Category Archives: Matt Palermo

Dec11

Ludo – St. Louis, MO: The Pageant 12-10-11

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Band: Ludo

Venue: The Pageant

Location: St. Louis, MO

Tickets: $16

Date: 12-10-2011

Sometimes I have a tendency to exaggerate.  This is not one of those times.  This concert was amazing.  One of the best concerts I’ve been to.  I mean, I don’t even know if I can speak coherently about this concert with all the Christmas I had coursing through me.  Exhibit A:

A Very Ludo Christmas Stage

Garland, fake snow, angels and snowmen were everywhere on the stage.  It was like Christmas decided it needed to have a show to spread Christmas joy.  Christmas won last night.  It won in a big way.

And Ludo was all right.  I guess.

Okay.  They were pretty awesome.  I’ve seen them three times (this year), but this was definitely my favorite show.  Maybe it was the atmosphere, maybe it was the audience, but they were undeniably “on” last night.

The show began with Santa coming out to light up the Christmas stage, with Ludo spilling out stage left.  The crowd went wild.  Andrew Volpe (lead vocals, guitar) grabbed his guitar and sauntered (for real, he sauntered) up to the microphone.  Tim Convy (moog, keys, vocals) took his place in front of the fireplace decorated with stockings for all the band members (though Tom Cantillon’s, the touring bassist, just had a gym sock with his name written on it) with a wave and a bow for the audience.  Matt Palermo (drums, vocals) sat down, putting his earplugs in and smiling at the crowd.  Tim Ferrell (guitar, vocals), shorn of his magnificent locks, waved at the audience as he adjusted his guitar to sit comfortably.  And, before the crowd could bask too much in the glory of Ludo, they began with “Part 1: Broken Bride.”

We went crazy.  I mean, everyone in the pit was belting out the lyrics, hugging each other and basically clapping our hands in glee.  It was wonderful.

Ludo at A Very Ludo Christmas

An admittedly blurry photo.  It’s not great.  But I think it conveys the feeling of a Ludo concert.  Excitement, bright colors and Andrew and Tim C. (the blur at the left of the photo) going nuts.  Tim C. doesn’t stay still for any length of time (especially when he’s being accosted by an inflatable snowman.  Yeah, that happened…TWICE).  Andrew is always engaging the crowd with strategically placed pursing of the lips and occasional winks.

So, they started on a really high note.  And kept going higher.  What might have been one of the more exciting moments for me was seeing “Laundry Girl.”  I never thought I would get the chance to see that song live.  And, of course, when I heard the opening chords, my phone was out and I recorded it.  The video was recorded oddly, but I hope you can forgive that after the first minute or so.

Then, after more rocking, Andrew took the stage alone for “The Horror Of Our Love.”

Andrew Volpe singing "The Horror Of Our Love."

As usual, Andrew singing “The Horror Of Our Love” is always a moving part of the concert.  In the middle of the song, a girl fainted in the pit.  The Ludo fans surrounding her helped her get out of there, so kudos to everyone who helped her and hope she’s okay.  I’m inclined to agree with Andrew’s assessment.  She fainted because of all the Christmas.  There was an awful lot of it, folks.

The next big moment (for me, at least) was when they played “Save Our City.”  Listen to that song.  It’s the only way for you to put this next story in context.  We’re all singing along and going crazy when we get to this part in the song:

“The mayor’s ruined head.  The boy steps to the window.  Cries out from the ledge to the people below.  There’s a time to pray and there’s a time to fight, anything can be a weapon if you’re holding it right.  Defend what is yours.  They will not take our souls.  It’s time now to rise and fight.”

And, of course, we’re all way into it.  Then with that brief pause and the words “Save our city” (at the 4:49 mark in the song), a confetti cannon goes off and showers the people in the pit.  It was so great.  That high moment of tension and triumph in the song, and as we’re all screaming about how we’re going to be victorious over zombies, it’s raining confetti.  Could there have been a better moment?

Why, yes.  Yes there could’ve been.

After the last song (don’t quote me on this, but I think it was “Good Will Hunting By Myself”), Ludo threw presents into the crowd.  They were chucking them to the people in the pit, the balcony, the bar, everywhere.  And I’d like to take the opportunity to thank the friend I went to the concert with, Brett Zeiler.  He managed to snag a couple presents, one for him and one for me.  His was a flower ornament.  Mine was substantially cooler (thanks Brett).

