Death Cab for Cutie & Frightened Rabbit @ Comerica Theatre 8/15/2011

I was pleased as punch back when this show was announced to see that Death Cab "hand picked" Frightened Rabbit to open for them on this tour. I really like them and the songs that they sing but I totally missed them when they played at the Clubhouse a while back. I really hate the Clubhouse and I am pretty sure that Frightened Rabbit do to. Scott Hutchison made a special point the call out the Clubhouse as the venue for one of their previous really shitty shows in Phoenix. Guess I didn't miss much. Again, I was very pleased, this time by the live performance of several of their songs. They played them with skill and aplomb and I appreciate when a band really puts in that extra "E" for effort, especially when they are the "opening" band. Can't wait to see them again next time around.

Ben Gibbard made it known how pleased he was with their choice to play an indoor venue this time around. Last time they played here it was as Mesa Amp, a fine venue on most accounts aside from the fact that it's outside and it's August. So I wholeheartedly agree and metaphorically join Death Cab on their literally self administered pats on the back. Death Cab put on a pretty spectacular show as far as spectacular shows go. I have been to several rock concerts at Comerica (formerly Dodge) Theatre over the years and this one ranks 3rd, right behind Gorillaz and Arcade Fire, not to shabby right? I DID make a poor decision when I chose GA standing room only seats rather than an actual seat. Camera bags are heavy and they played a really really long time. Two hours is a long show right? It was a great show but I wish I had a stool or something after about 20 minutes.

The cool thing about DCFC is that they play all their good stuff. They only played 4 songs off their new album out of 23 songs. That is really nice of them to be so considerate of people that may not have listened to their new album over and over and over again the day of the show to make sure they were familiar with their new album. I don't know who wouldn't have done that to prepare but I guess some people just don't want to give 110% to the concert they are attending, it's sad. Check out this slide show I made from scratch out of freshly picked photos from my photo garden.

 


Setlist

I Will Possess Your Heart
Crooked Teeth
We Laugh Indoors
A Movie Script Ending
Doors Unlocked and Open
Long Division
Grapevine Fires
Codes and Keys
What Sarah Said
I Will Follow You into the Dark
Title and Registration
You Are a Tourist
The New Year
Company Calls
Company Calls Epilogue
Soul Meets Body
Stay Young, Go Dancing
Cath...
We Looked Like Giants
The Sound of Settling

Encore:
Photobooth
Styrofoam Plates
Transatlanticism

Photos: Phoenix & Sea Wolf @ The Marquee Theater 2/1/2010

Well it's not very often that you get to see a Grammy Award winner the day after they win but that is exactly what happened last night when Phoenix played The Marquee Theater in Tempe. I have been to a lot of shows at The Marquee in my time but I have never seen it so ridiculously packed as I did last night. Every square inch of that place was taken up with people all the way out the back doors.

Supporting band Sea Wolf looked genuinely giddy as hell to be playing in front of a crowd that big, and they didn't disappoint. I am not saying they haven't played to that many people before but it was quit an increase from Modified Arts a few month ago. They played mostly new songs off their new album White Water, White Bloom as well as crowd favorite "The Violet Hour" from the New Moon Soundtrack.

Once Phoenix came on stage the place was the most frenzied I had seen since Rage Against the Machine in 1999. It was all pretty surreal since only a couple people I knew had ANY idea who these guys were six months ago. But they put on a great freaking show and if you missed it I feel pretty bad for you. Even though I don't think that many of you did... you know, since there were so many people... ughh leave me alone it's early.

Check out more pictures after the break and even more on our Flickr HERE

Photos: J Tillman, Pearly Gates Music & What Laura Says @ Modified 11/30/09

Damn fine evening of entertainment last night down at the old Modified Arts. What Laura Says put on a stripped down acoustic set re creating their sounds in some very interesting ways that I can't properly explain... so I won't, you just had to be there. Pearly Gates Music (Zach Tillman) was phenomenal and I wish I would have remembered to buy a copy of his EP before I left but I didn't have to pay the price. J Tillman was great as expected even if some of the full band songs seamed a little repetitive they were at least repeating something good, and with moxy! Check out some pictures below and the full set on our Flickr page HERE and I even added a bonus video of a J Tillman song that was performed at this very same show that I have not yet figured out the name too yet.

Photos: Neon Indian @ The Rhythm Room 11/22/09

I am not gonna lie to you here people. And this whole thing might be because I was not mentally prepared for what happened last night at The Rhythm Room but when I left I had a migraine. And let me tell you why... The last news I heard on the ticket sales for this show left me with the impression that there were not going to be very many people there, and that was NOT the case. Now don't get me wrong I WANT every show to sell out, it's good for everybody involved, but I just wasn't ready for it, mix that with 3 hours of never ending "DEEJAYING", the fact that 75% of the occupants congregate in front of the bar (IE the only pathway across the club) making it a 5 minute trip to walk 25 feet and all the bands playing the the near dark (making photography "challenging" at best) equals a big ass headache. Oh and I burned a hole in my shirt.

As for Neon Indian, they were good. As good as I thought they were going to be, probably not, but again that is probably my fault not theirs. I definitely love the album and the live performance was for all intents and purposes WAS the album so I think that by the time they played I was in a shitty mood and that ruined it for me. Next time they come to town, and I don't see why they wouldn't with that turn out, I will be more prepared mentally and physically (as in drunk) so I can enjoy Neon Indian the way god intended.

Check out a few more pics after the break and all the rest on our Flickr page HERE.

Tim & Eric Awesome Show, Great Job Live

So the Electric Mustache crew all went down to Tempe last night to see the Tim & Eric Awesome Show, Great Job tour at Marquee Theater. Holy shit was it awesome. I had wanted to post some pics from the show, you know, all professional like, but nobody brought a camera. Well, other than my iPhone, but those pics didn't turn out so great. So, instead, please accept this artist recreation of the show from last night.

Update: this one didn't turn out too bad.


Hey someone took a video of the beginning and its not bad...the part where Tim jumps down I bet scarred the crap out of the guy taking the video. PUT ON YOUR D-PANTS!