Untitled
Overall, I had a great time...
Friday night was good. I'd rate it as second best of the three nights. The four opening acts were good, although The Thanes ruled that particular roost. The Sonics were fun. Some said there were sound problems, but I was right up front, getting the stage mix anyway, plus raw blasts from the amps. And crushed in a crowd of delirious fans.
Saturday night started great, with the Higher State. The Urges were quite good, as well, but I think both would be more at home in a smaller venue. (That's fine by me, because that's where my favorite rock'n'roll always happens.) The Alarm Clocks have improved significantly since I saw them about 15 months earlier at another Brooklyn venue. The New Colony Six were about what I expected. Thing is, the sappy lightweight mid-60s pop thing is not my favorite. And I do love pop. But I kept thinking it was the kinda music played at a high school dance in 1966 where the guy and his girl danced close. She's on top of the world thinking he really loves her, the way he's holding her close (until the chaperone comes to separate them), while he's thinking, "Damn, she feels good!" And, "I'm gettin' some tonight!" I went and got some good kielbasy and pierogies during their set and listened from the other room. But that was still better than the friggin' Strawberry Alarm Clock, who made me think that the one time I kept an open mind and saw the Grateful Dead was...Well, let's put it this way, The Strawberry Alarm Clock made The Grateful Dead sound like the MC5. But that's probably not fair, 'cuz I friggin' HATE that trippy-hippy jazz-noodling kinda thing.
Sunday night was my favorite by far. One of my favorite newer bands, The Hall Monitors, were opening and they did themselves proud. Eddie Angel of Los Straitjackets even joined them for a couple songs. The Wildebeests came on next and tore it up, exactly the way I was hoping they would. Then the (group called) Lyres came on and did a great show, even getting an encore from the packed house. And then the Fleshtones, who also got the respect they so deserve from this crowd. People were dancing their asses off. And during the Pushup Song, they handed the bass to The Paybacks' Ms. Wendy Case and the guitar to head Hoodoo Guru Dave Faulkner and the two of them tore it up w/Mr. Milhizer bangin' out the beat. Finally, The Sonics, who despite a few miscues, were still a blast. And this time it was more comfortable, without all the pushing and shoving.
Overall, a great weekend, with some cool rock'n'roll and lotsa old and new friends.