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=> GENERAL DISCUSSION => Topic started by: Bags on February 07, 2005, 06:32:00 pm
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Actually, I'm wondering if the Black Cat website lists when a show is sold out....
I've got plenty of tickets, but curious.
AND looking the hell forward to this show!!!
Pop Matters Concert Reviews[/i]
THE WRENS + THE CONSTANTINES
12 March 2004: Logan Square Auditorium â?? Chicago
by Timothy G. Merello
A self-styled rock writer I dare lose my street cred by admitting the following: I went to see the Wrens knowing little more than the hype around their Meadowlands release and its seven year gestation. The folklore went as far to tell me that Wrens were brilliant popsters nearly dumped into the dustbin of indie rock due to label disputes. But that's where my knowledge stopped. In truth, initially the opening act Constantines were the bigger draw.
Having lately found myself at shows like British Sea Power, the Walkmen, and the aforementioned Constantines, where the mad buzz of rock and roll was served with heaping helpings of fresh faced youthful exuberance, I was happy to see that the Wrens were a bunch of seasoned blokes still capable of bringing the noise.
While lead singer and bassist Kevin Whelan noodled some spacey organ fills, lead guitarist Charles Bissell chimed some high twangy riffs, tweaking and twiddling knobs. Was this the start of the show? The spacey, extemporaneous jam quickly led to a full-on adrenaline overdose as Whelan switched to bass and he and drummer Jerry Macdonnell kicked out a furious, frantic beat on which Bissell and rhythm guitarist Greg Whelan layered shards of screeching guitar. Whelan leapt about the stage, bouncing and pogoing with a frenzy, throttling his bass and mike stand while he screamed and sang feverishly.
I wondered: do the Wrens whip it like this every night? It was non-stop energy, pure passionate emotion backing up the hype surrounding the stories of pop masterstrokes. How could the audience not be but taken with the pure pandemonium of the Wrens as they bashed out big, bold, pogoing rock and roll?
Bissell's slanted, angular guitar riffs stamped "Per Second Second" with an artful flair while Whelan's rhythm guitar reverberated in echoing and eddying waves. Segueing to the rallying, anthemic "Everyone Chooses Sides", the Wrens continued their blazing auditory assault of thundering beats and earnest rhythms. Further feats of fury came with the buoyant new wavey group sing along of "Faster Gun" propelled by Bissell's sheets of guitar and Kevin Whelan's popping snapping bass.
One of the sweetest moments of the set came when drummer Macdonnell abandoned his kit to play the recorder on "Won't Get Too Far", where the mood became soft with the slow strum of the guitar, the gentle weep of the recorder and the lightly hushed harmony vocals.
I may have said it already, but let's reiterate: the Wrens are a refreshing site, a band of brothers joyously creating a world of pop and rock licks, tasty sweet and tangy. Let's hope we don't have to wait another seven years for their next opus. ***
The first time I saw the Constantines they were opening for fellow Canadians, the Weakerthans. That night I was duly impressed, convinced that the Constantines blend of proto punk, nervy and agitated rock and roll was in fact greater than the headliners buoyant power punk. Clearly the sea of people crowding the spacious junior high gym meets ballroom of the vintage Logan Square Auditorium held similar sentiments. The Constantines held court over what seemed like a hipster's spring dance or mixer as they blared blasts of stop time avant punk.
Despite the venues challenging acoustics, the radiance of the Constantines shone with its twin guitar skronk and strum, the nervy punch of the keyboards, the staccato drum assault and the bass heavy barrel rolls. Much ink has been spilled in efforts to compare the Constantines to Fugazi filtered through Springsteen. If pressed a listener could distill the spirits of Gang of Four and Wire on the careening guitar rhythms of "National Hum". Do you want to connect the dots to Joe Strummer? Easily done as lead singer Bryan Webb's husky, sandpaper growl rings with the former's righteous rancor.
Truthfully though, the comparisons render themselves moot as the sound is uniquely the Constantines', a sheer jolt of impassioned rock and roll cobbled together by a group of friends who relish the chance to bash their hearts out night after night for an audience thirsty for the deep draught of punk's elixir. Witness the bobbing heads and dancing bodies as the band roared through the beating, pulsing, and hypnotizing "Young Lions". There was a palpable buzz in the room as the boys threw themselves headlong into the maelstrom of their strangling guitar licks and fervent beats.
