Old 97's roll call

We saw the second band, a local band called the Speaks. The lead singer sang like he was trying to take a dump during the whole set. They did a new order cover that sounded like stp covering new order, and that's not a good thing. The crowd cheered more that they were finished than for any of their songs. You can sample just how bad they are by going to their website. www.thespeaks.com

Old 97's played a good mix of a total of 16 songs for 62 minutes. No doubt they'll play much longer at the 9:30 in Sept. Two new songs were in the mix. Ken's guitar was turned down way too low, and Murry's mike wasn't loud enough. But I can't really complain, I watched for free outside the gates.

We left after the Old 97's, as did quite a few others. Not sure why Eve 6 was the headliner. I had never even heard of them. Old 97's sold out the 9:30 last time they were here.

Rhett-
Which Old 97's record would you reckon is a good place to start?

My favorite is their third, Too Far to Care. I think the allmusic review sums it up best (below). The first two are more countryish, the 4th and 5th are more pop-rockish, this one split the gap perfectly.

Serving as the ideal apex between the Old 97's Texas twang and smart pop fascinations, Too Far to Care is instantly catchy and endearing; heartbreaking desert soul and punk-fueled swagger all at the same time. Chief songwriter Rhett Miller turns a phrase like a doorknob and opens doors to dusty barrooms and tattered bedrooms, both containing the same boozy characters in various states of emotional undress. The initial blast of "Timebomb" carries through the first three songs, relenting finally in the breathy croon of "Salome," accented warmly by bassist Murry Hammond's light harmonies and guitarist Ken Bethea's airy tremolo-heavy guitar. Other highlights include the high-speed chase of "Melt Show," the reckless surge of "House That Used to Be," and their confident re-recording of "Big Brown Eyes" (originally appearing on their 1995 album Wreck Your Life). Throughout the album, Miller's swooning howl aches with too many miles on the road and too many lonely nights, familiar topics to be sure but he still manages to tackle them like he invented heartache. The curse of Old 97's may be that country fans consider it too rock & roll, and rock fans can't get past the twang, but for those who dip both feet into these streams, it really doesn't get any better than this band and this album.

Originally posted by chaz:
Rhett-
Which Old 97's record would you reckon is a good place to start?

I watched for free outside the gates.

Was it set up the same as last year, with no place to sit except the hot pavement and no hiding from the sun until it completely sets? I remember paying to get into Everclear last year, just to end up watching from a shaded bench outside the fenced perimiter

I believe it was. We watched the show from outside, on the right, on the sidewalk adjacent to the National Gallery.

Last year, we watched GBV from outside ,left of the stage. That part was sealed off this year.

I wouldn't have minded paying the 5 bucks to get in, but the sight lines were actually much better outside of the pay area.

Originally posted by edbert:

I watched for free outside the gates.

Was it set up the same as last year, with no place to sit except the hot pavement and no hiding from the sun until it completely sets? I remember paying to get into Everclear last year, just to end up watching from a shaded bench outside the fenced perimiter

Old 97's will be on www.wfuv.org at 9 am thing morning.

anyone willing to post a setlist?

From another chatboard

Roller
Barrier
Lonely
Smokers
New Kid
Designs
Vict
Line
Doreen (great scream!)
Worst
King
W. Tx
Jag
Big
Murder
Time

pollstar is now listing the 97's for REcher on 9/25 and 9:30 club on 9/26. Opposite of their website.

thanks for the setlist :) . that is strange, about the mix up of dates. if it's true, it makes things a lot less convenient for those of us who are planning to travel to baltimore for the recher show.

You're welcome.

Really? Recher on a Saturday and 9:30 on a Sunday is the best possible situation for me, a Virginia dweller.

Originally posted by eilo97:
thanks for the setlist :) . that is strange, about the mix up of dates. if it's true, it makes things a lot less convenient for those of us who are planning to travel to baltimore for the recher show.

I hope the new dates are accurate – I got a wedding on the 25th!

would make sense to play Towson first, as they are headed southward on that leg of tour. Though it's not that much of a difference when you're talking length of the east coast.

Originally posted by Bagalicious Tangster:
I hope the new dates are accurate – I got a wedding on the 25th!

oops…was under the impression that it was friday and saturday! nevermind my complaints–seems like the pollstar version of the dates would be perfectly convenient.

The New West website is in agreement with pollstar.

Originally posted by eilo97:
oops…was under the impression that it was friday and saturday! nevermind my complaints–seems like the pollstar version of the dates would be perfectly convenient.

Did anyone else catch Fox's use of Old 97's songs during the All-Star game last night as they cut to commercials? Heard "W. TX Teardrops" and "Streets of Where I'm From", both off of Too Far To Care. They may have used more songs, I but we went to bed early.

Originally posted by Rhett Miller:
Did anyone else catch Fox's use of Old 97's songs during the All-Star game last night as they cut to commercials? Heard "W. TX Teardrops" and "Streets of Where I'm From", both off of Too Far To Care. They may have used more songs, I but we went to bed early.

yes I caught it, and was fairly sure you would catch it as well, I only watched the first inning so i could see the 3 cardinals hit, but i think i heard the song while checking the score later

I read that they also played "Barrier Reef" as well. Must have been after I snoozed.

just clearing up any remaining confusion about the recher and 9:30 dates:

09/25: Old 97's UPDATE
Recher Theatre - Baltimore, MD

09/26: Old 97's UPDATE
9:30 Club - Washington, D.C.

They've been playing this one on WOXY. Sounds like the Strokes.

Originally posted by Rhett Miller:
Smokers