2008 reviews

We went to a lot of gigs in 2008, no really, a lot.......
We figure we will have been to 113 or 117 shows by the end of the year depending on whether we call CMJ a festival or not. Yes that's right that outrageous figure doesn't include SXSW!
About one very three days, not bad when you consider we both hold two very time consuming jobs (60 or so hours a week).
So its probably time to review highlights and bands who we saw for the first time or that impressed us and those that didn't.

2008 saw The Spinto band implode, releasing a mediocre second album and losing any energy that they had at the start of the year. We saw them in Philly in January and Boston in May then in October. Not a good situation.

We saw White Williams at The Middle East Upstairs in January, young and green, his album is spotty but has some good tracks, this one may burn out or mature and improve.

We saw Ra Ra Riot many times (6) in 2008, starting in February sometimes as a headliner other times supporting The Cribs, we never were disappointed and I love their album.

On the other hands The Virgins who we saw that night in February plus another support slot just bugged the hell out of me, file this under Vampire Weekend syndrome, over hyped and under talented, I loath this band.

Spear of Destiny, a blast of the past, Kirk Brandon still rocking good style so glad we got to see the show and a side note Kirk was a real nice guy.

Liars & No Age, well sometimes you have got to listen to what is popular locally, even when as in this case it just leaves you lost as to the appeal. Leave it as not for me.
Until later..........

So busy!

Well the Bearsuit gig was excellent, just as good as the venue was dreadful. so enthusiastic, so fun, so talented so under attended. We also got the dirt, why the dreaded deportation, well no work visas - oops - and a suitcase of capes and marching band outfits. three hours of interviews later they confessed and got sent back to the UK- too sad.
Ra Ra Riot came back to Boston and were rapturously received rewarding us with a new song- Yeah!
Frightened Rabbit hit the Middle East, but without their bass pedals and necessary leads for keyboards and laptop - oops. But playing a pared down set they still blew Spinto band off the stage with a rude Boston Audience leaving before Spintos came on stage. Spintos tried their best but just seemed demoralised - too sad.
Frightened Rabbit playing I Feel Better on Saturday night



coming up Yeasayer who always put on a good show, plus a rush trip down to catch the tail end of CMJ.
What are we seeing? or what do we hope to?
Sky Larkin play Friday for free at 3:45 (I SO want to see this band), Johnny Foreigner play either 7 or 8 that night at a free gig, feasibility low. The Insiders gig at Irving Plaza, who knows the schedule for that BUT we do get to see Late Of The Pier and the Whip. will we have time to run and see Scissors for Lefty at midnight - who knows but we can hope.
Saturday has a UNCMJ show that runs for 10 hours and includes Sky Larkin, Johnny Foreigner and cut Off your hands.
Oh and by Thursday we will have reached the 100 show mark for the year WITHOUT SXSW.
Too crazy!
But the absolute WORST news in a long time, it seems Dorian from The Long Blondes had a stroke in Summer - oh dear god!- and the Long Blondes have called it a day, crying all the way to my mp3 player to listen to Singles with tears in my eyes.

Long Blondes at Great Scott this summer

Wow - New doesnt have to compete with old

So on paper, i had a terrible conflict last night. Ra Ra Riot, bright newcomers at BU Vs Spear Of Destiny at The Middle East Upstairs.
But sometimes things just fall into place.
We started the night by getting our tickets for The Pigeon Detectives who play Great Scott march 10th. Be there or look really stupid and deaf.
Listen to a great song by them right now!
I'm not Sorry

Then after eating we managed to talk our way into the student only gig at BU Central.
The Virgins had decent music, decent beat but I took a real dislike to the lead singer. No charisma, no stage presence and no voice.
Had a talk to Ra Ra Riot to find they are supporting The Cribs in March except for Boston and NY, so we will see them in Houston, DC and Philly!
We only stayed for 20 minutes of Ra Ra Riot but during that time they played two new songs.
I just love to dance to this band so much.
So we ran out and drove across to the Middle East. Spear Of Destiny was on stage but only one song in. Then the fun started, Spear Of Destiny do great songs, Brandon is a god on the guitar and his voice is still amazing. We only got 35 minutes but we got Liberator, The Wheel, Rainmaker and Westworld amongst the others. Talk about bliss, tight beautiful numbers I just wished he had played for hours, I was totally entranced.
Afterwards he was generous to talk to me for a bit while I raved about how much I had enjoyed his show. I had always heard about the angry eddgy man, not last night, he was friendly and sweet. Of course the peck on my cheek may have slightly turned my head.
So total joyous music from two completely different times but both so good.

Bands I found in 2007

I started to ask myself who at this time last year I either didnt know or barely knew.
these bands if you dont know them I suggest you learn more about them.
The Wombats
Ra Ra Riot
The Twilight Sad
Frightened Rabbit
Good Shoes
GoodBooks
The Maccabees
Mumm-Ra
Foals
Winterkids
The Eames Era
Exit Clov
Bat For Lashes
Sergeant
Delorentos
Switches
Patrick Wolf

American Bands I actually like

Anyone I meet knows I am completely taken with UK music, like a few international bands and have a minimal tolerance for American music.
There are a few exceptions

The National
Scissors For Lefty
The Blood Arm
Every Move A Pictures
The Eames Era
Locksley
The Spinto Band
Cold War Kids
We Are Scientists
MC Lars
Ambulance LTD
Aberdeen City
Ra Ra Riot
The Little Ones
Tapes N'Tapes
Interpol
Be your Own Pet
The Dandy Warhols
Pixies (and spinoffs)

Ra Ra Riot

From the NME
Ra Ra Riot drummer found dead
John Pike's body found after air and sea search
03.Jun.07 9:07pm

The body of Ra Ra Riot drummer John Pike has been found.
Pike, 23, went missing after leaving a party in the early hours of Saturday morning.
The band played a show in Providence, RI on Friday night and afterwards attended the party in Fairhaven, MA. Pike left the party at 3am.
The search began on foot and by air yesterday around 4pm.
Pike's cell phone was later found in shallow water on a beach about half a mile from the house where the party took place, according to local Fire Chief Tim Francis.
This morning the search was extended, with divers searching the waters in the area.
The body was found around 4pm this afternoon (June 3) in seven feet of water in Buzzards Bay, about 200 yards from where his cell phone was discovered.

Ra Ra Riot are young, talented and should be going places. Having seen them support the Cribs twice last month, I couldn't have been more impressed. I probably was standing drinking beside this guy who has had his life truncated. Unreasonably as I really didn't know him, I feel affected and sad about this loss. He deserved more, R.I.P. is cliched but apt.