Napalm Death, Melvins & Weedeater @ The Underground

Of course I'm going to see the Melvins if they come to town.  What I don't understand is why doesn't everybody.

Eric and I got to the Underground just in time to catch the last few songs of Weedeater.  The Underground is already crowded, as we're assaulted by the heavy, sludgy sounds of Weedeater.  I'm not sure if the audience reaction had been bad before we arrived, or if sarcasm was ruling, but the lead singer basically told everyone to fuck off before plowing into their last song.

Weedeater Setlist

Not since before the boys were born (actually it was the night before I found out we were having twins) have I seen the Melvins play with 2 drummers, but Cody is back with the band again, and the Melvins are ready to play.  Buzz looked like he was in a good move (I've never seen him use all of the stage so much).  Steve McDonald was his usual effervescent self, making it hard to determine where you should be watching - who was having the best time on stage?  The double drum opening of Billy Fish was spectacular.  It's a shame Dale and Cody weren't on risers because, even at 6"2, I was having trouble seeing them.  That mirrored rhythm is a sight to be seen....and heard.  Honeybucket was the best, as always.  It's a favorite all time song of mine, and I'd have happily come along just to hear that song.  So Fast.  So offbeat.  So Nonsensical.  So Good.  This is my 11th time seeing the Melvins, and while I don't know song names (or keep up with their extended catalogue of work) every show is a good one.  Dare I say this is one of the best I've seen.

Melvins Setlist

I've confessed to being there for the Melvins and was still in an amazement daze when Napalm Death hit the stage.  Their extremely heavy style is not one I've really been into, ever, but am always happy to give a band a listen to.  What I didn't realize was that they are English, and Barney Greenway's Birmingham accented talking voice just doesn't come close to to the sound of his singing voice.  He was into it from the start, lapping around the stage, singing like a man possessed.  Napalm Death aren't for me, and we (2 old guys with kids that need to get up for school in the morning) left after about 5 songs.  Everybody else in there were just getting warmed up, and I feel those die hard fans weren't about to be disappointed.

Napalm Death Setlist

Writing this review happens at the same time the Melvins announce another tour, this time playing with Redd Kross (again) up in Asheville in October.  I feel a road trip coming on.

The Crap Facts

This is my 517th concert.
This is my 12th concert at The Underground.
This is my 115th concert in Charlotte.
This is my 138th concert in North Carolina.
This is my 317th concert in the USA.
Weedeater are the 601st band I've seen.

This is my 11th Melvins concert.

Napalm Death are the 602nd band I've seen.

Savannah, GA

A nice sleep in before heading over to Spread Bagelry to try and relive some Montreal breakfasts.

A late-ish start to the day but it is not long before we are headed over to the Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum.  The former William Scarborough house is now home to this neat museum and garden showing the vessels used around the area over all periods of time.  Most fascinating is that this has been the sole purpose of this building for the last 30 years.  From 1878 to 1962 it was a school for African American children.  It had to be abandoned after 1962 as the Board of Education let the place go to ruin.  The Historical Society took over in 1972 helped restore the building, which the museum took control of in the mid 1990's.

2 blocks away is the SCAD Museum of Art (attached to the Savannah College of Art and Design).  A lot of modern art goes well over my head, and tis museum was a 50/50 split as to what I liked and what I thought wasn't great.  I really liked the colorful Ken Gun Min embroidery-woven paintings.  That and the black and white photos of Zanele Muholi.  Some really distinct African portraits, but the best being the black Mary sculpture, shrouded in a white cloth.  Really outstanding.

How Deep Is The Ocean by Ken Gun Min, SCAD, Savannah, GA

Umkhuseli (The Protector) by Zanele Muholi, SCAD, Savannah, GA

After a snack lunch we drive the 30 minutes out to Tybee Island.  We park and walk along the beach, and the pier, as well as a few beachside stores.  We probably spent 2 hours here.  Nice enough, but will never live up to our beloved Litchfield Beach.  On the way home we drive into Old Fort Jackson.  It takes a few moments to realize no one is here, because the fort is closed for the day (it's past 5.30pm).

