Back this weekend, Friday night I think it was, I saw a lovely little concert in downtown Hamilton, by a band called the Sadies. I'd heard of them in a limited way beforehand and listened to 'em a bit, but wasn't a huge expert (though look for my very hasty last-minute review of their newest album in the mcmaster silhouette...unless it sucked too much for their standards). The concert started a bit late (though the website said 9pm so we got there ridiculously early and got to hear the soundcheck fill the empty Underground).
The opener was some dude named Rick White or something like that. He was really skinny and had enormously long hair, and he played some nice quiet tunes on his guitar and sang. Then eventually the Sadies took the stage and hot damn do they know how to put on a live show. The music they played was surfy, bluegrassy, country kinda stuff, with occasional violins and a stand-up bass. They were amazing musicians... it was mesmerising to watch the Good brothers' fingers flying around on their fretboards. And very fun to watch them going all out on their harmonies... eyes squeezed shut and mouth opened wide. It was really very folky, the lyrics (to the songs that had them) seemed to be somewhere in the vein of those old time folk jams of the sixties, and I really appreciated that. There's not a whole lot of young people bringing that kind of music and that kind of feeling to the other young people, and I really appreciate that (I also appreciated the fact that they kicked some major ass). They played a bunch of covers at the end of the show, just randomly trying stuff out that they weren't sure would go off, and then for an encore they brought Rick White on and just played a whole bunch of songs by various people, perhaps some by themselves. I like that angle on music.. making it a collaborative community thing not just between the musicians on stage but all the people who've come before and written great songs. There isn't much of that in any genre except folk, or folk related music (there's certainly a lot at the Celtic Festival) and I think it's largely because most other types of music are so concerned with style and image. These guys are just playing their music, and other music they like whereas other bands have to prove to everyone who they are and try and pretend they're original. And the Sadies really are original, just in case you thought I was claiming otherwise. And it's not necessarily a problem to try and stand on your own, but it's silly to put on blinders, and it just doesn't feel as warm and fuzzy and communal. But all in all, beyond strange ramblings about the nature of various kinds of music, The Sadies kicked ass. They're definitely on tour, and they're definitely awesome, so if you get a chance really do check them out. There is no way not to be blown away by the musicianship, precision, and spirit in these guys. And they have a stand-up bass which is automatic bonus points. I might just use their concert in London on Sept 24 as an excuse for my first home visit of this brand new school year.. we will have to see.
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1 - Triniman
The Sadies also backed up Neko Case on her recent live album, The Tigers Have Spoken.