All words: Sarah Sherman
All photos: Jane Briggs
On Friday night, the crowd at The Black Cat was a funky mix of twenty somethings through fifty somethings, and it was the latter group who were, not surprisingly, acting like kids. As opening act Kelley Stoltz said of his own experience touring with Echo and the Bunnymen, the older portion of the crowd was living the dream that night, sharing close quarters with a legend.
I myself stood no more than ten feet from Ian McCulloch, who has influenced countless bands since his group’s formation in 1978. He and The Bunnymen made their way onstage through smoke and darkness, and, cutting through the eerie voices coming through the speakers, McCulloch bid us “Hello!” before launching into ‘Going Up.’
Immediately, I wondered if this guy, ambling onstage in a sweatshirt and overcoat, was the legend I had heard so much about. Soon I would discover that, while his band’s still got it, they’re a group that’s been doing this for a long time. And at this point, they’re gonna do whatever the hell they want to do - McCulloch in particular.
For example, Mac the Mouth is no longer ashamed to forget the words to a song. He did just that on Friday night, and before scrapping the tune altogether, he chuckled and offered an explanation along the lines of, “Every line sounds the fucking same,” (I think that’s what he said - not once did he utter a sentence that I could completely understand). He impersonated Jimmy Durante during ‘Do It Clean,’ almost bringing the song to a screeching halt. He lit a cigarette just before the chorus of ‘Stormy Weather,’ and whenever else he felt like it, despite DC’s indoor smoking ban. And then there were the incoherent stories about narcolepsy and Yum’s carryout, told over pleas for ‘Lips Like Sugar.’ All night, McCulloch and the rest wore smirks, as if to say this wasn’t a night where they had something to prove. They’ve proven themselves over and over for thirty years, and since they’re still selling out venues like the Cat, what’s the harm in screwing around a little?
That said, there was no pompous attitude that incited all these antics. These guys were just hanging out on a Friday night, playing their music as it came. There were no egos at stake, and how could there be, when it looks like you’re wearing onstage the same pair of ripped jeans you had when your band started touring several decades ago?
Friday’s lineup outside of stalwarts McCullough and Will Sergeant included Steve Brannan on bass, Gordy Goudie on guitar, Simon Finley on drums and Paul Fleming on keyboards. Fleming was essentially asleep at the wheel towards the end of the night, but his absence made room for Brannan to shine through with ferocious bass lines.
Bottom line: the show at the Cat was lacking. Musically, there were a few standouts, like ‘Bedbugs and Ballyhoo,’ ‘Zimbo’ with its eerie beauty, ‘Show of Strength’ and ‘All That Jazz,’ but distractions ran rampant through other classic tunes. But rock stars don’t need a pitch perfect set to still be beloved rock stars, and Echo and the Bunnymen proved that with no trouble.
Previously in Live DC:
- 5/22: LiveDC: Spirit Animal @ Red Palace
- 5/22: LiveDC: Astra Via @ Black Cat
- 5/22: LiveDC: Father John Misty @ Rock & Roll Hotel
- 5/22: LiveDC: Drive-By Truckers and Lucinda Williams @ Merriweather
- 5/22: Photos: Summer Camp takes the "Ladies of Town" Drag Show
- 5/22: LiveDC: Penguin Prison & Class Actress @ RNR Hotel
- 5/21: LiveDC: James Morrison @ 930 Club
- 5/21: Photos: Que Sera L'Anniversaire @ Napoleon
- 5/21: LiveDC: La Sera/ Beach Week @ Red Palace
- 5/21: LiveDC: The Black Keys & Arctic Monkeys @ Merriweather Post Pavilion
God loves a cheerful giver.
I love their songs, but this show was, as stated, lacking. It was just some old dude in sunglasses singing songs. I guess if you hadn't seen them since the 1980s it would be worth it, but since I had I left after two songs.
I am pretty certain that the old woman in the last pic is the mom of the opening band's lead singer - at least that's what I gathered overhearing their conversation.
The show wasn't bad. Not as good as their set at the Black Cat in 2005. A medicore Bunnymen show is light years better than most though....
Wonderful photos Jane!
a few points
1) The old woman in the last photo is Kelly Stolz's mom. Both of his parents were present and were def. in tears by the end of their son's excellent set. They were really nice too.
2) I didn't find Mac terribly difficult to understand.
3) All this focus on Mac, and nothing on Will Sergeant WHO FUCKING KILLLLLLLLLLLLLLLED IT ON GUITAR!!! Not a single bum note!
4) Mac's musical diversions are a Bunnymen tradition. His take on James Brown's "Sex Machine," during Do it Clean, was pure gold.
Michael, are you deaf or just dumb? Can't belive your musical ignorance here. The show was outstanding. This "old dude" is the best there is. The night was full of musical standout moments. Ask people old enough and experienced enough to know what's what.
"Ask people old enough and experienced enough to know what’s what."
Did someone just say that to Michael? If I may quote "In Reality w/ Uncle Bucket":
HOW DO YOU LOCK THE TERROR OUT, WHEN YOU ALREADY INVITED IT IN!?!?!
Jean - I've probably seen more EatB shows than you have. I probably know the lyrics to 90% of every song they've ever written. I've read Turquoise Days and Never Stop numerous times (own both biographies) and won $20 on a bar bet that "Echo" of EatB did not refer to their stupid drum machine but was just part of a stupid band name they all decided on. If I have to hear that 'did you know that Echo was their first drum machine' at a show I'm going to start punching people in the face.
Regardless, it was a boring yawnfest. The 2005 show was better but even so I don't think that EatB have ever been known for putting on amazing shows - despite protestations of middle-agers who attend them to recreate some of their 80's club days.
NOTE: Winston was the name of OMD's first reel-to-reel tape machine.
NOTE 2: The Bunnymen's first drum machine did not have a name. It was just a Korg Micropops. Apparently Will still has it.
@Michael - Which biography do you recommend?
whoever took these photos is hot.
Michael, I'm impressed. For all your so-called experience, you still don't know what you're talking about.
Jean - you're an idiot. I'm dismissing you until such point as you french kiss my pee hole. Once you have prostrated yourself before the godliness of my musical knowledge and far-reaching charm and charisma I may engage in a debate again. I said 'may.'
You do know what debate is, right? It's where instead of just saying things like "the night was full of musical standout moments" you actually describe them. Don't say you're too busy to do so because you took the time to come back and read more.
I know exactly what I'm talking about. It was the same show as in 2005, except on a somewhat slower pace because of Ian's advanced frailty. I'm pretty sure that the sunglasses were the same though.
Don't get me wrong. I clearly am a huge fan of EatB, but being a huge fan of a band's music doesn't mean that I particularly want that band to embarass themselves by touring. Take off your rose-colored glasses and actually get out and see some shows (I probably see at least 100 a year) and you, too, will soon be able to differentiate between a really good live performance, and a nostalgic reality devoid cariacature of one (hint - this show was the latter).
Did I call it or did I call it?
AB - you get seconds on my pee-hole french kissing right after Jeancomma
I'm going to go ahead and pass. Everyone knows you've suffered from urinary incontinence since '87. That's not a risk I'm willing to take.
most of the times, the comments section of any BYT posting is better than the actual article
For once, I agree with Michael (wait, how many Michaels post here?). The show was a pretty big snoozefest, and the crowd was just...odd. Did anyone else notice all the kids there? Not teenagers, but actual children.
Creepiest was the guy and the 9 or 10 year old boy in matching outfits. Maybe they were father and son, but I caught a major NAMBLA vibe from the whole thing. So weird.