Black Mountain @ Commodore -- 11/30/10

Black Mountain came home as the interestingly named "Dropout Boogie Tour" descended upon Vancouver for its first of two shows last night.

The Black Angels opened the night, who had a very much psychedelic rock sound and were a good choice for touring with Black Mountain. Though while they were a good band, musically, there wasn't very much by way of a live show. All their songs kind of blended together, and by the end of it, I found myself spacing out a little. Maybe it was just that I was over tired, but I was in a bit of a trance-like state by the end of their hour long set. They also didn't have very much by way of banter or stage presence, so that didn't help. It seemed like they were there, they played, they left. They were by no means bad, were quite talented musicians, just not very... exciting to watch live.

After that, I feared that maybe I was too tired for the late start -- it was past 11 when Black Mountain took the stage -- but after the taped chanting intro as the band took the stage, the opening burst of "Wilderness Hearts" let me know I would be enrapt the entire show. From there they just exploded with "Let Spirits Ride", and didn't look back. Every song was as grandiose as the last, as the perfect blend of Stephen McBean and Amber Webber's voices and McBean's insane guitar work filled both the explosive highs and intense lows of their songs with energy. The set balanced almost perfectly; "Tyrants" was a drawn out epic, "Sadie" brought the set down for a brief calm moment, before the one-two punch of "Druganaut" and "Stormy High" brought things to a chaotic crescendo.
There wasn't much by way of banter; the notoriously shy McBean didn't say much, just a couple thank you's, leaving most of the chatter to Weber and drummer Joshua Wells. But where they connected was the music, and their stage presence.
After the main set ended with "Don't Run Our Hearts Around" they came back out for the encore to play a pair; the fantastic "The Hair Song" and "No Hits", which saw The Black Angels join them on stage. There were, though, two disappointing omissions: no "Evil Ways" or "Bright Lights". Granted, the latter is a 16 minute epic, but it was still a little disappointing to not see.
Despite that, the band proved they have not lost their edge, rather sharpened and honed it to become one of the best Vancouver has to offer.

setlist:
Wilderness Hearts, Let Spirits Ride, Wucan, Tyrants, Buried By The Blues, Sadie, Angels, Druganaut, Stormy High, Old Fangs, Roller Coaster, Don't Run Our Hearts Around.
[encore] The Hair Song, No Hits.

Henry & The Nightcrawlers w/ Zach Gray & David Vertesi @ Billy Bishop Legion -- 11/27/10

Some of Vancouver's finest musicians came together at the Billy Bishop Legion Hall for the Record Release Party of Henry & The Nightcrawler's debut full length, 100 Blows.

The night started out with The Zolas' Zachary Gray playing a solo set. I wasn't actually sure what Tom-less Zolas songs would sound like, but I should have had more faith in Zach, as he was able to pull off the songs with his usual effortlessness. They were different, sure, but they were definitely not weird... or worse.
It was only a short set of half a dozen songs, and mostly Zolas songs, but he threw in a couple songs from his old band, Lotus Child, as well. I am woefully unfamiliar with Lotus Child, so those songs were cool to see. He ended with "Marlaina Kamikaze", which was probably the most different from the original, but also best song of the set. I also finally captured the new(ish) song "Guest" on video, after it getting perpetually stuck in my head every time I see it live. Not great video quality, but the audio is what matters.

setlist:
You're Too Cool, Guest, Coelacanth (LC), Gossip Diet (LC), The Great Collapse, Marlaina Kamikaze.

Second up was David Vertesi, and before he even started, the crowd was singing him a very off key but well meaning rendition of happy birthday. He was joined by David Joseph on bass (or sometimes keytar) playing from his debut solo album, Cardiography. His set was also just a handful of songs, but his smooth voice and charm got the crowd shoulder-shimmying along. Aside from his own songs, part way through the set he called up his Hey Ocean! bandmate Dave Beckingham for some help, only for the three Dave's (all in plaid) to be joined by Ashleigh Ball to play Hey Ocean!'s "Jolene". Another highlight of the set was "Hearts Don't Break, People Do" which, given the lyrics, would be strange to call heartbreaking, but the emotion that poured out from the song was palpable.
At the end of the set, he was surprised on stage by a cake, and another happy birthday singing.

setlist:
Gentlemen Say, Mountainside, Broadcasting, Jolene (HO!), Soft Skin, Hearts Don't Break People Do, All Night, All Night, All Night.

