DC can dance!

Evidently DC folks can dance and move. Since moving here nearly four years ago, I have always wondered what it was about DC that kept people's feet planted and arms crossed at shows. Like the Rapture points out in this here song, 'people dont dance not more.' But DC proved me wrong last night at the 930 club, when the Ratatat came on stage.

As was the case with Modest Mouse, I was rather disapointed with the opener I caught, and took refuge in the back bar. I mentioned to my compadre at the show that my 'band' back in college was of similar quality and far more fun. Our deconstructions of sound and life would make your ears bleed with joy.

Moving on, Ratatat's set was quite good, and I must reinforce that they moved more people to dance that I have ever seen in DC, which I find to be remarkable. I think their unique blend of house and rock is just the right mix to get lots of people into it. Even the folks in the balconies were shakin' it.

I have to say that what does it for me is more the guitars than the thumping beats and awesome wacky samples. I am aware that describing a guitar as 'wailing' is about as over used as Jenna Jameson's nether regions (zing!) but it really seems to be the most apt description. The crowd exploded when the guitars cut in in MIrando (video below, about 1:10 in). It really was intense and it doesn't come accross that way in the video. Neither do the scathing solos or the intensity in their live show. It's easy to see why they sold out the show.

Their sound is just so overwhelming. I don't know how the few people that werent moving werent. I wanted to ask a girl a few feet to my left if she was ok. They also incorporate and amazing amount of sound into their stuff. They're the only guys I know of using harpsichord in music that would not be foreign to a dance club. I think that is what really sets them apart. There's a lot of creativity in what they do. They draw on a boatload of influences to make the music that they do, they play the shit out of it, and they back it with and incredible show.

These guys top the Black Keys and Dan Auerbach with their lighting, which is not an easy thing to do, and match the Flaming Lips in the kick ass, off the wall, visuals to go with their show. From enourmous birds to nose-less faces mouthing the effects to old home movies of folks playing at the beach, theyve got some tripped out video going. This should give you some idea of the visual onslaught that accompanies the amazing wall of sound that is their live show.

Don't hesitate to see these guys live, and pick up an album. I find it to be great driving music, but is just as at home at your next party. And theres a depth that you can explore at home that just isnt accessable at a live gig.

Theres a video with this over here.

loud was the night

ok, so i was kind of lazy yesterday and never wrote this, but here goes.

Saturday night, the final evening of February, Dan Auerbach, Hacienda, and Those Darlins played down the street at the 930 club. i was wondering if he could possibly bring as much to the stage as he did in the fall as one half of the Black Keys. the answer is yes. but that comes later in this little ditty.

first of was Those Darlins. i had intentionally not looked into them before the show. i am familiar with Dan and Hacienda, so i wanted a surprise. that they were. when three girls came out on stage with strings slung round their necks, i admit i was very skeptical. ive seen the act before where a couple girls learn some basic chords and try to ride cute to success. i mean that candy apple hollow body was bigger than the body of the girl holding it. she quickly proved that she had the licks to play it. i was impressed. not surprising for Dan, he picked a lofi, solid band who is better live than the couple recordings i was able to dig up yesterday. at any rate they bring the best of Cash, Carter, Haggard, Kristopherson country and mix it with the best of Ramones, MC5, Black Lips gritty rock. and mix in the fact that they are most assuredly chicks with licks. they rock the fuck out and look damn good doing it. so yea, i dont mind pretty girls playing music, so long as they can play. and in that case, i not only am ok with it, i all out endorse it. go check these ladies out at SXSW or on their tour with Dan on the way.

now with the crowd sufficiently riled up, Hacienda made their entrance. ill spare you the comparisons that wont do them justice, and just say that they play a laid back style of rock. it will get your toes tapping at the very least. these guys from Texas can play and make me not hate Texas. as much. i just dont know what to say. polished but soulful. real, raw, and fully finished. check out some videos. dig the base line in 'she's got a hold on me.'

so by the time the two kick ass starter courses are through, ive got just the right amount of whiskey coursing though me. then, Dan comes out with Hacienda playing behind him. what could be better? i mean, if youre not familiar, then shame on you. i mean, in the Black Keys he has amassed a rather large following. their simple blues rock is killer. and Dan by himself is just as killer. the difference is that the blues rock is the jumping off point. 'i want some more' is just dirty and soulful and sweet. i want the kind of girl who falls for a song like this. falls hard. 'heartbroken in disrepair' has tones of psychedelia. you can feel a little Jimmy in there. at any rate, like the others who warmed up the stage, he for outplays his recordings in person. you cant waste money on seeing this cat live. plus, hes got a rad beard.

so between the whiskey, good company, and tunes that cant be beat, it was a great night. the only problem is that i got separated from a couple of my cohorts. normally, not a big deal, were all capable of taking care of ourselves. but they ran into the ladies that had stolen my marinated heart earlier in the evening. i was pissed when i got that text. i mean, im still kinda crushing on this girl. c'mon, just look at her.

like any good explosion...

i went to The Black Keys concert last night at the 930 club. its was awesome. like any good explosion, there was a great effusion of sound and light. it was everything i expected and more. i expected soulful ear scorching guitar, and it was so. i will have to put Dan Auerbach among the likes of Jack White and Augie of The Hard Lessons in terms of guitar playing. all three totally awesome in their abilities to coax and incredible amount of sounds and soul from six strings. its like they were made with the guitar in mind.

the percussion provided by Pat Carney was great too. typically simple, but a few of their songs end up all syncopated and off-beat at times only to return to where it began. sure, its not the most impressive thing i have ever seen, but the style of music isnt well suited to drum solos. solos, by the way, is a palindrome. Carney lays down the foundation for Auerbach to build upon, and in that respect, hes perfect.

so the music was kick ass. thats been established. but the stage set up was pretty sweet too. they had all sorts of nifty lights spraying the stage, crowd, and rafters with various patterns and colors through out the show. they also had some bright as shit lights that would flash like lightning when shit got real crazy and at times i had to close my eyes. it was like staring at the sun and i think thats the idea. it was a like an explosion of soul and rock. fucking sweet.

they also had this giant inflatable tire behind them. you know how some bands have big banners and stuff behind them, well they had this tire. i can only imagine that this was inspired by the Uniroyal tire on I-94 just outside Detroit. thats what i thought of as soon as i saw it. then, that is my hometown.

long story short, if you like rock music listen to the Black Keys. then see them live. afterwards your ears will ring and youll see stars. in such a good way. im still reeling from it.

the Buffalo Killers were the opening act. they were good, definitely skilled. not really my thing. its wierd how if you take the Keys, who im totally gay for right now, and tweak it a little bit, you end up with something that doesnt do it for me. take the keys and make them a little more metal, a little more Guns n Roses and a little bit Lead Zeppelin, and i just dont feel it. anyway, they did pique my appetite for what was to come with the Keys. and they were good, so if you like blues rock with a little metal twist, you should totally check them out.

now im all sleepy after sitting in meetings this morning, going on like 5 hrs sleep since i got home at like midnight, reliving the show last night, and half assedly doing my job. im so glad that pandora.com exists. the music the pump into our office is terrible, absolutely awful when compared to what i witnessed last night.

look out as i see Mr White with fellow Detroit native Brendan Benson in their band, the Raconteurs, on the 28th. that should be a good one, too. i saw them last summer with Bob Dylan, and that was great. this show is going to be at the 930 club, which holds maybe 2,000 rather than a stadium for 20,000, so it will be much more personal and generally awesome, especially since the Black Lips are opening, and ive got a growing appreciation for them lately.

i heart musics.