Whether it was the stop and start fuzz guitar of "Nighttime/Anytime" of the laconic, bluesy voodoo lurch of "Insectivora", the Constantines held the audience in rapt awe culminating with an inspired version of "Shine a Light". Here was a fever dream, a sweaty hallucinatory hiss of angry guitars, whirring organs, and bombastic drums. The music raged and roiled then dropped to a hum as every member of the band raised both hands into the air, punctuating the silence as soon the entire audience also raised their hands in unison, like some punk rock revival. Satisfied the Constantines then crashed back into the shouts and strums of "Shine a Light" leaving the crowd struck blind like Saul in the desert.
â?? 24 March 2004
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this just reminded me that you gave me my ticket at markie's party, I was happy to see that my ticket is still in my wallet
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I'm happy it's there as well! And thanks for the Meloy EP -- can't wait to listen (haven't had a chance yet, but will do today).
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See you there - I like the "seasoned blokes" description of the Wrens..and Army of Me is a very good group too. It could be a worldclass show at a downhome price - yeaaaa!
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i'll be there.
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bought tickets a week ago, it'll certainly be worth more than the $10
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I'm a-goin'.
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Anybody have a guess as to whether this will sell out or not?
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me and my crew will be there.
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my posse will be there, too!
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present
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Tickets are still available for this show. I know because I'm taking your collective word that it'll be a badass show.
I'll be at the there with some of the boys from my hockey team. Look for the guys in mullets quaffing Molson Golden. :)
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just gots me tickets. cant wait!
http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/15003A3282F52B65?brand=&artistid=954081&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=60 (http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/15003A3282F52B65?brand=&artistid=954081&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=60)
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I'm going, and I've managed to convince a few friends to come as well. Looking forward to it!
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Got mine! Will be there
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I'll be there as part of joz's crew.....
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Originally posted by nkotbie:
Anybody have a guess as to whether this will sell out or not?
any other guesses? i really don't want to pay ticketmaster charges if i can walk up tomorrow and get tix ....
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It's only a $3 service charge from ticketmaster.com. Are you willing to risk missing the show just to save $3? That's less than the cost of a beer.
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Originally posted by Bombay Chutney:
It's only a $3 service charge from ticketmaster.com. Are you willing to risk missing the show just to save $3? That's less than the cost of a beer.
very good point.
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I was considering going, but feel like crap and can't face a late night in a smoke filled room... anyone up for a pre De Novo Dahl confab?
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Originally posted by kosmo vinyl:
anyone up for a pre De Novo Dahl confab?
Do you mean before the DND show on Thursday, or tonight in lieu of the Wrens?
If Thursday, sure, if tonight -- no way! ;)
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i'm thinking thursday
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Originally posted by kosmo vinyl:
i'm thinking thursday
I'm in unless I have to work late...just pm or start a DND roll call thread!
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anybody want to guess what time the wrens go on tonight?
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my guess is between 12 and 12.30. Last black cat show I went to that had doors at 9:30 and 3 bands worked out that way.
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Originally posted by kcjones119:
my guess is between 12 and 12.30. Last black cat show I went to that had doors at 9:30 and 3 bands worked out that way.
doh! ok, thanks
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Originally posted by kosmo vinyl:
I was considering going, but feel like crap and can't face a late night in a smoke filled room... anyone up for a pre De Novo Dahl confab?
I'm in...Bringing some "talent" from balt. for next fri. night's De Novo Dahl show...
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Yeah, I was guessing 12:00 myself...
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Originally posted by Suki:
Originally posted by kosmo vinyl:
I was considering going, but feel like crap and can't face a late night in a smoke filled room... anyone up for a pre De Novo Dahl confab?
I'm in...Bringing some "talent" from balt. for next fri. night's De Novo Dahl show... [/b]
So confused...Do you mean next Thursday, Suki?
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not to be confused with the DND show in Baltimore on Saturday...
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Originally posted by El Tee:
Originally posted by Suki:
Originally posted by kosmo vinyl:
I was considering going, but feel like crap and can't face a late night in a smoke filled room... anyone up for a pre De Novo Dahl confab?