A quick change in the hotel and we walk the half mile up to Public Kitchen.  There's an hour and a half wait, so we go looking elsewhere.  We walked back towards the middle of town, and found an Asian Noodle Bar.  As we were seated we got the text to say a table was available back at Public Kitchen, so we bailed and raced back for a nice, fancier meal.  It didn't disappoint.  Really great food and a great last meal in Savannah.

On the way back to the hotel we stopped for dessert at Leopold's Ice Cream.  A Savannah institution, this 106 year old store has an hour long line even at 9pm.  We decided to wait and see what the fuss was all about.  Don't get me wrong, it was some good ice cream, but not wait in line forever good.

We had a great 3 days in Savannah.  Good weather, good food, great history lessons.  Having said that, I'm not sure we'd head back there, unless we were taking someone who has never been.  I feel like we saw all we needed and probably don't need to experience it again.

Savannah, GA

We couldn't be this close to Bluffton and not catch up with Nat, so she came down and had brunch with us at Little Duck Diner.  We put our name down as she left her place and we got the call up just as she arrived 45 minutes later.  This place is jumping, and the food excellent.  The little ducks in the drinks are a nice little touch.

L,M,Nat&B, Ellis Square, Savannah, GA

L is not feeling the best (his arm is still sore, and allergies are rampant), so he heads back to the hotel while A,B& I head over and purchase tickets for the Old Town Trolley.  This jump on jump off trolley will take us to various sights around town, with commentary, and we can get out and explore as we please.  We get on at Franklin Square and the trolley takes us through the middle of town and then south to Madison Square, where we get out to see the Sorrel-Weed House.  Back on to the next stop, in the middle of Forsyth Park, after we have driven around the edge of the park.  Great spot to get out and just wander.  WE walked to the next stop for the trolley to pick us up and take us on to the Cathedral of ST John.  This beautiful old Catholic Church stands out in a beautiful city.  We spent some time inside before getting back on the trolley to ride out the rest of the afternoon.  We skipped the next 7 stops, opting just to enjoy the scenery and take in the history.  The trolley took us back down to the river, past the Pirate House and the Colonial Park Cemetery, before we got off near Chippewa Square.  L was ready to meet us then, so he walked up to meet us, we got ice cream and then walked back down towards the river to wander the stores and stalls, and find a spot for dinner.

Me, A & B, Cathedral of St John, Savannah, GA

Cathedral of St John, Savannah, GA

Cathedral of St John, Savannah, GA

We went back to the hotel before dinner and saw one of the coolest sights.  A fully stacked cargo ship was coming into port and cruised by our window.  It is ridiculous how enormous these things are.  We're on the 6th floor of the hotel and the shipped dwarfed us.  It was massive.  I can't fathom being in the middle of the ocean on one of these giant ships, just absolutely packed with goods to be imported.

Dinner was on the river at Graffito Pizza.  A really good pizza and fresh food.  We decided on beignets for dessert so walked down to Huey's.  This topped of a great, fulfilling day.  We're exhausted!  Sleep comes easily tonight.

Savannah, GA

This Spring Break we drove the boys down to Savannah for 3 nights.  It's a town that the boys and I have never been to, and A hasn't been there in over 25 years.

It's a long drive as the end of the 26 slowed down and the 95 was a crawl all the way in.  We come in over the bridge, with a great view of the city, and down to the riverfront to check in at the Cotton Sail Hilton.  We have a great view, right on the river.

We unpack and are straight into town.  Just 2 blocks away is the City Market and we stop at the Cafe at City Market for a late lunch.  Nothing exceptional about this place, except that it didn't have a wait to be seated.  After lunch we wandered aimlessly as far away as Oglethorpe Street.  We weren't sure what we were looking at, just soaking in the old town and it's beauty, but that will change tomorrow.  We ended walking along the river before taking a break before dinner.

The boys spotted Orale Tacos during our walk, so that is where we ended up for dinner.  A good meal, and fun to watch the boys practice their Spanish with the waiters.  While the boys were exhausted after dinner and went back to the hotel, A & I wandered around for another hour or so.  What we mostly found is that Savannah is a town for people who like to drink...a lot.  Holy drunkity drunk drunks!

Looking forward to tomorrow when we'll get a proper tour of the town.

