Tag Archives: concert review

Feb20

Man Man – St. Louis, MO: The Firebird 2-18-13

Posted on February 20, 2013 by allysonssetlist

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Band: Man Man

Venue: The Firebird

Location: St. Louis, MO

Tickets: $16

Date: 2-18-2013

4/5 Man Man members. From left to right: Honus Honus, S. Murphy, T. Moth and Pow Pow.

I was never intentionally misled about what a Man Man concert was. I was told that a Man Man concert would be raucous, a tad rambunctious. Maybe even a little boisterous.

And all of those words describe the concert. They just don’t describe it enough. The concert was a sensational mix of loud colors, loud sounds and a band that knows how to play the crowd flawlessly.

Before we jump in with a concert review, allow me to give you a bit of background. Man Man has been labeled an experimental rock group, and maybe there’s some truth in that. I mean, more than a few times you get the full impact of their eccentricities (example: drummer Pow Pow had a magic orange toolbox full of maracas, kazoos, a feather and what we’re pretty sure was one of the missing crystal skulls), but they are more than an experiment. They are the result of genre smashing, neon colors and the gentleman’s sport of tennis. It goes without saying that they are Men Men after my own heart.

Having arrived two hours early, my brother and I snagged a most-coveted location: right in front of Pow Pow’s drum setup. And that was a fantastic place to be. I even made it into one of Honus Honus’ pics of the audience. Check this out. Recognize the girl on the right? Me either. I’m far front left.

Once Man Man took the stage (after two excellent opening acts, Damian Suomi and Murder by Death), I think the audience went a little wild. The place was hopping all through the set. I’ve got bruises on my knees from being pushed into the stage and I didn’t notice until the drive home. We were all jumping and screaming and watching each band member haphazardly and lovingly play their respective instruments. And the way they stare out at the audience…it’s like they’re daring you to sit still and glare at them. When they’re playing, that’s impossible. They never pause between songs, they don’t exchange pleasantries. They don’t need to. The first song either scares you out of the house or gets you in the bedroom. Why waste time wooing you?

The set itself was a brilliant mix of old and new, giving us time to belt out our favorites and learn that their next album will be eagerly awaited (that sentence was really toned down…eagerly sounds better than anxiously awaiting, hoping the next meteor won’t be striking before the album comes out because that would be a natural disaster on too many levels and I can’t figure out how this sentence should end so I’ll end it with FLAIR!). They played hard, they played well and I’m planning on seeing this band as many times as distance and their schedules will allow. Here’s the Setlist (bestowed upon us by Brown Sugar):

Man Man Setlist

Pink Wonton*

Paul’s*

Against The Peruvian Monster

Bangkok Necktie

Van Helsing Boombox

Life Fantastic

Black Mission Goggles (interspersed with Doo Right)

Encore:

Sarspirillsa (first 30 seconds of vid)

You know, the night was best summed up when I was chatting with one of the band members. While I was getting him (Murphy) to sign my shirt, we saw Honus rolling around on the ground with the girl he was taking a picture with. Laughing, I asked Murphy,

“How do you guys handle him?”

He smiled and said,

“Easy. We’re all as bad as him.”

And don’t we just love that?

Concert: A+

Venue: A+

Drink Prices: B

Audience: A+

Overall: A+

*This is a new song!

Oct8

Tommy & The High Pilots – Springfield, MO: The Outland 10-7-12

Posted on October 8, 2012 by allysonssetlist

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Band: Tommy & The High Pilots

Venue: The Outland

Location: Springfield, MO

Tickets: $3

Date: 10-7-12

Tommy & The High Pilots at The Outland Ballroom. From left to right: Steve Libby, Matt Palermo and Tom Cantillon.

First, I’d like to say that I am not stalking this band. It’s their own fault for (a) playing near enough that I can see them frequently and (b) inspiring manic enthusiasm in their fans.

Second, if you weren’t at The Outland last night, you missed a great show. As a wonderful surprise, The High Pilots actually played last and it was worth the wait.

Shall I count the ways?

Their song selection was spot on, as usual (though I really need to remember to request “The Limit” next time…haven’t seen that song performed since last November). They had a mix of covers, old stuff and new stuff. They’ve got a knack for playing sweetly moving songs then sweet songs designed to make you move.

I’ve decided to give you a retelling of the concert. In this story, you are me but I’m not you. Because I like being me and you will too. Here’s how it was:

While you’re savoring the last few strains of “Stand By Me,” the bands opening number, they move onto “Round N Round,” and it is impossible to keep still.

