I think I've been crossing more things
off of my unknown bucket list. Last night, I saw Braid in a bowling
alley. Way, way back in the 90s, I wanted to see bands play at the
Fireside Bowl in Chicago. I romanticized the idea quite a bit as the
touring bands I worked with of that era played there on the regular.
The Midwest indie rockers of the mid 90s mixed with John Hughes
movies of the 80s and a dash of fanzines and word of mouth made it
seem like Fireside Bowl was a little slice of punk rock heaven. In my 20s, that
was enough to go on. Never made it to Chicago; but I do get to live
that dream, living in close proximity to just that sort of venue: Asbury Lanes. I started pestering Jim just after this show was
announced. I wanted him to love Braid the way I did then, and now.
Marietta are a Philly band that I was
unfamiliar with before the show. On first listen, they reminded me a
bit of American Football and Modern Baseball. I wish I had a hockey
related band name to include; but this was my first impression, kids.
They drew a great early crowd who sang along from the get-go, but I needed to retreat to the steps for
a little cool breeze. The Lanes can be downright tropical at times.
I'm sure we'll cross paths again.
Next up was A Great Big Pile Of Leaves
or AGBPOL, for short. Kids and their acronyms. LOL, WTF. I heard their
2013 LP You're Always On My Mind (not a Willie Nelson reference)
sometime last year. It didn't stick at the time, but I'm going to go
back and give it another chance. They were solid live; and, although I
can't name a tune, I was engaged. The kids dug it, too. Sing along
choruses and they packed them kids tight into the tiny spot at the foot
of the stage. They all pogoed and swayed and threw in a little crowd surfing for
good measure. Great set and definitely worth checking in on again.
Jim worked his way in and out the
crowd taking pictures and sweating. My buddy Joey made it out. He's an old indie rock vet from
back in the day so our old guy duo was now a power trio. Braid hit
the stage with the energy and passion of bands half their age. They
still love what they do, and it shows. Their new LP No Coast is great
and shows how they've grown as musicians during their absence from the
grind of writing and touring.
Braid were a touring machine once upon a time. I'm pretty sure I saw them at CBGBs and Brownies on more than one occasion. Toss in a few VFWs for good measure. No bowling alleys though. That problem is now solved.
The combination of dancing and humidity made Asbury Lanes feel like Kuala Lumpur. I was drowning during "New Nathan Detroits." That's my jam.
There are plenty of bands with two singers that do call and response vocals, but none quite like Bob and Chris. They work separately and in unison, layering different lyrics. Not harmonizing, but separation and interplay. Think The Beatles' “I've Got A Feeling.”
The rhythm section was a well-oiled machine not counting one bass breakdown. Once we got a replacement bass in, we were back up and running at a breakneck pace. The set was tight and held down the classics. There was a brief break for an encore. I'm not gonna run down a set list. Past and present were all represented, and the closing number was a deep cut from The Age Of Octeen. I'm not going to spoil the set list just in case you'll be heading out during the rest of these dates. And you should.
Braid were a touring machine once upon a time. I'm pretty sure I saw them at CBGBs and Brownies on more than one occasion. Toss in a few VFWs for good measure. No bowling alleys though. That problem is now solved.
The combination of dancing and humidity made Asbury Lanes feel like Kuala Lumpur. I was drowning during "New Nathan Detroits." That's my jam.
There are plenty of bands with two singers that do call and response vocals, but none quite like Bob and Chris. They work separately and in unison, layering different lyrics. Not harmonizing, but separation and interplay. Think The Beatles' “I've Got A Feeling.”
The rhythm section was a well-oiled machine not counting one bass breakdown. Once we got a replacement bass in, we were back up and running at a breakneck pace. The set was tight and held down the classics. There was a brief break for an encore. I'm not gonna run down a set list. Past and present were all represented, and the closing number was a deep cut from The Age Of Octeen. I'm not going to spoil the set list just in case you'll be heading out during the rest of these dates. And you should.
With all this discussion of revival -- and it has been quite the topic online as of late -- get out and go see
bands like Braid, Frontier(s), and Mineral. See where it came from. See what your favorite bands are emulating. Go back to go forward. And buy their records. Then go start your own band. That's my final
answer. Now get off my lawn, you screaming kids!
Pics by CoolDad. More at Flickr.
Pics by CoolDad. More at Flickr.
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