Kraftwerk @ Ovens Auditorium

So what do you do on a St Patrick's Day Monday?  Go and see the German pioneers of EDM, of course!

I don't know much about Kraftwerk, but if a band is doing a 50th anniversary tour, they've go to be doing something right.  Right?  I'm still not sure.

I bought a last minute ticket and headed over to Ovens because it had been over a month since I'd seen a show.  And I need live music - I can feel it.  I'm panicked because I have nothing for certain coming up until May.  Anyway at 8pm (on the dot), 4 guys walked on stage, stood behind what looked like 4 desks and proceeded to "play" for the next 2 hours.  I say "play" because, for all I know they pressed a button, and then everything was done for the night.  As for the music, it's not my thing, but I can see where this was revolutionary at the time.  I'm glad I was there, like when I saw Daft Punk, but I'm not sure I'll ever hear another Kraftwerk song again.  Visually, it was stunning.  A video choreographed to every song and Kraftwerk's suits blending in with said videos.

At first it felt like I was in a German Contemporary Art Museum watching a video.  Everyone around me seemed interested art students, and as if they knew what was happening.  I had no idea what was going on.  But I did grow into it.  The Man Machine was familiar to me.  I really liked Neon Lights.  Geiger Counter and Radioactivity were a good follow up and Robots near the end was a good song.

Again I had a good night, but maybe not a great night.  Not what I'd usually see, but glad I went to my one and only Kraftwerk show.

Kraftwerk, Ovens Auditorium

Kraftwerk, Ovens Auditorium

Kraftwerk, Ovens Auditorium

Kraftwerk Setlist

The Crap Facts
This is my 516th concert.
This is my 5th concert at Ovens Auditorium.
This is my 114th concert in Charlotte.
This is my 137th concert in North Carolina.
This is my 316th concert in the USA.
Kraftwerk are the 600th band I've seen.

Grand Cayman Island

A quick swim in the morning and then brunch at the hotel's Catalina restaurant proceeded our outing for the day.  We had booked a 3 hour tour with Captain Marvin's.  They picked us up from the hotel, we registered at their office, and then headed over to the harbor, where about 20 of us cruised out for the afternoon, and stopped in a shallow-ish (9ft deep) part of the harbor.  We then had 40 minutes to swim around and enjoy the coral and see the fish and the occasional sting ray.  I couldn't get comfortable breathing and was out of the water pretty quickly.  A, on the other had, who had never snorkeled before, was a pro.  She barely come up for breath and had to be dragged last back on the boat.  From there we went over to a sand bar known as Sting Ray City.  It's an area where sting rays have been coming for years, as fisherman used the shallow water to dispose of fish waste.  We got in the waist deep water, and were allowed to hold a sting ray that the guide caught for us.  Way out of my comfort zone, but amazed that I had the opportunity to do this.  Something I will remember for ever.  Onwards to the north-east point in the harbor, where, once anchored, we were able to sit in the water and hold starfish.  A half hour ride back to the dock, as A & I relived the experience of today, as the sun headed towards twilight.  Once we were back at the hotel, a quick change saw us walk up towards the Kimpton, and have dinner at Coccolobo.  Tacos right beside the ocean, in this unwalled restaurant was the perfect ending to our quick trip away.

The Snorkeler, Cayman Islands

Me & a Stingray, Cayman Islands

A & I, Stingray Bay, Cayman Islands

We got up early the next morning to get just a couple of more hours by the Caribbean Sea.  But mid day came and we were packed into a taxi back to the airport.  We gave ourselves a bunch of time, not knowing what customs and immigration would be like, but we were through so quick we were able to get on an earlier flight.  Making sure we were back in plenty of time to pick up the boys from their DC trip.

Cayman Islands!  I hope we'll be back.

Grand Cayman Island

The other great part of this trip is that it coincided with my birthday (a 2nd in the Caribbean for me). We spent day 2 on Seven Mile Beach after a morning walk at said beach. Lunch was sushi and cocktails bought to us at our lounge chairs, because it was too much effort to go the 50 feet to the restaurant and order there. A had dinner booked tonight at Aqua at Camana Bay. A quick cab ride and we were seated by the water and enjoyed a magnificent seafood meal. Our Italian waitress told us how easily it was to get a visa for the island, as the population can not keep up with the hospitality demand. We met people from England, Ireland, Kashmir and the Philippines as well. I wish I knew about that 25 years ago when we were travelling.