Your blood’s pumping, you’re smiling at Tom’s antics and they start playing “On The Line.” You look around at the audience and you see a couple of their fans closing their eyes and swaying to the music. Then you laugh when Tom introduces “Bluesy Floozy” as a song about a bitch who was a floozy.

They announce they’re going to play something new. You’re excited and scared. What happens is wonderful. They play a song called “Broken Down.” It’s sad and beautiful and you’re mad at yourself for not recording the song so you can listen to it until your iPhone tells you it’s time to move on (then you find the song on YouTube, so you don’t worry about it). Then it’s cover time.

“This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody)” by the Talking Heads. Tom’s voice is exactly right for the song. It’s a moment of clarity and the bar seems to be a little quieter. Except for the girl standing behind you. She’s a bit noisy. Talking at a concert in front of the stage seems like a weird place to talk, but maybe the band can’t hear her.

Tom announces that it’s another new song. You peeked at Mike’s setlist so you’d be prepared for this song. Because this song has been haunting you for weeks. You record “Devil To Pay” and proceed to listen to nothing but that song for the next day and a half. You also notice when watching the video that Tom definitely noticed the talkative girl. He shushes and gently chastises her. This has no effect.

They play another new song. “Here In My Hands.” You’re impressed with it, but know that it will take a few more listens before you can fully absorb it. The excitement of “Devil To Pay” hasn’t worn off yet.

Then it’s time for a real crowd-pleaser. Matt comes to the front of the stage, and they start on “Lorraine.” This song is about a prostitute. You cheerfully belt out the chorus and demand to know where your money’s gone. In this case, the answer’s the merch table.

Then they conclude with their most famous song. “Where To Start” takes you through troubling times, with the lesson that being in love is enough. You smile at that message and are delighted that the audience seems to know this song. You’ve all got this.

But wait! There’s time for an encore! They whip out a U2 cover of “Desire.” Tom comes down into the audience (not a terribly crowded one, but it’s still great) and the bar really gets into the song. Tom sits down in the middle of it, and chats with us. It was an energetic and well-executed cover that still sounded like The High Pilots. That is the sign of a great cover.

Then the concert is over. You snag a setlist, talk to the band members, buy another shirt (because 4 wasn’t enough…you needed 5) and tell them goodbye. You get hugs from everyone, excitedly hear that the new album is tentatively scheduled to be released at the end of February and walk out of the venue, pleased with the way this evening has gone.

The end.

Okay. Here’s the scoop. It was a great show, even if the turnout was small. This band deserves a huge audience with people lined up to see them. They’re worth it. I’ll support them always because I love their music and they will always deliver. They keep getting better, they’re great guys and I’m positive you should never play pool with them for money.

The setlist for the evening and my new shirt.

And, now that I took you through the entire concert, I’ll give you the score:

Concert: A

Venue: A

Drink Prices: A-

Audience: C+*

Overall: A

*As mentioned previously, a girl was talking THROUGH THE ENTIRE CONCERT. It’s one thing to talk at the bar or the back of the room, but she was close enough to the stage that the band heard her. They tried to get her to stop. She refused. To this girl, I have a message:

I don’t know who you are. I don’t know what you want. If you are looking for ransom, I can tell you I don’t have money. But what I do have are a very particular set of skills; skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you. If you never come back to a High Pilots show, that’ll be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not pursue you. But if you do, I will look for you, I will find you, and I will spill a drink on you.

Aug14

Tommy & The High Pilots – St. Louis, MO: The Firebird 8-12-12

Posted on August 14, 2012 by allysonssetlist

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Band: Tommy & The High Pilots

Venue: The Firebird

Location: St. Louis, MO

Tickets: $13 ($15 at door)

Date: 8-12-12

“Say everyone else was shitty, but Mike was great.” – Mike Cantillon

You know how you have that one band that you’ll listen to only when you’re in a specific mood, because their music is really only one dimensional?

Tommy & The High Pilots is not that band.

Tommy & The High Pilots. From left to right: Steve Libby, Matt Palermo’s arms, Tom Cantillon and Mike Cantillon. Photo courtesy the wonderful Nicole.

On Sunday, August 12, 2012, Nicole (one of my friends who has been in a lot of these posts with me…she’s cool like that) and I drove up to St. Louis to see The High Pilots. While driving, we had a discussion about why we loved this band and were willing to drive 3 hours one-way to see them. We concluded that it’s because their music is brilliantly everyday. And I don’t mean that in the sense of “it’s trite and like everything else.” I mean that their music is applicable to every minute of your life because they have music that makes every minute of your life better.

