08 Year in Review

Aught-eight was a surprisingly good year for live music both in quantity and quality. I knew a move from Boston to Rochester would diminish my musical choices quite a bit, but I did have a hopeful feeling that there would still be enough to sate my live music addiction. My feeling was indeed correct. The choices were fewer, but all that did was make it easier to decide which shows to see, and even got me out to see some great bands I definitely would have missed in a more saturated environment. Anyway, here is my list for the best 8 shows of 08, with a mix of the second half of the year thrown in at the end. Click the links for original reviews.

8. El Ten Eleven @ Bug Jar
I had never heard of El Ten Eleven but after reading a brief preview of the show in the paper, I thought it might be something I'd like to check out. And I was right! Hot damn! It was a Monday night, and a long freaking wait inside the small club for their headlining set, but well worth it. Probably the only time I have ever walked out of a show and bought 2 albums from the same band.

7. My Morning Jacket @ Radio City Music Hall
6. David Byrne @ Landmark Theatre
5. Wilco @ Auditorium Theatre
The only thing these 3 had going against them were high expectations. Met and exceeded for all 3. Also they happened to be the 3 longest encores of the year. MMJ did it all in one break, Wilco and Byrne forced 2 and 3 standing O's respectively from their audiences.

4. Apollo Sunshine @ Beat Kitchen
So happy to get to see Apollo Sunshine this year, what with their outstanding new album and all. I had to go all the way to Chicago to do it, and stay out way late on a weekend work night, but completely worth it. Not the best AS show I have ever seen, but I have a hard time ever missing an opportunity to catch these guys.

3. Phil Lesh/Levon Helm @ Highland Bowl
Best venue I attended this year, helped tremendously by the gorgeous summer afternoon, but also just a great spot right in the city with a super-chill outdoor party atmosphere both on stage and in the crowd. Seeing Levon was a great treat, and I really loved the new version of Phil's band, a lot more than others seem to. The song selection was great and the playing even better.

2. Fiery Furnaces @ Bug Jar
When it popped up on the calendar that the Fiery Furnaces would be playing the teeny tiny Bug Jar I was floored. When I popped up at the venue and the Fiery Furncaces were actually on stage at the teeny tiny Bug Jar, well I was just floored. Just a crazy crazy show in a crazy crazy atmosphere. I had to remind myself I was in Rochester.

1. Akron/Family @ Boulder Festival
These guys got inside my head and just turned up the happy juice, I was in heaven. Mindblowing.

Biggest disappointments: Mike Gordon @ Thursdays in the Park. I never got around to reviewing this one, but let's just say, booooooring. Way too jammy with a way underpar band.
Other than that, having to miss Dr. Dog the day after Akron/Family at the Boulder Festival, missing not one but two local MMW shows, arriving too late for Earl Greyhound, and getting sold out from the Felice Brothers.

Best new discoveries: El Ten Eleven, Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band, Syme, Wax Fang, Le Loup, Cornmeal

Download my 2nd half mix here. My first half mix can be found here.
1. Sympathy for the Devil (w/ Jerry Joseph) Widespread Panic 8 July 2008 Rochester
2. Hey Jude Derek Trucks Band 11 July 2008 Rochester
3. The Other One > Phil Lesh & Friends 12 July 2008 Rochester
4. Another Reason to Go Vetiver 6 December 2008 Detroit
5. Raising the Sparks Akron/Family 21 February 2007 Edgar's Club Clemson, SC
6. Wonderwall Ryan Adams & The Cardinals 27 September 2008 Rochester
7. Dirty Black Nag Cornmeal 9 October 2008 Syracuse
8. The Doctor Will See You Now Wax Fang 2007-11-17 - Headliners Music Hall
9. Better Change Your Mind Apollo Sunshine Daytrotter Session
10. k10 El Ten Eleven Sunset Tavern 5 June 2008 Seattle
11. Impossible Germany Wilco 6 December 2008 Rochester, NY

Apollo Sunshine, Wax Fang @ Beat Kitchen

I managed to make it out for Apollo Sunshine one night on my business trip out to Chicago a couple of weeks ago. I felt pretty lucky that one of my favorite bands, and a band that doesn't seem likely to hit upstate NY anytime soon, was playing in town while I was there. There were actually quite a few, as in many many, good shows going on the few days I was there. This show was a good bet because it started late enough that I knew it would not be a problem making the show, and also a show I was sure would not sell out so I wouldn't need to worry about advance tickets or anything.