Seven Mile Beach, Cayman Islands

Grand Cayman Island

When the opportunity arose that the boys were headed for DC with their school trip, A & I booked a few days in the Cayman Islands, so that we could have our first vacation alone since the boys were born. We dropped them at school at around 6.30am, and were boarding our flight before 9am. We had been tossing up between Montreal (we'd been last summer, but wanted to see how amazing it might be in the winter) and Grand Cayman (to sit on the beach). Grand Cayman came out the winner, and I'm so glad.

We landed, went through customs, got a cab, pre-checked in to the beautiful Hotel Indigo, and were on the beach eating lunch before 1pm. While eating lunch, our room became ready, so we went up and unpacked, then headed back to the beach club to claim a spot by the ocean under a couple of umbrellas. Eventually we headed back to the room and then up to the hotel's 10th floor, to Pom-Pom, where we had a great dinner looking over the beach as the sunset.

View from our Hotel Indigo room

Charlotte FC v Atlanta United @ Bank Of America Stadium

 

So now for 3 out of 4 seasons, we have hit the home season opener for Charlotte FC.  This year it's a mid-afternoon kick off and the weather was hot, unlike last season when we were scrambling for anything to keep us warmer.

We are sitting in the lower deck, down by the corner flag, so to sit with the Martins, who have their season tickets there.  Although down one end, still a great view.  Atlanta must have won the toss, as Charlotte was attacking towards the supporter's end in the first half.  The first half was pretty quiet and evenly poised.  People were barely back in their seats when Biel opened the scoring 4 minutes into the 2nd half.  A long ball down the middle was headed into the path of Zaha.  He looked like he was winding up to shoot, but at the last second was blocked off ,but found Biel in space inside the box who slotted the ball past Guzan.  Within 5 minutes, another long clearance was poorly dealt with by Atlanta.  Agyeman took off down the right and blasted a ball at Guzman.  The keeper could only parry the ball up, and Zaha was following throughout.  He didn't hit the volley cleanly, but put in the corner past Guzan.  Charlotte 2-0.  For the rest of the game Charlotte matched Atlanta and chances were few and far between for both teams.   Charlotte held on for the win and left the fifty odd thousand fans going home happy.  Let's hope they can keep the momentum continuing all season long.

Charlotte FC 2 (P. Biel 49', W. Zaha 54') defeated Atlanta United 0
Paid Attendance: 51,002

The Get Up Kids @ The Underground

I saw the Get Up Kids back at Riot Fest in 2014.  Never heard of them, but checked them out.  The show was fun, so to see them in a small club, and they were going to play the same album - Something To Write Home About - was a no brainer.

Anyway, Monday night came around, my concert mate bailed, and I didn't particularly want to go.  I forced myself as I hadn't been to a show yet this year.

The Underground was 3/4 full and the band kicked off just as I got into a great spot overlooking the stage (in front of the raised bar).  I never followed up with their music after Riot Fest so I was unfamiliar with the set yet again.  It was a good show, but just didn't catch my attention this time.  You could see the crowd of 30-40 somethings reliving their youth and having a blast, but their sound. a poppier-punk, was not really my thing.  After they finished playing their album, a 8 song encore was cut short by me after Stay Golden, Ponyboy.

Listen, not my favorite show, but far from the least favorite, and I'm glad I went.  Push myself back into live music after a 2 month break, hopefully inspires me to go to more shows, and stuff that I wouldn't normally see (Gary Clark Jr & Kraftwerk are 2 shows coming up that spring to mind).  Get Up Kids had a good crowd on a Monday night in Charlotte, and played a show that the crowd wanted to see.  WHo know, maybe I'll go back for the promised 50 year anniversary.

Get Up Kids Setlist

The Crap Facts

This is my 515th concert.
This is my 11th concert at The Underground.
This is my 113th concert in Charlotte.
This is my 136th concert in North Carolina.
This is my 315th concert in the USA.
This is my 2nd Get Up Kids concert.

