaluation of the performance.

I guess it all depends on whether the audience member sees a live show's potential in being performance art. Perhaps this Calvin Johnson fella didn't have the best of intentions, and maybe it even bordered on the side of self indulgence with contempt for the audience, but I think it's important to keep an open mind. Personally, I am always looking for an artist to leave any kind of impression on me, be it a good one or a bad one. Most of the time, what I read/see/hear leaves no impact whatsoever, but when something sticks with you, it makes it all worthwhile.

I thought this thread was going to be about Need New Body, who opened for Rilo Kiley/Arlo at Velvet Lounge.

for me, the most recent miserable excuses for opening bands were the eisley kiddies who opened for snow patrol, and sahara hotnights, hives openers, whom i have always found infinitely mediocre.

sahara hotnights, hives openers, whom i have always found infinitely mediocre

…but they're hot! :D Actually, I agree that the Hotnights don't have the best stage presence, but I do dig their records.

The worst I've seen would have to be the ex-models who opened for the YYY's at the Black Cat a year or so ago. Complete shit. I wouldn't even classify them as a band or what they were playing as music. I was suprised to see their work got good reviews from the indie media. Rubbish!

worst openers talk starts and ends with the demoliton dollrods. they opened for the blues explosion the first month the club was open in the new space. almost 9 years later and i still have nightmares.

another worse was when i went to see the lemonheads in '97 (i think?) and someone unknown band called matchbox 20 opened for them. as fucking awful then as ever.

Someone else shares this very same view.

Originally posted by BookerT:
worst openers talk starts and ends with the demoliton dollrods. they opened for the blues explosion the first month the club was open in the new space. almost 9 years later and i still have nightmares.

Originally posted by freddyadu:
Maybe I'm too pretentious.

I just didn't understand Calvin Johnson last night. Figuring it was an act and that it was one giant joke, I accepted it. Yet, when he turned off the A/C and went on for an hour and a half, I never felt more nauseous in my life.

I've never had the urge to throw shit at an "artist," but I did last night. I almost wanted to ask for my money back, but was too afraid to seem like an elitist a-hole.

Did I miss the hidden cameras somewhere? If that's what's passing for art these days, then I can sell you some of my fingerpaintings.

i liked calvin johnson's performance. everything aside from that story. but i thought the rest was pretty cool. and he explained why the AC was off–cause it was blaring at the ottobar the night before. i could see where he was coming from.
have you heard any of his other stuff from Beat Happening, Dub Narcotic Sound System, or the Halo Benders? he's a pretty interesting guy.

oh, I thought we were starting a list of the worst openers we'd ever seen. My vote goes to: The Belly opening for Badly Drawn Boy in 2001.

you know you loved The Belly.

My vote goes to the stupid robot kids[forget their name] who opened for Genitorturers and set their cardboard box costumes on fire.

Mindless Self Indulgence opening for Punk Rock Karaoke.

Originally posted by LonnieBeale:

sahara hotnights, hives openers, whom i have always found infinitely mediocre

…but they're hot! :D Actually, I agree that the Hotnights don't have the best stage presence, but I do dig their records.

The worst I've seen would have to be the ex-models who opened for the YYY's at the Black Cat a year or so ago. Complete shit. I wouldn't even classify them as a band or what they were playing as music. I was suprised to see their work got good reviews from the indie media. Rubbish!

you dig their records?!? with all that screeching and guitars that sound like ass?!?

Originally posted by twangirl:
My vote goes to the stupid robot kids[forget their name] who opened for Genitorturers and set their cardboard box costumes on fire.

Retard-O-Bot 3000

Originally posted by eddie:

Originally posted by twangirl:
My vote goes to the stupid robot kids[forget their name] who opened for Genitorturers and set their cardboard box costumes on fire.

Retard-O-Bot 3000

Yep. That stench of burning duct tape will forver be with me. And I couldn't see the whole thing because of the bass rig blocking my view.

you missed nothing Sir HC, Retard-O-Bot were truly terrible. I really can't understand why the Genitorturers wanted them on their tour.

There was a band that opened up a year or two ago for Goo Goo Dolls when they did a private show that was part fundraiser for Steny Hoyer, part fundraiser for Music in Schools. The band had a woman lead singer, and they were horrible. The lead singer went through at least 3 different wardrobe changes all being this wannabe Fredirick's of Hollywood garb. They did like 2 Fleetwood Mac covers, and then a song they wrote inspired by 9/11 called "1000 Angels."

Who were those 2 guys who opened for Tenacious D a couple years back?

Bandway. pretty killer…..

worst opener i've seen: Whirlwind Heat, for the White Stripes last year in London……."It's a good time to lie, It's a good time to diiiiiiiiie"