Bruce Springsteen Tape, still in wrapping paper, with some confetti from A Very Ludo Christmas.

So, yeah.  THAT’S pretty awesome.  But the awesome didn’t end there for me.  After waiting in line for forever (probably 20 minutes) for the meet and greet in the merch room, we got to talk to the band.  And I had a stroke of brilliance.  Obviously I wanted them to sign something.  But what?  Answer:

The Allyson's Setlist Shirt signed by Tom Cantillon, Andrew Volpe, Tim Ferrell, Tim Convy and Matt Palermo.

I got them to sign my Allyson’s Setlist t-shirt.  You can’t see my face right now, but it’s the face of an excited person.  This put the icing on an already iced and delicious cake.  I can officially retire last night as having been a wonderful, wonderful evening.

Now.  I wanted everyone to have an idea of what Ludo played at the concert.  However, I can’t remember the order the songs were played in.  I mean, I had better things to do than take meticulous notes.  But, here is what my memory tells me occurred:

“Part 1: Broken Bride”

“Hum Along”

“Go-Getter Greg”

“Topeka”

“Lake Pontchartrain”

“Rotten Town/Skeletons On Parade”

“Laundry Girl”

“Anything For You”

“Girls On Trampolines”

“The Horror Of Our Love”

“Save Our City”

“Whipped Cream”

“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”*

“Jingle Bells”*

“Silent Night”*

“I Wish You A Merry Christmas”*

“A Very Ludo Christmas”

“Love Me Dead”

“Good Will Hunting By Myself”

And now!  The score!

Concert: A+

Venue: A

Drink Prices: B

Audience: A+**

Overall: A+

*Group sing-alongs.  Andrew, Tim F. and Tim C. came out into the audience and played for us.  ’Twas wonderful and put everyone into the Christmas spirit.  Even though we didn’t follow Andrew’s directions very well…

** I can’t describe how awesome the audience was here.  You know, Ludo makes great music full of wonderful lyrics and meaningful instrumentation, but just as great is their ability to inspire such loyalty in a crowd.  There wasn’t a single person I was standing next to who wasn’t belting out the words to every song, raising their fists in the air, or dancing with me when “Girls On Trampolines” came on.  Ludo is the type of band that actively encourages audience participation, and the audience is always pushed to answer the call.  It makes Ludo shows some of the best to see.  If you ever have the chance, take it.  You won’t regret it.

Nov27

Tommy & The High Pilots – St. Louis, MO: Firebird 11-25-11

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Band: Tommy & The High Pilots

Venue: The Firebird

Location: St. Louis, MO

Tickets: $12

Date: 11-25-2011

This show was AMAZING.  And sure.  I hadn’t seen The High Pilots since August so I was more than a little excited, but I don’t think it was my imagination.  The crowd went wild for them, and Tom, Mike, Steve and Matt went crazy for us.  It was electric to be in that audience.  I was standing right in front of Steve (an awesome place to be considering how great he is with the crowd) and had a clear view of Tom (and his new blond hair).

First, let me take this opportunity to thank The High Pilots for playing my second favorite song of theirs that I was sure I’d never see in concert: “Lonely Place.”  FYI, if you click on the link, you’ll see a video I recorded.  Ignore my bad vocals along with Tom’s.  How could I not show my appreciation and sing along?  Oh, and I haven’t edited it yet, so it still looks like it was recorded on an iPhone (which it was).  Seriously, I think they knew how much I loved this song and they played it as a gift to me.  That’s how I’m looking at it.

Then, in the sweetest surprise possible, The High Pilots PLAYED A NEW SONG.  THEY PLAYED A NEW SONG.  And it was great.  It’s called “Young and Hungry” and I loved it.  I recorded it but, out of respect to the boys, I’m not going to post it.  Just trust me when I tell you that it was great.  Oh, and Mike, Matt and Steve assured me that their new album should be out sometime this coming Spring.  From what I heard at the concert, the wait will be worth it.

And I did, of course, talk to them after their set.  Matt and Mike complimented my coat in a pair of adorable accents (the coat has since been nominated for best piece in my wardrobe…it’ll win in a landslide.  The election is rigged.), Tom talked with me about the new song, and Steve won hero of the year.  After they did not, unfortunately, have my size in a t-shirt, I settled on getting the show posters that I had not yet acquired.  Having already purchased three High Pilots shirts, Steve gave me the posters for free (after telling me appreciatively that he saw me singing along to every song…I almost swooned).