I'm in...Bringing some "talent" from balt. for next fri. night's De Novo Dahl show... [/b]
So confused...Do you mean next Thursday, Suki? [/b]
Yup, born under that 13th zodiac sign: Confusion...I meant next thurs. and talent coming on thurs. too...for DND show on 2/17...
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what can you tell me about army of me? worth checking out? or just show up around midnight for the wrens?
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Originally posted by lily1:
what can you tell me about army of me? worth checking out? or just show up around midnight for the wrens?
http://www.930.com/cgi-bin/ubb-cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=009180 (http://www.930.com/cgi-bin/ubb-cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=009180)
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i'm bringin a gang of people.
the express did an article on the show yesterday morning and made some funny comments about the opening bands.
it should be a good time!!!
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Originally posted by lily1:
what can you tell me about army of me? worth checking out? or just show up around midnight for the wrens?
Some board (bored?) members think they're horrible. I heard them twice over the past few months, and like them: upbeat, danceable rock by easy to look at guys...but then, at my age, you know about the hearing and eyesight...heh, heh. See you there!
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well, army of me was horrendous as promised. nasally vocals and boring tunes...they couldn't leave the stage soon enough for me.
the wrens were ok. was definitely expecting more as this was my first time seeing them live; i didn't think they played quite long enough either. by the time they went on, i was pretty tired seeing as i already had a full work day under my belt. less opener, more headliner.
did anyone else think the sound was terrible? (for the wrens set at least...i don't think the bad sound mixing was to blame for army of me.)
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what was it that you were expecting more of? energy? depth?
what time did the wrens go and for how long did they play? we obviously never made it. did it end up selling out?
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I caught all three acts: I still really like Army of Me; I don't find the vocals any more annoying than Interpol...or Echo and the Bunnymen; Joy Division, etc...it's a style. Personal taste: I think AOM have such great joy, energy and presence, it's contageous...(Yep, Lulu, he still wears that great jacket!)
I thought the first few songs of the Wrens were great, but then they DIED...just started screwing around up there as if they were at their own private party, and lost their momentum...maybe bad setlist strategy. Also, what's with all the feedback off their system? Isn't that garage band practice 101...???
I'm glad I went. For $10. it was interesting music and crowd - but whew - how BADDD is that ventilation system at BC? I'm burning all the clothes I had on last night...(they smell like they already caught on fire.) See you at Cartel tonight at DC9 (and 930 for opening acts...)
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The show last night was not nearly as good as last time. They did not have their shit together and their was an overwhelming roar of crowd chatter which only got louder when the band went into the louder parts. The backstage is more forgiving for a band that isnt quite as "smooth" shall we say. But they definitely had plenty of moments when they were. Just too many off parts. Luckily I was able to miss the openers.
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I agree with Ratio/pollard. I adore the Wrens, and I had a great time, but the backstage show was exponentially better. Also, I was astonished at how loud the crowd was -- which you could really hear because the Wrens have some lovely, quiet moments. I actually screamed out a few times "SHUT UP..." to no avail.
A few songs were great, but something about it all didn't fully add up. Still, a good show and one of the best ways to spend a Friday night. No complaints from me, but I am *so* happy I saw then their last time through town.
Does anyone know how this show compares to their December gig in Baltimore??
PS -- met two of the Wrens at the merch table during Army of Me. They're complete sweethearts.
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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*
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the whole feeling the need to yack at show is really something. i witnessed people who paid $25 to see Marshall Crenshaw and Pat DiNizio play solo acoustic, only to carry on like they were hanging out in the rec room. Wish more people were like Peter Case who is known to shush people from the stage.
Going to a show and socializing is fine if you are at Dewey Beach or seeing some crappy bar band, but it should be different if it's a touring band that people are there specically to see.
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Didn't see the Wrens but wanted to chime in on the gabfests that take place at shows. I'd thought it was a special element of DC shows but was somewhat gratified to see a Charlie Hunter show at Tonic in NYC almost drowned out by yaksters mostly talking about how much they knew about jazz. This reminded me of the hipster contigent yakking during last springs Shins shows about how much better they were last tour. Best time was M. Doughty at old Black Cat telling the crowd to shut the @#$% 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.