words and photos by jane briggs
The Lemonheads, (well, Evan Dando plus his band of new recruits), headlined at the Black Cat on Saturday night. Flannel: check. Converse: check. Long, greasy hair: check. All present. Despite sound problems throughout their set, the band sounded just like they did on your CD player in high school (or in my case, elementary school). The band is on tour for their new album of covers, Varshons, featuring a few famous guest vocalists. I was secretly hoping Kate Moss had read about D.C. topping the nation in cocaine usage, prompting her to make an appearance. Thankfully, Dando performed songs from his earlier days, including Dandelion and It's a Shame About Ray.
Brooklyn band Appomattox was a perfect choice to open for the Lemonheads. Playing songs off of their new album, A O, they offered a blend of 90s sound with a more current indie rock vibe. Their energetic stage presence, especially that of bassist David Nurmi, drew in the audience. I particularly liked Either Way, the catchiest and most well-known of their new songs. If you missed the band this time around, catch them at Cycle Space on June 30th.
p.s. check out this previous Lemonheads review. Its totally worth it.
Previously in Live DC:
- 2/13: LiveDC: The Darkness @ 930 Club
- 2/9: LiveDC: Theophilus London @ 930 Club
- 2/9: Best Weekend Bets
- 2/8: LiveDC: Kathleen Edwards @ 930 Club
- 2/8: LiveDC: Thurston Moore/ Kurt Vile @ Black Cat
- 2/8: LiveDC: Thurston Moore/ Kurt Vile @ Black Cat
- 2/7: LiveDC: Demetri Martin @ Warner Theatre
- 2/7: LiveDC: Augustana/ Graffiti6 @ 930 Club
- 2/6: LiveDC: All Things Go Presents: Reptar/ Casual Curious/ Fort Lean @ Gibson Guitar Showroom
- 2/6: LiveDC: TYCHO/ Beacon @ RNR Hotel
God loves a cheerful giver.
Nice photos. For the record, "Dandelion" is not "a song from their old days." The song they performed was "Dandelion Seeds," a cover that appears on the new Varshons collection of covers. Maybe you're confusing it with the Stones' "Dandelion" -- different song, and also not by the Lemonheads. I posted video on YouTube of "Outdoor Type" and "Being Around" from the Black Cat show.
I just saw the Lemonheads in Portland, Maine tonight and I was looking for other reviews because of what I saw. Dando stared at the ceiling for most of the set, broke into weird monologues about Sylvia Plath, and broke of the set abruptly after hitting himself in the head with the mic stand. I love the Lemonheads, but it was really kind of sad...