I have two firm beliefs when it comes to the whole concert going experience. First, the opening act is almost always worth seeing. Second, meeting musicians you like is a mixed bag. This show was a perfect example of both.
I must admit I went to this show with some big expectations. I saw The Long Winters last year at The Patio when they opened for Death Cab for Cutie. I think they put on a much better show than their headlining compatriots. I am also a big fan of the new Pernice Brothers disc "Yours, Mine and Ours" and have been told by pretty much everyone that I respect that they put on a great show. Keeping that in mind, this is what happened...
I was convinced that this show was going to sell out being as there were no presale tickets so Brie and I got there early. There were a good number of people, but not nearly what we expected. The first act, Pravada, I had never heard of before. They had no album at the merch table and I think they are local. Whoever they are, they put on a great high energy set. The vocals were mixed a little low, but the whole set was quality. The lead singer sported a look that was half British shoe-gazer and half Ben Folds, but it worked well. The rest of the band jumped around the stage and sang a lot of oohs, las, and ba-bas. I want to say they were Emo because of their look, but the style of play and lyric choice was a little too intelligent.
Next up was The Long Winters. This time they were missing Sean Nelson and were only a three piece. John Roderick put on his usual great performance with big glasses and was very personable after the set. The Long Winters made the Number Two spot on my Top Ten of 2003 list with their album When I Pretend to Fall. They did not disappoint. They played favorites like "Cinnamon", "Shapes", and "Scared Straight" as well as songs off the first album The Worst You Can Do Is Harm. These guys are always great and come highly recommended. If they come through your town make sure to check them out.
Article comments
1 - BEEz
I had a similar experience at a Pernice Bros. show in Iowa City, IA. They were really good (although for most of the show, the harmony vocals were skant). They played a great set, but then quit fairly early (half an hour earlier than most bands) with no encore. Still happy with my evening, I was waiting at the bar for a pitcher of beer when I saw Joe Pernice next to me and so I just casually said "nice show" to him. He did not reply, but rather, looked at me as if he was looking through me...it was a bit unsettling. I got the feeling that he was (is) a self-absorbed a-hole. That being said, I'd go see them again, and will continue to buy the albums as they come out. But, like Byron, there is a bit of a bitter aftertaste from that show.