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Ben Folds (SCRATCH THAT)--- Old 97's Concert Review
2005-05-06 21:37
by Scott Long

Last fall, I mentioned to Will Carroll that we ought to go to the Cake concert. We get down to the show and find out it is sold-out. Well, just 2 nights ago, we finally worked out our raincheck to go catch a concert together, only to find out that the Ben Folds performance was sold-out, as well. Now, you might ask, bonehead, why didn't you just buy them ahead of time. One word, Ticketmaster. Since I consider this organization in the same league as Hezbollah and Clay Aiken, I do whatever I can to not kick in the extra 7 bucks they extract from me for their "service". Much like Pearl Jam, though, I'm realizing it's a losing battle, so tomorrow I'm calling them when Pixies tickets go on sale, as I can't risk missing that show.

Well, since we were out of luck on the Ben Folds experience, I remembered that the Old 97's were in town, also, so I mentioned this to Will, hoping he would forgive me for dropping the ball twice. So we make the trek up there and catch the show, lucky to be able to have a quality band like this available to pinch hit. Now before you click off to find something more interesting, like the OBP of Colorado Rockies hitters at home vs. away (it's .895 to .652, so stay here)I promise this is more about the overall concert appearance than breaking down Philip Peeples' drumming skills.

The opening act was a group that seemed to be friends of the headliners. They were decent, except for the last song they did, which was the most kickass thing I heard all night. If you know who they are, tell me, as I'd like to download that song I spoke of. The rest of their performance was best described by Will, "as something he could hear by hundreds of bar bands across the country." One mistake the singer made was mentioning to the crowd between songs that "I'm not good at between song banter". Dude, unless you are writing like Bob Dylan or singing like Jeff Buckley, you better be able to do a little soft shoe and give your audience some pizzazz or it ain't going to happen on any large scale.

This is something that the Old 97's have, as it's frontman, Rhett Miller, just looks like a rock star. Will compared him to a "scout's perfect player", as he has all the tools. As good as the guy looks, he sings even better, as his voice is a perfect blend between British pop and Alt. Country. It's amazing that Miller on the surface tops Jeff Tweedy in just about all rock star categories, except songwriting (and Miller isn't too far behind there), but Tweedy sits on the cover of the magazines. I would suggest, after watching the show that Miller is held back by his band, where Tweedy just gets rid of people who stand in the way of his vision.

I'm not saying the Old 97's aren't an excellent band, but at least at the show I just witnessed, they were more interested in thrashing out some cow-punk, like they were backing the Reverend Horton Heat. Miller has such a great voice that this music just drowns out a lot of what makes him special. Also, co-founder and bassist, Murry Hammond was allowed to sing lead too many times. I respect the loyalty to your orignal bandmates, but Mick only lets Keith sing one song per show. I will say Hammond is an interesting guy to look at, as he's a physical mix of Stephen King, Ray Manzarek, and Jane Hathaway.

One thing that jumped out at me at this show, was that I wasn't the old guy. This generally happens at a lot of shows I go to, as I feel like some are looking at me like I must be a parent, who's designated driving.
Such is the life of the aging hipster.

Now let me offer a public service announcement to all readers, if you are at a live music show, dance appropriately! It seems to happen at every show I'm at, someone thinks they're attending a Dead show and they need to move in an arm swaying motion. This annoys me more than a 15 minute Patchouli flavored jam tune, so stop it. I swear that this kind of psychedelic movement is what created the initial slam dance.

At the start of this piece, I brought up the band Cake. On their first CD, they had a song that I always think about when I'm at a show.

Well, your CD collection looks shiny and costly.
How much did you pay for your bad Moto Guzi?
And how much did you spend on your black leather jacket?
Is it you or your parents in this income tax bracket?

Now tickets to concerts and drinking at clubs,
Sometimes for music that you haven't even heard of.
And how much did you pay for your rock'n'roll t-shirt
That proves you were there,
That you heard of them first?

How do you afford your rock'n'roll lifestyle?

This is a question for the ages.

Another classic moment in any show is when the opening band walks through the club, in the middle of the headliners set, looking for some random adulation and hopefully a hand-job in the tour bus/van. As a stand-up comedian, I understand this desire, though the difference is for comics the adulation is extremely random and the hand-jobs are in your car and consist of solo-manipulation.