And finally, it was time for Henry & The Nightcrawlers. Tonight, the Nightcrawlers were to be played by Zach G on bass, with We Are The City's Andy & Cayne on drums & keys (respectively). That was the lineup that I last saw them as (making this the first time I've seen Henry play with the same backing band, interestingly enough) and the lineup that just finished a short tour. It was probably both of those factors that helped this be the best set I had seen from the band yet. The way each of them played off each other, both while performing and even stage banter, you could tell (even before Henry admitted it) that the four guys on stage were best friends. They played all of the new album, though not in order, with a couple highlights being "On A Week Night", which had a fantastic build to the ending, and "Amberly" with a slight lyrical adjustment, giving a mention to one Brenda Lee (the blogger, not the singer). 
After a brief mention of Billy Bishop, who the place they were playing in is named after, they played a cover of The Kinks' "Strangers", and "ended" the set with the title track to the album, "100 Blows".
I've always said I like encored better when they are short and consist of something special, either covers or jamming, not just a couple more regular songs -- those should be in the "main" set! -- so I quite enjoyed the one-song encore, which was a cover of Elliott Smith's "Needle In The Hay".

I should be used to it by now, but I never fail to be impressed with the music community that has been built in Vancouver. Tonight was another prime example of musicians from various bands who are willing to come together and support not just their follow musicians, but their friends.

setlist:
The Fight (La Lucha), Daytime Friend, The New Guy, The Fucking, On A Week Night, Amberly, Girl Drinks Red Wine In A Bathtub, Fan The Flames, Strangers [The Kinks cover], 100 Blows.
(encore) Needle In The Hay [Elliott Smith cover]

Grinderman @ Commodore -- 11/26/10

Disclaimer: I am a huge Nick Cave fan. I consider Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds one of my top four favourite bands. And in the seven or so years that I have been a fan, he has not once come to play a show in Vancouver. So when Grinderman -- a side project with Cave and Bad Seeds Warren Ellis, Martyn Casey and Jim Sclavunos -- announced the show at the Commodore, I was more than a little excited (as those who follow me on the Twitters witnessed. Repeatedly.) But despite my infinite enthusiasm, I was also a little wary. Had I built this up so much in my mind that there was no possibly way my expectations could be met? Nick Cave is, after all, only human (I suspect).

The opener was an interesting choice: Armen Ra. He came out on stage alone, introduced himself, then introduced the unusual instrument he was about to play, with a little background on it. That instrument? The theremin. I have no idea why, but I've always had a mild obsession with the theremin, so my interest was more than a little piqued. Even though I had seen the theremin played live a few times, it was mostly in the middle of a song, briefly, and played somewhat haphazardly. This, however, was nothing like that. It was quite incredible seeing someone that skilled actually playing it. His set consisted of playing over a recorded orchestra and/or piano, and with a couple of classical songs, like "Ave Maria". There were a couple hecklers, but for the most part the crowd was very into it and appreciative, and I was very impressed.

And then, it was time for Grinderman. They took the stage and launched into the opening track from their second album (appropriately titled Grinderman 2), "Mickey Mouse and the Goodbye Man" and it was immediately apparent I should have had earplugs; they were loud. From there they went into the new single "Worm Tamer" and played almost all of their two albums, over an hour and a half. "Get It On" somehow upped the intensity, and each song following managed to top the last, until half way through the set they brought it down for a moment with "What I Know". But there was hardly a moment to catch our breaths before "Honey Bee (Let's Fly To Mars)" exploded again. If repressed sexual energy and frustration was a music genre, Grinderman would be masters of it. With crass and tongue-in-cheek lyrics, the entire set seemed to build up to the climax, "No Pussy Blues". Cave manically spat out the lyrics, standing on the monitors, as the song erupted with overdriven guitars and chaotic drumming. They ended the main set, appropriately enough, with the final song from Grinderman 2, "Bellringer Blues", a more downbeat and slightly eerie song.

