So I’ve been watching a lot of My So-Called Life lately. And its like…. got me thinking…. about my life…. or whatever. Which direction I’m heading, where I’ve been, who I am, who my friends really are…
Which is some deep, boring shit, so I’ll just focus on what i did last night. I went to see the Lemonheads at the Cat. Cale bullied me into seeing the opening band, Racoon, who are from the Netherlands and were not so good. They all seemed like they could have 15 year old daughters who are just starting to get into boys and its been creating some tense parenting moments and its not like they give you a manual at the hospital and sometimes dad just has to get away from it all and rock out with his rock band that rocks hard with the loud guitars and killer sweet harmonies. They sounded a bit like Creed, but not as good. I soon got bored and skipped out on their last few songs and went back downstairs. Sorry.
Sitting at the bar, I took in the crowd, which was heavily weighted toward 30-something dudes in plaid shirts. When I was 16, i bought the album “Its a shame about Ray.” And it really like…. spoke to me…. you know? I was in the midst of a prolonged wallow marked by generalized resentment toward the world, and i really needed to know that someone, somewhere out there knew what i was going through. Like when you run out of drugs and the street is cold and you have no where to turn and it just dries you up inside (Abby, weren’t you in like youth group?). That album helped me through some tough times (in youth group), so I went to the show to relive the grunge.
Evan Dando came out, looking skinny from years of wear, in a brown hoodie and fringe in his eyes. Some other guys came out on stage with him too (i think they were from some Lemonheads cover-band, the Jalopies?). They played a short set I mostly recognized from IASAR and “Car, Button, Cloth.” It was loud, his voice was deep and sounded mostly identical to the albums, and he barely moved the whole time. Lyrics ranged from the poignantly sentimental-”I’m trying hard to make you notice me hanging around”- to bizarre and painful-”its irrelevant, I’m an elephant, she’s a mouse.”
But his stage presence was stilted, like he knew we were there to relive a moment some 10 years ago when we were young and awkward and life was heavy with meaning. I don’t think you can really call yourself a “Lemonheads fan” today, what with the band having dissolved and reformed countless times. Its not as if they just released an album and they’re touring to promote it. And while its no Rolling Stones One Foot in the Grave tour, its not something new. Its Evan Dando, with studio musicians, playing the hits.
At the encore, after the other guys finally went away, he crooned a couple softer, country-tinged songs. Alone, he sang “Outdoor Type” and a genuinely pretty version of “Frank Mills,” his voice nearly breaking on the high note at “gold letters,” and I remembered why I came. Then he started another song, stopped and haltingly threw down his guitar and started to walk off, came back, and squeaked into the mic, “I, uhh…. its time to go home now.” And that was it, so we left.
I like this (See? I AM trying to be more positive): “I was in the midst of a prolonged wallow marked by generalized resentment toward the world, and i really needed to know that someone, somewhere out there knew what i was going through. Like when you run out of drugs and the street is cold and you have no where to turn and it just dries you up inside…”
Except I always turn to Beethoven.
December 21, 2007 at 10:12 amMaybe you’re being ironic and I’m missing it. The “other guys” were Bill Stevenson and Karl Alvarez from The Descendents/All. They’re not in a Lemonheads cover band. Nor are they studio musicians. The Lemonheads are touring to promote an album that came out in September 2006. They played a lot of songs off of it. And, for what it’s worth, Dando’s stage presence hasn’t changed a bit in 20 years.
December 21, 2007 at 10:17 amsorry, but i have to agree with earlx. when reviewing a band, you should know a LITTLE bit about the bands members, recent work, etc.. you even misquoted lyrics. evan dando did a WAY better job of playing his own songs after many years than most bands do when they are in their first couple of years and trying to promote themselves. i’m not sure what you expected (after all, it is the lemonheads) and i am certainly not trying to say they are great (and they were definitely better with juliana in the mix), but they sounded pretty good and it was enjoyable. sorry you got hung up on your great expectations.
one last thing: you said, “I don’t think you can really call yourself a “Lemonheads fan” today, what with the band having dissolved and reformed countless times.” what about a band that isn’t around at all anymore? dead musicians? come on.
This is my favorite BYT review ever
December 21, 2007 at 12:42 pmlooks like abby needs a hug. you were sad, depressed and bored before dando came onstage. lessons learned: 1. stay of “my so called life” and you’ll be a happier lady. and 2: research, research, research!
December 22, 2007 at 2:02 pmAbby, your review of the Lemonhead’s show makes my penis soft….please don’t ever write anymore reviews of bands….thank you….
February 12, 2008 at 4:11 pm
This is so like, whatever, Abby. Why are you so, you know, like yourself? I’m outta here…
December 21, 2007 at 9:50 am