The two High Pilots posters that Steve gave me.

By the way, I was totally at the Springfield show on the red poster.  That’s where I saw Antennas Up for the first time.

Of course, The High Pilots were opening for Ha Ha Tonka.  And, rest assured, Ha Ha Tonka was also splendid.  I bought my first Ha Ha Tonka shirt to celebrate their awesomeness.

My Ha Ha Tonka shirt.

And, for those of you who see me this week, don’t be surprised if I’m wearing it.

Now, I want to get serious for a minute.  The High Pilots are one of my favorite bands (seriously, probably top 2).  I love their music.  It’s always a surprise.  For every gentle and romantic lyric you get in Tom’s crooning voice like:

“Maybe she’s someone I’ve made up.  Maybe she’s somebody true.  But I won’t rest until I know you.” (“Lonely Place”)

You also get the following line from their most popular song, “Where To Start”:

“I’ll be depressed when I am 40, getting horny, having no sex.  Can’t catch a break, I’m too damn dirty.  Wish I was 16.”

Like I said.  It’s a surprise.

But it’s even more than the music.  I love that they care about the fans.  I love that they take the time to talk to those fans at their shows (I’ve harassed them enough to know this is the case, and they’ve never been less than delightfully charming).  I love that they’re easy and relaxed on stage, and will banter with the crowd.  I love that their performance isn’t about US, the audience, admiring THEM, the band.  It’s an exchange of ideas.  It’s a give and take.  The audience feeds them the energy, and they throw it back at us.  That seems like something every band should do in a live performance, but few that I’ve seen do it as skillfully as The High Pilots.  I think it’s fair to say that I’m a fan and I’ll be staying that way.

And, of course, there was the added benefit of seeing Tim Convy at the show (moog, keys and vocals for Ludo, for those of you who don’t know…and if you didn’t know, shame be upon ye).  I took an insanely blurry and dark photo with him and had the following conversation:

Tim: “Are you having a good time?”

Me: “Yeah!  I’m loving it.  Oh, by the way, I’ll be at ‘A Very Ludo Christmas.’”

Tim: “Really?  Me too.”

Me and Tim Convy from Ludo. He was wearing an awesome cardigan. FYI.

He’s hilarious.  He can’t help it.  He also told me that the t-shirts for “A Very Ludo Christmas” were going to be a T-Rex wearing a Santa Claus hat.  That sound you just heard was me counting out the dollars I’m going to be spending on merch.

That show should be epic.  And, now that I’ve droned on about pretty much everything on my brain this fine but chilly evening, here is the score:

Concert: A+

Venue: A

Drink Prices: B+*

Audience: A-

Overall: A

*Funny story about the drink prices.  We went to the bar and ordered four drinks.  The bartender tells us the total is $34.  We stare, astonished that the drinks were pretty much $9 each.  She then says the total was closer to $22.  Oh, math.  Why have you forsaken us?

 

Oct31

Best Creepy Song Quotes

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Happy Halloween, you little ghoulies.

I hope you had a good weekend dressed up in your costumes and eating candy and doing nothing else that would make anyone blush or pretend to not hear so we don’t run screaming to the cops.

I know I’ve given you some playlists designed to get you in a creepy mood, but I decided that wasn’t enough.  So, here are my favorite creepy song quotes.  Feel free to chime in if you agree or disagree.  But I’m right. Always.

Fought and fell for our great king we burned alive and boiled /  The dragon, red and wrathful calls, we rise and march once more / Cursed in death, we starve for flesh / Our skin is cooked and curled / We’ll eat our kin and smash them in / In Hell, we’ll grind their bones. – Save Our City by Ludo

I’m a killer / Cold and wrathful / Silent sleeper / I’ve been inside your bedroom / I’ve murdered half the town / Left you love notes on their headstones / I’ll fill the grave yard / Until I have you. – Horror of Our Love by Ludo

I’ve got a / Taste for blood / Leave the weak / Leave the young / I’ve got a / Taste for blood / I’m walking out / Without you / You will kill / Or be killed / It’s about / Progress / I’ve got a / Taste for blood. – Plans by Bloc Party

