I Do Stuff…

WSP Wood Tour poster

I posted twice about this performance from the show, now I have more time for an in depth review from last night.  The Fillmore in Silver Spring only opened last September and none of their booked acts thus far peaked my interested.  In November it was confirmed that Widespread Panic would be taking a indefinite hiatus starting in 2012.  They would play their already book, and sold out, four nights in Puerto Morelos Mexico and limited engagements in Atlanta, Denver, Aspen, and Silver Spring.  I jumped all over the tickets when they went on sale in middle November.  It could possible be the last chance to see the band for a few years and it was going to be an all acoustic tour which sounded really cool.

The two shows at the Fillmore would kick the tour off and I decided to catch the first of the two shows.  As much as I wanted to see both nights, the high ticket price and distance from my house on a school night precluded me.  I left work at 6pm for an 8pm show time which Widespread is pretty good at keeping.  I knew that traffic would be a little rough, only once I got to the American Legion Bridge did things slow down.  I still managed to make it to the parking garage by 7:30, enough time to find a bit to eat and head into the show.

Just the lobby alone was impressive.  You are given a choice to go upstairs or into the club on the ground floor.  On either side of the floor there is a huge bar that has a good selection of bottle beers.  They do have drafts, but it was limited to only domestics, prices were “ok” at $7 for my bottle of Anchor Steam.  I was impressed they had it however so the price was worth it.  The upstairs has a VIP section with seats along either side of the balcony and on the second level opposite the stage is a tiered VIP section with tables.  Behind all the VIP sections there is space for general admission patron to stand.  You can’t see much of the stage from these spots, but there are tvs hanging from the ceiling that have a feed of the stage.  The live feed, with audio, is piped into a bar and lounge in the basement which is really cool.  The dance floor is made of wood and there are the signature Fillmore hanging chandeliers, four in all, next to a mirror ball.  All in all this is a really nice venue and I can’t wait to get back to the place.  Even the bathrooms are impressive.

jam on guys

As for the performance, it kicked ass.  I have seen acoustic songs before and been to quite venues like the Birchmere and Rams Head Tavern but this was completely different.  The song selection was good, each version was played in a mellow fashion to go along with the acoustic instruments.  John, Dave, and Jimmy all sat in chairs while they played.  One thing I noticed about Jimmy was he didn’t switch his guitar much, if at all.  I am use to seeing him get a new guitar every couple of songs, depending on what sound he is looking for that particular song.  All the band members seem to enjoy the night and really get into the acoustic vibe.

The audience was a typical WSP crowd, a little older and much more mature than some other acts I see.  There was of course lots of drinking, the floor after the show was covered in spilt beer and empty plastic cups.  All in all, they were respectful of the performance and really got into at times.  On several songs, because of the performances quite nature, the audience would sing along with John.  When I was dancing to the music at times I would look up at the balcony and see everyone grooving to the music.  It was also funny to see the audience at the start of each set whip out their cell phones to snap some photos.  Don’t think I am throwing stones, how do you think I got my shots from the night?  Just a funny observation from the night.

Getting home took about 70 minutes cutting through downtown DC.  Unfortunately I can’t make the performance tonight.  I do look forward to going back to the venue sooner rather than later.  I think it is a welcome addition to the live music scene here in Washington DC.  I just hope top caliber acts continue to go to the State Theatre, Birchmere, and 9:30 Club.

Set 1 (8:18pm start)
01. This Part Of Town >
02. Worry
03. Fishing
04. St. Louis >
05. Clinic Cynic >
06. Wondering
07. Free Somehow
08. Genesis >
09. Holden Oversoul
(9:12pm end)

Set 2 (9:55pm start)
01. From The Cradle
02. Can’t Get High
03. Gimme
04. Degenerate >
05. Pilgrims >
06. Travelin’ Man >
07. Saint Ex >
08. jam >
09. Driving Song >
10. jam >
11. Driving Song >
12. Breathing Slow >
13. City of Dreams
(10:56pm end)

encore: (11:00pm start)
14. None of Us Are Free
15. May Your Glass Be Filled
16. Walkin’ (For Your Love)
(11:16pm end)

Notes:
Wood Tour
Last ‘Fishing’ – 11/29/08, 215 shows
Last ‘Free Somehow’ – 10/28/08, 225 shows

time to go home

This venue is incredible and seeing WSP here us a real treat. I love the acoustic playing, very mellow versions of known songs so far. Been very impressed with the first set and can’t wait for the second. For a tour opener this has been a great performance. I am missing the president’s state of the union address for this show but it is totally worth it. I will catch it on my way home.