I arrived at the Beat Kitchen (a smaller version of NYC's Mercury Lounge, I thought) shortly into Wax Fang's opening set. They not only share a hometown with My Morning Jacket, but their drummer was very similar to Patrick Hallahan, both hair-wise and playing-wise. I dug most of what I heard from these guys, definitely a band I would like to check out again and will keep my eye on. A trio, they aren't afraid to include some subtle electronics and looping into the mix, and and they execute it very well. Good energy, good tunes, and some great playing from all three. Glad I made it in to see them.



Apollo Sunshine are a band that just grows and grows and grows on you. The better you know them, the better the experience gets. They are a ton of fun live, and are amazing about keeping it fresh. Even if the setlists don't change up too much, even when you know what to expect, they still come out and grab you, and shake you, and knock you silly. Riding high off the release of their new album, Shall Noise Upon, they came right out of the gates and played the first 3 songs off the album in order. Sounded good, but definitely needs some more road deconstruction and distressing. They don't necessarily jam all that much so much as devolve the music into straight up noise. Albeit beautiful beautiful noise. (Shall noise upon?) At one point, birthday boy (who shared his vegan birthday cake with the crowd--see video below) and most-of-the-time bass player Jesse Gallagher played nearly an entire tune with effects knobs.
He shows he can hold down a bass line but chooses more often to fly off the handle, off-beat, off-kilter, a bass-popping madman. Even during their funky cover of William Onyeabor's Better Change Your Mind, he can't help but untie the tightness of the funk knot and let loose. Sam Cohen doesn't fare much better in keeping to the script. They just throw the rules of a rock show out the window, and it sounds oh so good. Meanwhile, the under-appreciated Jeremy Black is keeping it all together somehow on his kit. I imagine Apollo Sunshine is not for everyone, but give them a chance or three, and hopefully it sticks.



Stage list is below, though Bach definitely got moved to after Lord, and Phyllis closed the set. They came back on and encored with Brotherhood of Death. Might have been a couple of others not listed in there as well.

Apollo Sunshine & Dr. Dog @ Paradise - 3 October

Somehow managed my way out into the dark fall Boston night again last week for some more sweet sweet music. This time to catch the tour opener for what is sure to be an amazing one featuring Dr. Dog and Apollo Sunshine. For this night only Apollo Sunshine would be closing the show. A-OK by me.
I remembered that I saw Dr. Dog once before about 2 years ago opening for Clap Your Hands Say Yeah at TT the Bears. I don't remember too much from that set, so it still felt like my first time seeing them. But I have been listening to them fairly regularly since before then, so I am fairly familiar with their music. Their sound gets the Beatles/Beach Boys references constantly, and not without good reason. The influence is there and it isn't always subtle. But during their set, they reminded me of some other "B" bands, like the Band, Blues Brothers, and yes, even the Beastie Boys. I really thought going into it their set would be pretty low-key and song-oriented. But these guys flat-out impressed the heck out of me live. I can't believe I have not heard more about how good their live show is. The energy, the playing, the full-on band mentality, super tight, super loose, super fun. These guys can bring it, and they did. AWESOME! Check em out.


They were a GREAT warmup for Apollo Sunshine, but it will work great the other way too I am sure. AS was once again joined by Quentin on guitar and some percussion and occasionally by Oli on percussion, same lineup from when I caught them at the Middle East earlier this year. Not sure if they are touring with this band, or if it is just a Boston thing. According to their myspace page though it is their current lineup. I can't decide if this show was any better than their set at the Middle East, but it wasn't any worse. When this Lord action (video proof below) comes at you on the second song in, you know there are going to be some asses kicked.

They sprinkled some new tunes into the mix from their forthcoming album. All sounded awesome and I am definitely looking forward to that release. Quentin sang on most of them so it was tough to tell if they were all new AS tunes or if some were old Mazarin tunes. We'll soon see. They encored with a new one called "Pop a Woody" or something and then a mind-bending Phyllis that had me walking out in pain, joyous pain. I don't know if I should have been surprised, but I couldn't help but be a little surprised when the crowd didn't thin much if at all after the Dr. Dog set. These bands were a much better match together than I imagined. Great great show!