They made us work for the encore, coming back out a few minutes later for a few more. It was a little more tame -- or as tame as Grinderman can be -- starting with the somewhat sweet "Palaces of Montezuma". "Love Bomb" brought the energy back before they ended the night with their self titled song, "Grinderman", full of shakers and hissing, and building to an insane ending with Cave just attacking his guitar.

Cave has been making music for almost four decades, and he has both the experience to show it and the energy of younger musician. I have seen newer bands who have had a fraction of the amount of energy that Grinderman had -- especially Warren Ellis, but especially Cave. While there wasn't much by way of banter -- the usual "thank you's" as about it -- they built up the rapport with the crowd with Cave stalking the stage, going right up to the edge, crouching down and sometimes singing to the lucky people up front, even directing the lyrics to them. It was loud, it was frantic, it was full of raw energy. They were less a band and more a force of nature. My ears are still ringing, and as you may be able to tell from the clumsy attempts, I am having a hard time putting the experience into words. I have no doubt this will be among my shows of the year, and one I will not soon forget. It may not have been with The Bad Seeds, but finally seeing Nick Cave live means my life is that much closer to being complete.

Setlist

Mickey Mouse and the Goodbye Man, Worm Tamer, Get It On, Heathen Child, When My Baby Comes, What I Know, Honey Bee (Let's Fly To Mars), Kitchenette, No Pussy Blues, Bellringer Blues.

[encore] Palaces of Montezuma, When My Love Comes Down, Man On The Moon, Love Bomb, Grinderman.

Small Sins @ Media Club -- 11/25/10

It was a few years ago, when they were still called The Ladies & Gentlemen, that I first saw Small Sins live. They opened for Matthew Good and I was immediately hooked, especially with the one guy who had boundless energy. That "one guy" turned out to be Kevin Hilliard, who has his own persona as "The Clapper" and whose face adorns Small Sins merch, from t-shirts to foam hands. As much as Thomas D'Arcy is the band -- he recorded the first two albums himself -- Hilliard is a major factor for why their live show is so entertaining.
The band has been on a bit of a hiatus; their last album was in '07, and it was two years since I had seen them live. But those shows had always been great, and I enjoy the new album (the first recorded with the full band), so I was rather excited for the show.

Unfortunately we arrived just after the opening band, Lovers Love Haters ended, but just in time for Small Sins. They kicked off with the slower "My Dear", before bursting into "On The Line", and kept a great energy up through the entire set. They're one of those bands that you can just tell they are having a blast on stage, and that translates into an incredible energy. Especially Hilliard, who is one of the most energetic people I've seen play live. They bantered back and forth with each other as much as the crowd, but never making it those awkward in-joke that only the people on stage got. The enthusiasm showed by the band on stage was definitely infectious and had everyone in the half-full Media Club engaged.
They played mostly from the new album, but also a mix of older material. Even the acrid smell of smoke half way through didn't deter them as they got everyone in the room moving or clapping along. The main set ended with "Deja Vu", which was great live, but where k-os normally was in the song was just an instrumental full... which was a bit jarring.
They came back out for the encore, without D'Arcy, and Hilliard nailing his own version of Van Halen's "Jump", which was all sorts of cheesy-awesome. I've always been impressed with the Small Sins encores; they are one of the few bands I have seen do an actual encore, and even if the coming back was planned for this show, the songs they played were not, giving it a more genuine feeling rather than the usual practice of a band planning one. When D'Arcy came back, they discussed which songs to play and admitted to not knowing or screwing up some songs at previous shows. It gave it a really spontaneous quality to the encore. "Pot Calls Kettle Black" and a couple older ones closed out the show, and they prefaced "It's Easy" by saying it was the last time they would ever play it... then joked about how it was not the first time they had put the song into retirement, and that they had probably done so in Vancouver before. Then proclaimed it would only be played in Vancouver, and launched into it. At the start, Hilliard disappeared from stage, only to come back and have a synth-duel with D'Arcy. Who then left the stage himself, with his bass in the hands of a random dude pulled on stage, and let the self-admitted half-in-the-bag Hilliard go nuts, running into the crowd to play the end of the song.