Ply her heart / With gold and silver / Take your sweetheart down to the river / Dash her on the paving stones / It may break your heart / To break her bones but / Someone’s got to do the culling / Of the fold. – Culling of the Fold by the Decemberists

Don’t hold out for rescue / None can hear your call / ‘Til I have wrest and wrecked you / Behind these fortress walls. – Margaret in Captivity by the Decemberists

And that’s how I came / Your humble narrator / To be living so easy and free / Expect that you think that I should be haunted / But it never really bothers me / All right. – The Rake’s Song by the Decemberists

Right from the start i was stabbed in the heart / Didn’t know i wasn’t breathing / Didn’t know i had been bleeding / Open my door thought I was alone / but someone was hiding /In the dark room in my home. – Creeper by Islands

In the back of my mind / I want to do bad things / I want to be unkind / When I’m in my room / I love the shadows / Of my bad bones / I have thoughts I won’t share / Because I don’t think I could bear to face you / With the lights on / I feel evil creeping in. -I Feel Evil Creeping In by Islands

Of course, there are also some good musicals you should think about.  Nightmare Before Christmas, Repo! The Genetic Opera and Evil Dead the Musical, to name a few.

Oh, and remember!  The contest ends tomorrow.  I’ve had some pretty sweet entries, and I want to make sure everyone has the opportunity to enter!  Send me your best song titles, people.  That’s the only way to win.

New Dance Card goes up tomorrow…are you ready for November?  I’m getting pumped.

And with that, good night and good luck.  Hope you survive the evening.

Oct2

Tommy & the High Pilots – Springfield, MO: Outland Ballroom, August 23, 2011

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Band: Tommy & the High Pilots

Venue: Outland Ballroom

Location: Springfield, MO

Tickets: $3

Date: 8-23-11

Tom's setlist for the show.

No.  Tom does not get credit for excellent penmanship. But I am definitely cutting him a lot of slack for giving the setlist to me and for being awesome enough to recognize me at the concert.  I’ve seen Tommy & the High Pilots 4 times now, and he recognized me.  For real.  My giddiness was hard to disguise but, in an effort to contain my fan-girl ardor, I only squealed when he was out of earshot (I think?).

Then Matt Palermo (drums) talked to me after the show and sold me my third High Pilots shirt.  He was great.  Then Mike Cantillon (vocals/guitar/keyboard) talked in a British accent (quite a credible one, might I add).  Then Steve Libby (bass) did his impressively effective crowd-participation move (I have never seen an audience turn down his enthusiastic demand for clapping…EVER).

You know what I love almost as much as good music?  Bands with good personalities.  Tommy & the High Pilots have that.  In spades.  Headed by Tom Cantillon (vocals/guitar), these four gentlemen are fun to watch, fun to talk to, and amazing performers.  And Tom informed me that they’ll be working on a new album that will be better than anything they’ve released yet.  Hearing this news, I clapped my hands with glee thus reducing my cool factor by a minimum of 15 points.

The only downside to this concert was that I didn’t get to hear arguably my favorite song “The Limit”.  Outland made them wrap it up a little earlier than we would’ve liked (whatever last call).  The bartender was also a little surly in hustling us out the doors.  Understandable, of course.  It was a Tuesday night and I’m sure he had things he would rather be doing.  But certain comments should never be made to female customers, and it was pretty uncool.  Thus, the venue (though I personally love the atmosphere at Outland and have NEVER had this problem at other concerts I’ve attended there) got a lower grade than I had anticipated.

Everything else was stupendous.  The audience was there to have a good time, and the opening acts (Antennas Up and Heypenny) were both energetic and FUN.  I’ll do their performances justice in another post, as I feel they deserve your undivided attention.

If you haven’t listened to any High Pilots songs, what better place to begin than “Where to Start”.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9CplYkz7QY

Also, check out their website http://thehighpilots.com/  And, if you’re converted by the time November rolls around, come to a concert.  More details to follow.

Concert: A+

Venue: B

Drink Prices: A

Audience: A-

Overall: A

PS: If you’re wondering what the fourth song is on the setlist, it’s “Sun Burns Out”.  I was at the concert and I still had trouble deciphering it.  Thought I’d save you the trouble of buying a code-breaking encyclopedia.  You’re welcome.