After seeing The Gaslight Anthem in March, I added them to the list of bands I'll never miss when they're in town, so as soon as a fall headliner was announced, I made arrangements to find my way there. The thing I've found about going to weeknight shows is that the crowd is always much cooler than on weekends, there's less high school kids trying to impress each other, and it's more like a bunch of friends. I met a couple really cool people from all over the tri-state area just waiting outside the venue. My friend and I even got a spot right on the barrier because we were pretty early. It was his first good show too, so the night was looking rather promising.
Then Ninja Gun took the stage. Oh what a horrible segue. They were actually really good, in context. I don't know if I'd go see them headline, but if my dad wanted something to do on a Saturday night and they were playing a bar, I'd be all over it. To reiterate that statement, they reminded me of something that would fit really well in a bar in a working man's town, just good times music, staying optimistic. That was the general atmosphere for everyone's sets.
The second band to play, The Loved Ones, came out and absolutely burned the stage up. I've seen a lot of bands live, and I've (over)used a lot of adjectives to try to give you some kind of sense of what they're like, but The Loved Ones are the first band that reminded me of real, good old rock stars. I've never seen a band have so much fun and sound so good, while simultaneously giving a great first impression. They also kept the optimism alive with smiles and similar subject matter. Dave Hause, the band's rhythm guitarist and vocalist, was all over the stage. I only wish I would've picked up one of their records on vinyl, or at the very least a t-shirt, to support such a good band and such great guys. I went home the next night and I've been listening to Build & Burn ever since. They're another band to add to that very same list I talked about two paragraphs ago.
Sometimes it takes seeing a band live for me to really appreciate their recorded output. Such is the case with Murder by Death. While I've had all of their full length albums in my library for quite a while, I never really got into it, but when they took the stage, they really changed my mind. It wasn't a particularly awe-inspiring performance, it didn't even seem like they were having that great of a night, they just came out and played, and left a majority of the crowd (including myself) quite satisfied. "Those Who Stayed," the set's instrumental closer, was particularly impressive, and left me wanting more. When I go to see bands that I adore headline, such is the case with Gaslight, I tend to get a bit anxious during the openers, especially the direct support, but Murder by Death kept me interested throughout their whole set. That's very commendable, and depending on the opening acts, I would even go see them headline.
set list:
Then Ninja Gun took the stage. Oh what a horrible segue. They were actually really good, in context. I don't know if I'd go see them headline, but if my dad wanted something to do on a Saturday night and they were playing a bar, I'd be all over it. To reiterate that statement, they reminded me of something that would fit really well in a bar in a working man's town, just good times music, staying optimistic. That was the general atmosphere for everyone's sets.
The second band to play, The Loved Ones, came out and absolutely burned the stage up. I've seen a lot of bands live, and I've (over)used a lot of adjectives to try to give you some kind of sense of what they're like, but The Loved Ones are the first band that reminded me of real, good old rock stars. I've never seen a band have so much fun and sound so good, while simultaneously giving a great first impression. They also kept the optimism alive with smiles and similar subject matter. Dave Hause, the band's rhythm guitarist and vocalist, was all over the stage. I only wish I would've picked up one of their records on vinyl, or at the very least a t-shirt, to support such a good band and such great guys. I went home the next night and I've been listening to Build & Burn ever since. They're another band to add to that very same list I talked about two paragraphs ago.
Sometimes it takes seeing a band live for me to really appreciate their recorded output. Such is the case with Murder by Death. While I've had all of their full length albums in my library for quite a while, I never really got into it, but when they took the stage, they really changed my mind. It wasn't a particularly awe-inspiring performance, it didn't even seem like they were having that great of a night, they just came out and played, and left a majority of the crowd (including myself) quite satisfied. "Those Who Stayed," the set's instrumental closer, was particularly impressive, and left me wanting more. When I go to see bands that I adore headline, such is the case with Gaslight, I tend to get a bit anxious during the openers, especially the direct support, but Murder by Death kept me interested throughout their whole set. That's very commendable, and depending on the opening acts, I would even go see them headline.
set list:
Sometimes the Line Walks You
'52 Ford
Ball and Chain
A Masters In Reverse Psychology
Ash
Steal Away
Steam Rising
Comin' Home
Organ Grinder
Brother
Until Morale Improves, The Beatings Will Continue
Those Who Stayed
The first time I saw Gaslight, I didn't even know the songs all that well, but it was still one of my favorite sets I'd seen. Knowing the songs definitely made it even better. Anything that I had to complain about last time was put in the past. The sound was unbelievable, and the whole band was having a great time (as usual). While the song choices were excellent, it was very similar to the spring tour's set lists. I wouldn't have minded a little bit of variation, but I left happy nonetheless.
set list:
High Lonesome
Casanova, Baby!
Old White Lincoln
Even Cowgirls Get the Blues
The '59 Sound
We Came to Dance
Film Noir
Miles Davis & The Cool
Meet Me By the River's Edge
Stand By Me/I'da Called You Woody, Joe
Angry Johnny & the Radio
Great Expectations
Here's Looking at You, Kid
The Backseat
encore:
Blue Jeans & White T-Shirts
Wherefore Art Thou, Elvis?
Drive
