| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Broken Face |
Posted - 12/12/2004 : 21:37:36
Hey all
Just got in from the 12/12 Hammerstein Ballroom show, and my ears are ringing like a sonofabitch. {EDIT: Updated Setlist in Correct Order}
1. Wave of Mutilation (Doolittle Version)
2. Monkey Gone To Heaven
3. Bone Machine
4. Planet Of Sound
5. Caribou
6. Gouge Away
7. Holiday Song
8. Nimrod's Son (fast all the way)
9. Mr. Grieves
10. Cactus
11. Is She Weird?
12. Something Against You
13. Isla de Encanta
14. Broken Face
15. Crackity Jones
16. Hey
17. Velouria
18. In Heaven (Kim Vocals)
19. Here Comes Your Man
20. Where Is My Mind?
21 - U Mass
22 - Debaser
23 - Tame
24 - Gigantic
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25. La La Love You
26. Vamos
I got there around 8:15, doors were open at 6:30 but i was working, so i got there when i could, and i'm grateful that i missed nearly half the Datsun's set, as i didn't dig their Jet-knock off sound at all.
I stupidly bought a mezzanine (ie. balcony) seat for this show, but i got a seat in the first row of the mezz, so i could see perfectly, dead ahead was center stage. There appeared to be no moshing or crowd surfing, which is fantastic for my 3 upcoming nights on the floor.
So the band looked like they were enjoying themselves - during "Gigantic" Charles made Kim laugh and miss her vocal entrance. At one point David had to fix a cymbol and Charles said "oh wait, David is fixing something" and the whole band (and crowd) stared at him until it was fixed, and everyone gave him a big ovation for fixing his cymbol.
The sounds was pretty good, but i wish Joey's sound had more definition - at times it just seemed loud and not very well mixed. He was using a black Les Paul Custom for 90% of the set, switching to a Gold Top Les Paul for "Vamos" and a semi-hollow body ES-335 type guitar for "Is She Weird," "HCYM," "In Heaven" and "La La Love You."
Some memorable moments for me:
Hearing Charles say "Rock me Joe" and then being rocked by Joe in person is something that was breathtaking.
Seeing/hearing all 4 Pixies harmonize to the words "I Love You" has more meaning to me than it should.
Any straight man/gay woman who does not want to have an affair with Kim Deal is a fucking asshole.
It's funny how Joey has become the stylish one.
David is a hell of a drummer - i always liked his drumming, but live you really see how great he is.
Charles can still scream.
Even though they seemed very happy to be there, the band still has some of the least on-stage chemistry of any band i've ever seen. Joey is pretty much in his own quadrant of the stage, Kim stands half-back to the audience facing Dave's kit whenever she isn't at the mic, and Charles is his usual aloof self. Are these bad things? No, its just fascinating to watch a band play who doesn't have the hang ups with appearance - take note Datsuns.
The stage dressings of the lighting trees and colored lights on the background/white lights on the band was very understated and cool. I especially liked the effect it had during Monkey Gone to Heaven.
Thats it for tonight. Tomorrow is round two, and i will make sure to keep everyone up to date w/ my week of Pixies.
-B-B-B-Brian
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| 12 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Thomas |
Posted - 12/18/2004 : 11:02:16
[edit] pic failure |
| Ziggy |
Posted - 12/14/2004 : 04:28:07
It does sound quite amazing. I was a little miffed at not hearing 'Subbacultcha' on the couple of occasions I saw the band this year. |
| Sir Rockabye |
Posted - 12/13/2004 : 13:20:30
Thanks for the glowing review Brian. Wish I could be joining you tonight.
I will never say the word procrastinate again, I'll never see myself in the mirror with my eyes closed. |
| kathryn |
Posted - 12/13/2004 : 12:18:28
I'd be there in a jif if I could, you know that! Your man crush will have to suffice.
And I think most guys in the audience have a man crush of sorts on Frank.
