Wrens Roll Call

[Bartelby]

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...

[lily1]

what can you tell me about army of me? worth checking out? or just show up around midnight for the wrens?

[ggw]

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

[ttuamy]

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!!!

[Bartelby]

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!

[joz]

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.)

[lily1]

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?

[Bartelby]

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...)

[ratioci nation]

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.

[Bags]

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.

[Bartelby]

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?

[frostytheswami]

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.

[ggw]

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.

[joeavrage]

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.

[Chip Chanko]

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.