What will happen for second set…..oh boy oh boys.

Let’s try some live blogging tonight. At the Widespread Panic show in Silver Spring, MD. The tour opener for the Wood Tour and probably the only six shows in America all year. I am psyched! Got a beer in hand, show should be starting shortly.

Airborne Toxic Event at the 9:30 Club

I got a call from Nancy several weeks ago, she wanted to see a band at the 9:30 Club.  I love seeing concerts and if she wanted to see one, I was all in.  Her first choice, I don’t even remember who, was already sold out so she got tickets to the Airborne Toxic Event the week of Thanksgiving.  I don’t normally listen to alternative rock now, I did when I was younger but have strayed in the last decade.  Despite not knowing the band I was interested in going to the show with Nancy.

We planned to get home early and head to Shirlington for dinner before the show.  Holiday traffic started earlier than anticipated, it took both us several hours to get home to immediately turn around and head to the city.  We stopped at the Capitol City Brewing Company again for drinks and dinner.  We were there a few weeks before for dinner before the moe. show and decided to head back.  Their Octoberfest beers were finished for the season and they had new seasonal offerings.  I got the Heller Keller which was a traditional, unfiltered German style beer.  Not bad, a little sweet, I wouldn’t drink it all the time, but it was good.

A quick bit to eat and we headed to the club early to try and snag a seat at the bar upstairs.  With the show sold out I didn’t hold much hope of us getting a seat.  We got there a little after 8, The Drowning Men was already performing, and the upstairs bar was full.  The place was pretty empty this early with lots of people sitting in the balcony and the floor half empty.  We got a drink and just sat stage right with a bunch of others.

Sitting there I was shocked at the crowd, it was much older and more mature than I imagined, felt like the young guy at the show.  Even saw a guy in a full suite and many others you could tell came straight from work to the show.  I remember the crowds for alternative rock shows being much edgier years ago, but I guess we all have to grow up sometimes.  I went through this same revelation when Phish started touring again back in 2009, the crowd got older, but then again so did I.

A quick set from The Drowning Men and Mona was up next, this was another reason Nancy wanted to come to the show.  They are from Nashville and have this Johnny Cash, rockabilly, twangy sound.  The band members all wore skinny jean with slick black hair in tight t-shirts, quite a sight if you ask me.  They rocked the house for a good 40 minutes with passion and feeling.  For their last song they lead guitarist hit a note and put his guitar down in front of the amp and everyone walked off.  It reminded me in a way of Jimmy Hendrix leaving the stage or Green Day at HFStival many years ago.  They happen to make a statement without destroying their equipment.

Next up was the headliners, Airborne Toxic Event.  By now the club was pack but both Nancy and I agreed that the moe. show we saw a week earlier had more people.  They put on a great set, playing all four songs that Nancy wanted to hear.  At one point Mikel Jollett dropped the guitar and walked off the stage.  He started off on the right speaker stack and eventually jumped onto the bar to sing a song.  He ordered a whiskey from the bartender, after being carded of course, which was cool.  The band  is certainly talented with each member switching instruments during the night.  They actually put a lot of thought into their arrangements and I found out they have played with several orchestras around the country.  After an hour, and the last song Nancy wanted to hear, we decided to bug after a long night.  The band happened to walk off stage but Nancy was ready to go, not wanting to hear the encore.  When we got back to the car, Airborne Toxic Event was playing on the radio, we got our encore.