The Jesus Lizard & Fantomex @ Orange Peel

26 years ago was the last time I saw the Jesus Lizard and if you think a 2.5 hour drive was going to stop me seeing them again, you'd be sadly mistaken.  I made the drive up to Asheville and booked a night at the Hotel Indigo, so I didn't have to turn around and drive back the same night.  

Another reason to head up to Asheville, was to see how recovery was going after Hurricane Helene last October.  And the result is heartbreaking.  Driving up past Swannanoa and Old Fort, you can still the debris in these towns (whether still laying around, or pushed to a spot near the freeway because there is no where to put so much of it).  Asheville itself is also not great.  The Biltmore Village, just outside the Biltmore entrance, looks like a warzone.  Building with out walls, mud, and debris everywhere.  The Village is closed off to road traffic and looks like a long way from reopening.  While downtown Asheville, up on the hill, looks fine, it is a ghost town.  Gone is the hustle and bustle of tourists (though it was a Tuesday night).  Shops with limited hours and just people nowhere to be seen.  This is such a great town.  A week before Christmas, you'd hope it would be a hive of activity.  It's far from it, but hopefully it will recover quickly.

I walked down to the Orange Peel via Maguro, a Japanese restaurant, where I stooped for some good sushi and a Sapporo.  Walked into the venue just as Fantomex hit the stage.  Was great to see a local band get a good size crowd.  And they didn't disappoint.  Well suited as an opener for the Jesus Lizard, Fantomex ripped through nearly a dozen rocking punk / hardcore songs.

Fantomex Setlist

I got about halfway to the stage, in front of guitarist Duane Denison, for the Jesus Lizard. Just a perfect spot. When the first drum beat was hit for the opening, Grind, David Yow was in the audience, being passed around till he he to the mixing desk. I thought that was crazy when I saw him do that, now that he's in his 60's he's just putting his life in our hands. He's be in and out of the crowd all night. It felt like the next 4 songs were put on just for me. Puss, Mouth Breather, Boilermaker & Nub - one after the other. Just brilliant. And the crowd was amped. The band sounded so good. Tight and just killing it. A third of the set was the new album, but that left plenty of nostalgia during the evening. Gladiator and Seasick were other highlights for me, and hearing Wheelchair Epidemic during the encore was amazing.  I was surprised how many people left after the encore.  The lights never came on, and no taped music came on, but people were bailing out.  Good for me.  I walked right up and stood on the barricade for the 4 song second encore. 

It was such a great show.  It's a shame they don't come around this area more often (or anywhere for that fact).  But put me down for any more Jesus Lizard shows that come through.  It was the show of the year.

The Jesus Lizard Setlist

The Crap Facts
This is my 514th concert.
This is my 4th concert at Orange Peel.
This is my 15th concert in Asheville.
This is my 135th concert in North Carolina.
This is my 314th concert in the USA.
Fantomex are the 599th band I've seen.
This is my 5th Jesus Lizard concert.

Jesus Lizard is the 600th time I've seen an American band.

Carolina Panthers v Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Bank of America Stadium

So L went on a date, so B & I decided to go and see the Panthers play the Bucs (L's a Raiders fan so he wasn't bothered).  About an hour before the game I bought some cheap seats off Stub Hub in the lower bowl on the 15 yard line.  It's cold!  but we will endure for our first NFL game in 7 years.

We had great seats and settled in for the 4pm kickoff and watched the Panthers grind away to go down 3-7 at quarter time.  2nd quarter had Bryce Young scrambling for a touchdown right in front of us.  The crowd went wild.  Panthers went into half time with a 13-10 lead, which could have been better had we not missed 2 fields goals.  One of those misses came after a 3rd down that looked like Thielen scored a touchdown, but was ruled out.  Even after seeing the replays, I can't see the fault in the play.  Looks to me like both feet were in when he caught it.  Left the home crowd pretty pissed.  19-10 half time would have been more comfortable.  23-10 would have made all the difference.

B& I, Panthers v Buccaneers, Bank of America Stadium

B & I headed for the concessions with every other person in the stadium.   A new sweater for him, as the poor kid was underprepared for the cold wind in the stadium.  Also a thermos of hot chocolate for both of us.  Not to drink.  Just to hold for the next quarter at least.