I'm gonna go re-re-re-read the New York Times review of the show now. Have a blast!
 I still believe in the excellent joy of the Frank |
| Broken Face |
Posted - 12/13/2004 : 11:09:23
Kathryn, just think, i offered you a ticket for tonight, and shot me down, despite our crush status. Just kidding!
oh well, instead i get to go with my girlfriend's best friend's boyfriend, who is cool, but who we think has a bit of a mancrush on me - like George's crush on Dan Cortez (sp?) on Seinfeld
-B-B-B-Brian
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| kathryn |
Posted - 12/13/2004 : 10:50:00
Yet again, Brian, you break my heart.
Nonetheless, I thank you for such a vivid review. Have a blast at the rest of the shows!
I still believe in the excellent joy of the Frank |
| motherbanger |
Posted - 12/13/2004 : 10:47:32
No.
It sounds more like they're doing a documentary on the tour with live components. I asked one of the cameramen if it's slated for DVD and he said "at the very least" so maybe they're hoping for a theatrical kind of thing. |
| dayanara |
Posted - 12/13/2004 : 10:41:56
Interesting idea about them cutting a DVD out of the NY run. Were they all wearing the same clothes both nights?
The stage divides us/He is on one side of it/I am far away - Frank haiku |
| ChessPieceFace |
Posted - 12/13/2004 : 07:01:32
I was in the front (well, okay, so not ON the rail, but I coulda touched it), and it was just mindblowing. I've seen a lot of concerts since my first back in 1993, but I've never seen one so intense. Yeah, they only played for just under an hour and a half, but it was STRAIGHT... no pauses, no banter, barely even time for applause between songs. But, it didn't feel like they were just trying to play through and go home... I actually got a little choked up during U-Mass, I think just from the power being blasted at me from a few feet away, and being in the front of a crowd just so goddamn happy to see the goddamn PIXIES.
This is my first and only chance to see them, so I was very happy to hear Mutilation (fast), Nimrod, Holiday, Caribou, U-Mass, BROKEN FACE (you missed that one) and In Heaven. Sure, I would love to have heard Levitate Me (especially, especially Levitate Me), River Euphrates and Subbacultcha (along with no-chances Alec Eiffel and I've Been Tired), but it was still a great setlist.
I can't wait for the CD set...
Oh, and there were FOUR cameramen filming the entire show. With the great backdrop, excellent venue, and a week of sold-out shows in NYC, it would certainly make sense to film 2-3 shows to cut together a live DVD.
Sidenote: The Datsuns are far and away the most inappropriately matched opening band I've EVER seen. 70's-metal preening and posturing, all songs about girls and guitars, no variance, no originality. The only entertaining bit was watching one of their moms (I think?) standing in the wings furiously pantomiming that they had to be offstage in fifteen minutes. I picked up the free DVD sampler some guy was handing out, just so I could waste their money like they wasted mine. |
| motherbanger |
Posted - 12/13/2004 : 04:43:04
I was only at 12-11 but I gotta agree with the assessment of David's drumming. Of course they're all brilliant at what they do but I was particularly blown away by the drumming. He is an AWESOME live drummer. Reminds me of seeing the E Street band and knowing that they're all massively talented but just realizing that Max Weinberg is absolutely the man on the drums. Same deal.
And I do think they have great chemistry, but it's not fake pandering to the audience (like you say about the Datsuns). It's more honest and real. |
| n/a |
Posted - 12/13/2004 : 00:29:21
Boys, I love you but I hate you..
Especially you Brian... four times????
Sounds amazing, lucky bastards.....
I'm not jealous...I'm not jealous...I'm not jealous
[repeat until applicable]
Frank Black ate my hamster |
| Chip Away Boy |
Posted - 12/13/2004 : 00:05:28
Tonight was my first time seeing the Pixies.
It was fantastic. Charles just rocks the house.
I bought the green "shadow" design T. It rocks, and now I rock.
God bless the Pixies. |
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