Between sets Nancy asked me how long it had been since I saw an alternative rock band.  I had to think about it but it was over 10 years ago, Vans Warp Tour.  Since then it has been to many jazz shows, jam shows, with a few classic rock bands thrown in for good measure.  I hope in the future Nancy is inspired to see more alternative bands, I enjoy the scene and the music.  Maybe My Morning Jacket, The Boxer Rebellion, The Killers, or Arcade Fire.  The 9:30 Club is perfect for seeing bands like this.

My annual birthday show. This time around Medeski, Martin and Wood came early so I needed to find another show to attend.  Fortunately moe. stepped in and provided a wonderful night of music two days before my birthday for a Saturday performance.

copyright: Capitol City Brewing

Nancy and I started the evening off at Capitol City Brewing Company in Shirlington for a few drinks and dinner. If I can help it I always eat dinner before seeing a show in DC. It is not often I get up there so I like to eat at a local place when possible.  We picked this place because I love beer and they brew there own onsite.  We arrived about 5:30 for a quick drink before rest the family arrived to help celebrate.  I wanted to try their Oktoberfest but it was out, very disappointing.

The Amber Waves was the best, my only repeat of the night. Their Kolsch was pretty good, light in color but some decent favors going on.  Their Pale Rider was a knock off of, fill in any domestic beer.  No flavor, clear as water, not worth your time.  Nancy got the other seasonal offering, Pumpkinator.  Surprisingly there is no pumpkin in this one, all you can taste is the variety of spices they use to make this one, not a fan of this one either.  If only they had Oktoberfest I would have been a happy man.

We stayed at the restaurant till almost 9 before leaving for the show.  Fortunately it is not far from Shirlington to the 9:30 Club, even with crazy city traffic.  At dinner Nancy convinced Matt to come along which was cool.  His first moe. show and first time at the 9:30 Club.  I knew parking was going to be difficult at best, but we lucked out and got a spot close to the club.

Right when we walked in the lights went out and the band stepped on stage.  It was after the official start time of 9, but within the requisite delayed start time many jam bands adhere to.  We headed to the upstairs bar while they played Blue Jeans Pizza. The show was not sold out, in fact neither night was, but the place was packed regardless.  I quickly got a beer and joined Nancy and Matt at the far end of the bar, from here we had a good view of the stage.

All night they played some good tunes.  I don’t know what the energy level was on Friday but tonight it was high. They jammed out. Like I predicted, the first set was an hour long, ending by 10:30. Nancy by this point was getting a little bored and her feet were killing here.  She was a trooper and stuck it out for most of the second set.  When I spoke to Matt he was enjoying himself, having never heard the band and spending $25 to get in, he liked what he heard.  I spoke to him again on Sunday about his impression, it was not the “fucking kick ass experience” I had, but he had fun.  One thing he didn’t like was the jams.

The second set started just after 11pm, just like I thought. I tell you I could have written the play bill that night. I later nailed the house lights at 1am. I didn’t predict the amazing 20 minute Recreational Chemistry encore, stuff like that is out of my league.  The house lights came up and we joined Nancy who was already in the car. She bugged out late during the second set. I don’t like leaving her alone in the city, she is a stubborn woman, at least the club is next to Howard University so the cops are always patrolling, keeping the peace.

We headed home, dropped Matt off and continued south, stopping to get some burgers before heading home.  There is something about eating greasy burgers after drinking and a late night show that I love.  We finally made it to bed

around three in the morning.

Asbury Park, NJ copyright: Chris Paul

Set 1 (9:20pm start)
01. Blue Jeans Pizza
02. Skrunk >
03. The Bones Of Lazarus
04. Happy Hour Hero
05. Kyle’s Song >
06. Kids
set ends at 10:26pm

Set 2 (11:03 start)
01. Dr. Graffenberg
02. Wind It Up >
03. Understand
04. Chromatic Nightmare
05. Blue Eyed Son (1)
06. Gone (2) >
07. Faker >
08. Moth
set ends at 12:22am

encore: (12:26am start)
09. Recreational Chemistry
show over at 12:51am

Notes:
(1) with al on mandolin
(2) with al on ’74 Gibson Double-neck guitar