3rd quarter was a bit of a slugfest with scores ending even at 16-10 to us.  The Panthers were attacking our end again in the last quarter.  When Thielen did score with 2:35 left, a 23-20 result was a possibility, and the crowd were pumped for it.  Unfortunately 3 1st downs got Tampa in kicking range, and McLaughlin hit a 51 yarded with 30 seconds left, that sent the game into overtime.

You could see when McLaughlin missed a 55 yarder in overtime, the Panthers were revved up.  When Young found Thielen for a 16 yard gain, putting the Panthers close to field goal range, the crowd went nuts.  We were on our feet for the next paly when Hubbard burst trough again, only for the ball to be stripped away and recovered by the Bucs.  When the Panthers gave up 38 yards and the Bucs got to the 10 yard line, the game only needed the following McLaughlin 30 yard field goal for the crowd to leave disappointed.  Another loss for the Cardiac Cats.

While the Panthers have not had a good season, there were some positives to come out of this game, and hopefully the rest of the season will improve and hopes can be held high for next year.  We'll be back

Tampa Buccaneers 26 (M. Evans, B. Irving touchdowns; C. McLaughlin 2/2 extra points, 4/5 field goals) defeated Carolina Panthers 23 (B. Young, A. Thielen touchdowns; A. Pineiro 2/2 extra points, 3/5 field goals).

Paid Attendance: 69,214

 

Bonnie Raitt & The James Hunter Six @ Ovens Auditorium

Tonight is the opportunity for A to tick a performer off her bucket list.  I'm pretty sure I don't know a Bonnie Raitt song, but I'm always up for a show (and a midweek date night at that).   That in combination with the fact that Raitt is donating proceeds to those that suffered from Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina, makes tonight a no brainer.

We got to our seat half way through opening act, The James Hunter Six.  What a mistake!  We definitely should have been there from the beginning.  We walked in as he started Okie Dokie Stomp.  A rockin' bluesy number was excellent, and his voice - sterling.  Then he spoke.  He sounded like a Cockney.  How does the sound of a Mississippi bluesman come out of that small English body?  We got the last 20 minutes of his rockabilly/blues/R&B set and it was awesome.  A great cover - Percy Mayfield's Two Years of Torture was well received by the crowd, and his whole set had the crowd pumped for Bonnie Raitt.

James Hunter Six Setlist

A 20 minute set change before Bonnie Raitt and her band strode onto stage to thunderous applause.  Raitt then gave a masterclass in blues-rock, both vocally and with her guitar playing.  When early on a crowd member wished her a happy birthday, I was amazed to find 2 weeks ago she turned 75.  Her voice was perfect.  Every note hit the sweet spot.  As predicted, I didn't know any of her music, but it stop me getting into a fantastic set.  I know she paid tribute to John Hiatt and John Prine with a couple of songs.  And it sounded like she suffered during Covid.  Not only losing friends, but the loss of time and touring opportunities played on her mind.  Her version of Chris Smither's Love Me Like A Man was great (even though I don't know the original).  she did a couple of solo acoustic songs, which showed a couple of flaws in some guitar playing, but beautiful songs nonetheless.  Raitt not only supported western North Carolina tonight, she did go out of her way to mention the organizations that were being funded from tonight's show.  Overall a great show.  It always is when you don't know a performer, and they make you sit up and take notice all night.  A thought it was amazing, so always an added bonus.  Tonight I have "discovered" 2 artists, whom I'd happily see again.

Bonnie Raitt Setlist

The Crap Facts

This is my 513th concert.
This is my 4th concert at Ovens Auditorium..
This is my 112th concert in Charlotte.
This is my 134th concert in North Carolina.
This is my 313th concert in the USA.
James Hunter Six is the 597th band I've seen.
Bonnie Raitt is the 598th band I've seen.

Les Savy Fav & Ultra Lights @ The Earl

I am getting to an age where I still love seeing shows, but getting motivated to see them is getting harder and harder.  This is the case tonight.  Les Savy Fav are a bucket list band, but Atlanta is as close as they get.  And when a three and a half hour drive turns into as 6 hour drive, I really question what I am doing.  There were 2 occasions where I was just stopped on the 85 for 45 minutes at a time, and considered turning around and going home.  I'm so glad I didn't!