One of my favorite happenings at the show was when the band announced they were doing a song from an obscure EP, which elicited crazed frenzy among two guys in the front, who jumped in stalkerish glee at the news. Note to superfan: Try to stay calm at this moment, as I know you are jubilant in getting this grand surprise, but it's frankly embarassing to watch a 35 year-old man bounce in the air like he's some pre-teen girl at an Aaron Carter concert.

The music world is one where you generally get only one chance to capitalize on your opportunity and it would appear that the Old 97's moment was during 1999 when they released "Fight Songs". Even 6 years later, the song "Murder of a Heart Attack" from this disc was the song that created the most energy from the audience. If you are interested in checking out the Old 97's, I would recommend that album and "Satellite Rides" as a good place to start. My favorite work that a member of the band is affiliated with is Rhett Miller's 2002 solo release, "The Instigator". Produced by Jon Brion, it just demonstrates how great Miller's talents are, as it fits a musical place somewhere between Ryan Adams and Jason Falkner.

Aging black leather and hospital bills,
Tattoo removal and dozens of pills.
Your liver pays dearly now for youthful magic moments,
But rock on completely with some brand new components.

How do you afford your rock'n'roll lifestyle?

When I get an answer, I will get back to you.

Comments
2005-05-07 01:21:40
1.   Gatts
Just had to login to confirm that yes, the Old 97's kick ass, and yes, Fight Songs is their best CD.
2005-05-07 06:27:49
2.   Blah Blah Blah
They do indeed, and I concur on Fight Songs, although I love Satellite Rides. I think Book of Poems and Rollerskate Skinny are as rockin' as it gets with them.
2005-05-07 08:16:34
3.   chaglang
Otis Gibbs was the opener, I think. Limewire is totally flummoxed by that search.

I bought Fight Songs a couple years back, and was fairly disappointed. It sounded pretty average - and I really like the Tupelo/Wilco/Jayhawks vein of music.

2005-05-07 08:42:11
4.   Cliff Corcoran
I have Fight Songs and Instigator and haven't gotten into either yet, but Satellite Rides is outstanding. Their new one ain't half bad either. That said, I just wanted to concur with Scott on the Old 97s live experience. Miller deserves a better band and less Hammond vocals. Then again, Instigator indicates to me that if the other 97s are holding Miller back on stage they're also saving him from himself in the studio.

So who was that opening act?

2005-05-07 09:19:59
5.   Smed
Actually, I didn't like Miller's so album as much as the Old 97's record. I guess I prefer my alt-country a bit ragged and on the edge, and his solo was too polished, I think, for what I wanted.
2005-05-07 09:45:03
6.   Scott Long
I knew I would risk the ire of serious fan's on my comment that Miller's solo disc is my fav., but I just felt it was the most consistent. My favorite Old 97's tune is "Nineteeen", which might be their most british invasion-sounding. I'm guessing the rest of the band isn't into that direction, as they didn't even perform this tune, despite it being one of the few songs they've ever had to get radio play. To give you more of where my ears are at, one of the best songs the band did all night, was a cover of the Kink's "Everything". I don't want Son Volt or the Jayhawks to do British Invasion, but when you have a voice like Miller's, I just prefer a mix of pop with my twang.
2005-05-07 11:27:23
7.   chaglang
On a semi-related note: Have you see the HP ad with the Kinks song "Picturebook"? My wife and I were completely sure it was Wilco when we first saw the ad. Great song.
2005-05-07 12:39:54
8.   Smed
I was so stoked when I heard "Picture Book". Perhaps they could make commericals of the entire "We Are The Village Green..." record. I'd love to direct the one for "Wicked Annabella".

Miller, I think can do twang and pop, which is probably why I don't mind he has a solo career. But stuff like "Timebomb", "Barrier Reef" and "W-I-F-E" are right up my alley and he's perfect for those things too!

2005-05-07 13:16:18
9.   Wrigleyviller
OK, Scott, you do know that Cake sucks, right?

Last week they came to my college, which is a tiny liberal arts school in Iowa. They were supposed to play an outdoor concert. They made it indoors, so not everyone could go see them. Their set sucked and they played half-assed. Also, their security and PR person freaked out when my friends from our school paper tried to take a picture of them because they had a prima donna issue - they didn't like photos after the third song. Some huge security guy actually punched a friend of mine - who is a girl.