It was definitely one of the most fun and entertaining shows of the year, and even though there was another show, with great bands, happening at the same time down the street, I do not for a minute regret choosing Small Sins over it. I just hope it isn't another two years before I see them again. And that more people will be able to share in the show.

Setlist:
My Dear, On The Line, Airport, On The Run, Stay, Never Again, Why Don't You Believe Me?, She's The Source, We Will Break Our Own Hearts, Too Much To Lose, I Need A Friend, What Your Baby's Been Doing, You Will Lie, Deja Vu.
[encore] Jump (Van Halen cover), Pot Calls Kettle Black, Threw It All Away, It's Easy.

Wil w/ Shaun Verreault @ Media Club -- 11/19/10

I am no stranger to seeing either Wil or Shaun Verreault live, and they're definitely no strangers to each other. I first discovered (and fell in love with, musically) Wil when he opened for Wide Mouth Mason, and I saw a pair of shows at UBC's Pit Pub with the two of them playing acoustically. So when I found out Shaun would be opening for Wil at his show at the Media Club, I was more than a little excited. Like those two previous shows, the two each came out to play acoustic sets. Or as Shaun put it: "Thanks for coming to see two men, naked on stage... holding wood."

Shaun Verreault, who you may know from Wide Mouth Mason, kicked off the night playing a set of his own material. Opening with "Too Much for Too Little", he covered material from both of his solo albums, as well as a brand new one written that day (as per a bet with Wil) and what I think was a new Wide Mouth Mason tune -- he prefaced it by saying the band will be recording, with Gordie Johnson on bass, soon. Verreault is a great storyteller in his songs, and that translates really well to his stage banter. He wove a few tales between songs, including the hilarious story of when he opened for the Beach Boys and had a bit of a verbal altercation with one of the members, who wasn't quite a fan of Shaun's set. He brought the set to an close with "Catch My Death", which was essentially a five minute guitar clinic. I always seem to forget just how incredible a musician Verreault is until I see him live, and he never fails to amaze me. I really hope I get the chance to see him perform again soon, and I really hope that the new Wide Mouth Mason incarnation, with Johnson, plays here soon as well.

And then there was Wil, who lived up to his reputation by breaking at least one, of not two, strings during the set. I've mentioned before how much I absolutely love watching Wil play live, and he was as good as ever. Like Shaun, his set was rather loose and intimate with a good amount of stories and joking between the songs. The size of the Media Club helped for sure, but a couple times he even played a song that was randomly yelled out from the crowd -- both older songs from his first album -- adding to the intimacy. Aside from those, he held up his end of the bet by playing a brand new song called "Angry Dog" and joked (I hope!) that it was so new it would never get played again. "Cooder Mountain" grew to an amazing intensity and "Honey Pie" -- one of my favourite songs -- was just mindblowing, as usual. After closing the set with the tender "Big Life" he came back out for one more, despite the mounting snow. The song was one that he has had for a while, but remains unreleased; I hope that changes soon, as it was quite good.

My only disappointment from the show was that they didn't jam together for the encore. The shows they played together both featured that, but not so much this time. Even if it were just for a song or two, it would have been cool to see. But despite that, both men put on amazing sets, and anyone who has the opportunity to see either one live would be a fool not to take it.

setlist:
Long Kiss Goodnight, Wedding Dress, Mama, Angry Dog, Both Hands, Cooder Mountain, The Deal, Honey Pie, Big Life.
[encore] Shipwreck.