The Earl is a new venue for me, and is in the cool East Atlanta Village.  It looks like a street where it all happens.  Late night bars, restaurants and just people out and about.  But tonight I get to the venue just in time to line up through the narrow corridor, to the back room, for Ultra Lights to start 5 minutes later.  While waiting in line, Les Savy walked past, much to the crowds cheer.

Ultra Lights are a local band, and seemed pretty stoked to be playing tonight.  A good sized crowd in the small room (Dive bar?  maybe) were in early and saw Ultra Lights put in a good 35 minute set to warm up the crowd.

Within 25 minutes a white-wigged Tim Harrington was on stage, pulling out all the dance moves to the lead-on song, before the rest of the band joined him.  As the guitarist's pick slid up the strings and Harrington burst into "He's a bad motherfucker....16 pairs of shoes in his closet....", the wig was quickly lost, the suit jacket dispersed of, but the dancing ramped up a couple of notches - band and crowd - as LSF opened with Blackouts on Thursday.  From the start the band were on fire, and Harrington spent as much time in the crowd as on stage.  And when you could take your eyes of him in the crowd, you'd see a tight band having a great time on stage.  The music reflected that.  The sound and songs are great.  I'm not familiar with a lot of their songs, but Reprobate's Resume was rocking, as was Patty Lee.  To finish the set the notes of The Sweat Descends rang out to the joy of everyone.  You could tell people had been having a good night but this song took it up a notch.  Again Harrington was out in the crowd, and was this the song he left and sung in the front room (? - I can't quite remember).  The band left the stage, leaving behind a fired up crowd.  It wasn't long before Les Savy Fav were back for more.  The 4 song encore crescendoed when in the middle of Dirty Knails, Harrington got everyone on the floor, before busting out for a banging finish.  I'm not sure how he did it, but by the time I bought the Oui LP, Harrington was a the exit, thanking everyone for coming.

My cousin Moz gave me a digital copy of Inches in 2009, and it is an album that gets listened to all the way through quite often.  Les Savy Fav are now a bucket list band I can cross off, but I'd happily sit in 6 hours of traffic to see them again - any day.

Les Savy Fav Setlist

The Crap Facts
This is my 512th concert.
The Earl is the 140th venue I've seen a concert at.
This is my 2nd concert in Atlanta.
This is my 2nd concert in Georgia.
This is my 312th concert in the USA.
Ultra Lights are the 595th band I've seen.

Les Savy Fav is the 596th band I've seen.

Les Savy Fav are the 600th time I've seen a band in the US.

Starcrawler @ Repo Record

Early start.  Starcrawler playing a morning show at Repo at 10am on a Saturday.  And free!  I'm in.

I was introduced to Starcrawler at Punk Rock Bowling earlier this year and enjoyed their set, so I thought I'd come and see what they could do in a smaller venue.

I got there as the doors opened and about 50 or so people headed into the back of the store, where they'd cleared a space for the 5 piece to play.  Starcrawler had played at Cat's Cradle the previous night and were headed to Atlanta to play tonight.  I love the daytime gig.  I wish we could get some more bands to do this in Charlotte.  

Rocking from the first note of She Gets Around, Starcrawler played as it were a regular gig, and the early morning crowd were into it.  I Love LA was played early in the set - I remember that from May.  And somewhere midset singer, Arrow de Wilde pulled out her backbend.  I really liked No More Pennies, Roadkill and their cover of Pet Sematary.  16 songs in 45 minutes.  Yeah I'll take that at 10am before I go and get my groceries.  Starcrawler finished the set with a rocking Chicken Woman, which saw guitarist, Henri Cash, stride through the crowd, jump up on the front register and blaze away from the rest of the band.

Great show.  Better than Punk Rock Bowling, mostly because the energy transferred better in a small closed in venue.  It's not often I see Repo do in-stores, but I will always keep an eye out for future shows.

Starcrawler, Repo Record, Charlotte, NC

Starcrawler Setlist

The Crap Facts

This is my 511th concert.
Repo Record is the 139th venue I've seen a concert at.
This is my 111th concert in Charlotte.
This is my 133rd concert in North Carolina.
This is my 311th concert in the USA.
This is my 2nd Starcrawler concert.