Stand up band, that Cake is.

2005-05-07 15:08:10
10.   Formerly R
Wow, most Old 97 fans I know -- including me -- feel the band has yet to match the consistency and energy of Too Far To Care. Fight Songs and Satellite Rides have their moments, but are generally limp, spotty efforts. Whenever I've seen Old 97s live, the songs that get the best, most lively response are almost always Timebomb, Melt Show, Big Brown Eyes, and others from Too Far To Care. That stuff is the perfect blend of pop and alt.country with amazing energy and songwriting dynamics. Timebomb never fails to fire me up and make me smile. Unsurpassed.
2005-05-07 22:38:39
11.   graymate2000
Excuse me? Hezbollah and Clay Aiken? Where does that comparison come from? I suspect you're using Clay Aiken in order to have your comments read - can't think of another reason for such a comparison.
2005-05-07 23:12:21
12.   Scott Long
I don't understand the confusion, as Hezbollah and Clay Aiken are often spoken of in the same breath. One is a terrorist group and the other is the leader of one. (Clay Nation)

In regards to Cake that is a really interesting story. I saw a free concert on Direct TV by them, a couple months back and was not impressed. I love the band, overall, though, as their 2nd, 3rd, and 4th albums are great. I think they are one of those love'em or hate'em bands.

2005-05-08 07:42:27
13.   chaglang
The Hezbollah/Clay Aiken reference falls under "if you have to ask the question, you wouldn't understand the answer". Much like the Kinks and Facism.
2005-05-08 12:04:01
14.   Clive Clements
As a huge Old 97's fan, I'm with Formerly R on this one. IMO, Too Far to Care is by far their best, most consistent record, and (no offense), but I'd actually rank Fight Songs (though not a bad album) last on my Old 97's list. I got into the band after hearing Satellite Rides, so I do agree that that is a great album too.

As for Rhett's solo album, I like the songs, and I like Jon Brion, but I didn't like the final product. I much prefer Rhett w/ just a guitar on "Things that Disappear" and "The El."

I saw them twice in L.A. on their last two tours, and other than the songs that Formerly R mentioned, the others that are guaranteed to get everybody all Aaron Carter fangirl-ish are "Barrier Reef" and "Four Leaf Clover."

As for Murry's vocals - I think his leads sound better on record than live (which is why I wish that he'd only sing "Valentine" live), but his backing yodel is absolutely essential to the band's sound. While you probably make a valid point about the band holding back Rhett, the thing that I love about the band is that these are 4 friends who love making records and touring together.

Lastly, I'll never understand why this band hasn't gotten more mainstream acceptance.

2005-05-08 14:29:38
15.   Scott Long
If you haven't guessed, I'm a fan of the Old 97's, not a big or huge fan. Generally a huge fan will never like the group's biggest selling release. I know how this goes, as I feel this way about a couple of acts that I'm passionate about.
2005-05-08 15:27:08
16.   Clive Clements
Scott, sorry if I came off a bit harsh in my comment (especially since this is my first comment on on your blog), I didn't intend it to be like that, but after re-reading my comment, I think I came off a bit strong. I really did like your review of the concert, by the way - so true about the openers walking through the crowd and superfans going crazy over obscure stuff. And the Cake lyrics were a nice touch.

As for Fight Songs, I don't think it's a bad album, and I actually wasn't aware that it was their biggest selling album (I always assumed it was either Too Far to Care or Satellite Rides). Though I guess it makes sense now that I think about it, since the only song of theirs that I've heard on the radio is "Indefinitely." The lyrics are good as usual and a few of the songs are among my favorites, but I've got some issues with the production and the fuzzy distortion. That's just my opinion, though.

2005-05-08 16:03:33
17.   Smed
I wonder why a lot of bands didn't get mainstream recognition. Like, say, the Posies.

I can see why some bands I love, say Superchunk, don't crack the mainstream, but that's the mainstream's loss.

Meanwhile, a lot of goo and treacle get popular, as per normal. I think when Creed became big is when I just gave up.

