photo by tinyviking / click image for more
It’s really best to keep as many upcoming shows on your schedule as possible. You never know when you’re going to really need one.
Last weekend, I needed more than one, so it was a good thing I had back-to-back nights at the Hemlock. The ROTfest on Saturday was even more fulfilling than I had anticipated, but today I’m giving thanks for last night’s Japandroids show.
If ever there were a night to personally leech a band’s energy, it was last night. Japandroids are riding high on the glowing reception their debut album Post-Nothing has gotten, and were at the tail end of their first North American tour, with four days off before their homecoming (Vancouver, BC) gig. As guitarist/vocalist Brian King said, “Can I get as much of my own vocals in the monitor as possible without it feeding back? I feel like singing really loud.”
photo by tinyviking / click image for more
Highlights:
- Generous and earnest use of the phrase “rocking out” (as in, “You probably don’t know this next song. It’s a newer one. So I’m sorry; you’ll just have to enjoy the rocking out.”)
- Music that shot straight from the PA into the hearts of young men, who lost control of their bodies
- A cover of Big Black’s “Racer X”!
- King being unable to stop a torrent of cocky wisecracks, which is the sort of thing that happens to a young man when the whole world is revolving in his direction (I should say, however, that the cockiness was tempered with politeness. Thanks, Canada!)
They said they’d be back in town around November, so keep an eye out, pepples. You need this feeling.
Bonus points to enthusiastic local gentlemen Weekend for opening, bringing a band mom and her rockin’ friends, and printing up posters that sold for $5 until after the show, when they were handed out free in the spirit of co-rockinghood.
Download: Japandroids – Young Hearts Spark Fire from Post-Nothing (from Polyvinyl Records)
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There’s a hell of a lot to be said for recklessly blasting out songs about living in the moment at maximum volume. I’m hoarse and I can’t hear much today, and I’m pretty OK with that. For me, this was the show of the year (so far).
There have been a lot of opportunities to see great music this year, but that Japandroids show was like catching lightning in a bottle — conditions were perfect.