6/9 dude! (air guitar)

Part I: Feist and Grizzly Bear
Saturday night I pulled a rare Boston double-header. It was a most excellent adventure. But you know how in the movie the protagonist's get a glimpse of the future (and it's most excellent music)? Similarly here, I will give you glimpse of the night's climax .... Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!pollo Sunshine rocked it!
But before I get to the Berklee-trained Apollo Sunshine, the night actually began AT the Berklee Performance Center. I walked in during Grizzly Bear's set. The stage was dimly lit, and the music was somber. It was at times lush, at others dreary and drab. I just can't imagine seeing these guys in a club. I don't really know how I feel about the set, and by the end of the night I practically forgot it even happened, which I guess is not a good thing. Certainly nothing sticks out as being too great, but nothing too bad either. I think walking in in the middle hampered my enjoyment of the set as a whole.
Set break music was After the Gold Rush, which outshined the openers, but then again it is a great album.
My expectations for Feist were probably set too low. Never underestimate a Broken Social Scene member! On my first few listens, her new album strikes me as a mostly mellow vocal showcase. But live, Feist and her band put some real muscle behind the music. I'm not super familiar with the songs, but I am fairly certain most of them were reworked for the live setting. There was real thought put behind the live show I think, and it showed. Feist weilded a guitar for much of the night, and shredded some nice down and dirty licks to boot. Midset she broke it down for a couple of solo acoustic tunes. The 2nd of which she was joined by the "ghost of vaudeville" (didn't catch her real name) who tap danced the beat. It sounded great. The crowd was very attentive and got involved when called upon, which was pretty often, but were also respectfully quiet when need be. After a nice two song encore, it was time to head off to Cambridge for part 2.



Part 2: Apollo Sunshine and Frank Smith

Saturday night also featured a great lineup at the Middle East. Drug Rug and AA Bondy got things started. Unfortunately due to part 1 of my evening, they were missed, and even worse I missed the first half of Frank Smith. If only the phone booth time machine was working properly. Having been shut out of their farewell to Boston gig earlier this year, I was not going to miss out on their first return to town. I am a little gaga over Frank Smith to be honest, so walking into the middle of their set pained me a bit. Let me back up just a little though. Namewise Frank Smith is the opposite of bands like Iron and Wine, Bright Eyes, Loney, Dear etc. They are a band with the name of an individual. There is no person Frank Smith, just the band Frank Smith. Capisce? (Well, do you understand?) So they moved from Boston to Austin a couple of months ago, this was their first trip back. Their new album just came out, in addition to an EP they recorded with Juliana Hatfield. They play their own brand of rocking rollicking alt-country music. They are led by Aaron Sinclair on guitar and vocals and Brett Salia on banjo, and also feature pedal steel, bass, and drums. It's twang rock at its best. They brought Hatfield out for the second to last number to play a track from their new EP. Then they closed it out with a rocking version of Apocalypse Circa Now. It seems that the band which was a side project for everyone involved at one point, has, since the move, really tightened up the whole act and pushed the boat forward. I see great things happening for them in the near future.

Next up was Apollo Sunshine. I have now had the fortune of seeing them 3 times in a little over 6 months. Both of the last shows I saw were "special" shows, first the holiday homecoming gig in Andover, and then the super small and intimate one off show at the Lily Pad earlier this year. Special or not, neither held a candle to what went down Saturday night. From the opening notes of the raging Better Change Your Mind, all the other wonderful music I saw that night faded to the background, mere memories if even that. Apollo Sunshine owned, or should I say pwned, the night. Holy hell, Better Change Your Mind was deep dark funky insanity. One of the better set openers I have seen in a looooooong time. Previously when I saw them I came away intrigued and interested. Now I was hooked. They are generally a trio, but they were joined this night by an extra guitarist and percussionist for the entire set. I can't say that this is what made the set so great, but they certainly didn't hurt. The sound was fuller for sure, and the guests fit in seamlessly. I didn't catch either's name when they were so briefly introduced, though I am pretty sure the guitarist was Quentin Stoltzfus of Mazarin, who played a few shows with them this winter. Apollo Sunshine's sets don't change up too much, but the way the songs are played are so different every time it doesn't matter. They play so loose it's tight. My only complaint seems to be a common one with them, the set was just too damn short. Though if it is quantity not quality you seek, Apollo Sunshine jams non-stop quality into their set. Party on dudes, and be excellent to eachother!