2005-05-08 18:02:51
18.   deadteddy8
Longtime reader of The Juice, firsttime commenter... I had to comment because Cake is my favorite band out there, and Old97s are the band I'm most trying to get to know right now. I got hooked when I heard an acoustic version of "Designs on You" that I ended up playing on my college radio show a LOT.
You noticed the odd dancers, but I've got a question: Were there any moshers? My biggest pet peeve at concerts are the Dudes Who Are Inappropriately Moshing. Worst-case example I've experienced was at a Cardigans show. No joke.
2005-05-08 19:27:55
19.   Scott Long
Clive and deadteddy8 (are there seven other ones) I appreciate you guys joining in on the discussion. Clive, didn't think you were too over the top., When you are a huge fan, you have a better understanding of the band, so I took as that. Deadteddy, what school do you go to and how long have you had a radio show. Were they moshing to the Cardigans cover of Iron Man?

Oh and Wrigleyviller, what school in Iowa do you go to. Curious.

2005-05-08 21:01:43
20.   chris in illinois
Ahhhhhhhhhhhh......the Posies, Flavor of the Month.......
2005-05-08 22:15:46
21.   Dave D
Chris - you're right, the Posies are so-so but Sleep All Day is a jam.
2005-05-08 22:27:53
22.   Scott Long
I forgot to discuss the Posies comment. "Frosting on the Beater" is one of those like Jellyfish's releases that you wonder why it wasn't huge. I've liked all their stuff, but the first 2 releases were my favs. They were known as the wimp rockers of Seattle, during Grunge days, but hey, it's a big world and we need diversity, right?
2005-05-09 02:22:26
23.   Gatts
I'm really not a fan of Too Far To Care. I think it's all the energy.
2005-05-09 06:42:06
24.   Smed
That would be "Dream All Day"...and "Flavor of the Month" is another hella-song by the Posies, not a description of their work.

I liked the Amazing Disgrace record a lot too. "Ontario" is a hell of a song.

2005-05-09 06:42:48
25.   Smed
Oh, and that would be the second and third releases. They had a record on PopLlama that was called "Failure". It was Ok, but it was mostly duo stuff.
2005-05-09 08:12:24
26.   Scott Long
Smed Corrects!

I liked Amazing Grace as well and for some reason, Ontario chorus sticks into my mind, like few other songs. Overall though, the first 2 , I mean the second and third Posies releases are the best.

2005-05-09 08:49:28
27.   arbeck
I have to agree with much that was said about the old 97's. I have always thought though, that what kept Rhett from being much more popular than he is, is simply that he's too nice.

Ryan Adams kind of has that rock-star asshole persona. I think Rhett writes better songs and is just as pretty to look at it, but for some reason people seem to like that persona.

Jeff Tweedy has more of a tortured by demons persona going on. The drugs, migranes, band issues, etc just seem to making him more interesting.

That being said, I totally agree that the rest of the band is what is holding Rhett back. I've seen them live and I've seen Rhett's solo shows, and I have to say that the band that backed him in his solo gig played the Old 97's songs better than the real band did.

2005-05-09 08:57:43
28.   Scott Long
Thank you, arbeck. Someone who sees things the way I do. You are a friggin' genius.
2005-05-09 13:34:34
29.   deadteddy8
Scott, I'm currently in grad school at UC Santa Cruz. I did a country music radio show while I was an undergrad at New York University. Warning! Plug coming! I also worked on a sports talk show at WNYU, called the Cheap Seats, and some of my best friends still work on it (Mondays and Fridays, 7:30pm ET, wnyu.org). And the people moshing to the Cardigans were the folks who mosh to anything. During the singles, "Lovefool", "Been It", and... yup... during everything else.
2005-05-11 21:38:42
30.   chris in illinois
Smed,

I like the Posies---I wasn't commenting on their work, just being wistful over a favorite song of years gone by.

2005-05-30 14:36:45
31.   CarolinaTim
As someone who 'discovered' the 97's when they covered 'El Paso' on the 'King Of The Hill' soundtrack, I will confess to liking 'Too Far To Care' the best... with 'Satellite Rides' a close second. But I don't think they have a 'bad' album in their catalouge.

Anyway, I agree Rhett's solo effort sounded a bit overproduced, but the songwriting was great.

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