Feeling sad? There’s a song for that. Feeling happy? There’s a song for that. Horny? Triumphant? Contemplative?

They cover a lot of ground. But you already knew I loved their music. And their live performances always deliver up the goods.

“And I lust you. My grandma once told me that it takes 10 years for lust to become love…and I’m lusting the shit out of all of you.” -Tom Cantillon

First, I think it’s important to note how wonderful these guys make the sound check. I mean, Nicole and I were shifting about impatiently, wanting the show to start, and the guys are great about making the sound check something fun to watch and listen to. You really have to admire that.

Second, their set wasn’t long enough. This is my biggest consistent complaint about their shows. I never get the chance to see them when they don’t get cut off at 8 songs. 8 songs goes by fast. TOO fast. It feels like we’re cut off when they start hitting their groove.

Of course, they also happen to be great performers. They have memorable chemistry with the audience, and with each other. They frequently toss grins to one another and to the crowd. It makes them charming and irresistible. I kept hearing one of the girls in front of me, both of whom had never seen or heard the band before, say:

“Tommy, you are flawless. You are flawless.”

Without a doubt, their live performance always captures new fans and keeps them.

And yeah, they were on fire. I’ve seen them 6 times now (not that I’ve been counting) and I would say this is the best they’ve sounded. It might have been the venue, the crowd, the planet’s alignment. All I know is they were great. Despite some technical difficulties (like the mics not working at the end of the first song), the band had their act together. Good show, gents. Good show.

“Life’s full of ups and downs. When you’re happy, BE happy.” -Matt Palermo

From left to right: Nicole, Matt Palermo, me.

The High Pilots have been teasing us with talk of a new album for a while now. Luckily, the boys played some new songs to whet our appetite. And yeah. It was successful. Here’s a really good video of one of their new songs, “Devil To Pay” from their show at the Roxy in June.

Just listen to those lyrics.

“Tell me. Do you love me in the worst way still? Don’t ask me, ‘Do I need you?’ ‘Cause I plead you. And I know, you know, I do…Tell me. Do you love me in the worse way still? Don’t ask me, ‘Do I hold you?’ ’Cause I told you. And I know, you know, I will.”

I’ve always been a person first attracted to the lyrics of a song, and I can safely say that these give me chills. And when Tom kicks in with the guitar?!? It slays me non-lethally every time.

Safe to say this kid is looking forward to the new album anxiously. And I would like “Devil To Pay” to be released as a single sometime in the nowish. Cool?

“Don’t touch my cocktail. EEEEEEYAH. EEEEEEYAH.” -Steve Libby

Steve Libby is…the Most Interesting Man in the World.

The bottom line is that these guys are wonderful performers, musicians and guys. As well as I can know them from bothering them at shows, I can say that they’re sweet and earnest.

My mom loves this band, my friends love this band. There is no reason these guys shouldn’t be national icons.

So. Let’s make that happen.

Concert: A

Venue: A+

Drink Prices: NA*

Audience: A

Overall: A

*If you’ll believe it, we didn’t drink at this show. For some reason, a 3 hour drive makes me not want any alcohol in my system…I’m weird that way. Anyone want to let me know how prices are? Have they changed appreciably since the last concert I saw there?

Mar11

Antennas Up – Springfield, MO: Nathan. P Murphy’s 3-10-12

Posted on March 11, 2012 by allysonssetlist

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Band: Antennas Up

Venue: Nathan P. Murphy’s

Location: Springfield, MO

Tickets: $5 ($2 w/ student ID)

Date: 3-10-12

Myself and my friend Nicole with Antennas Up. From left to right: The Ryantist (performing some crazy dance moves), Nicole, Bo, myself, Jonny Universe and Kyle (that's probably his British face). And as the date stamp suggests, we time traveled.

This night was wonderful. Super crazy impressive like.

First, Antennas Up manages to consistently be awesome. This was my third time seeing them, and I can honestly say that they bring it every time.

Second, my friend Jon came to the show and loved them as much as I do.

But I should probably speak a little more coherently about the show. Like, maybe I should have a chronological order of the night. If you insist on order, who am I to naysay you? Other than the writer of the blog post. But whatever.

We got to the venue a little after doors. Because you can’t miss anything, you know?

We went and inspected the merch tables (Yes, I bought things. It’s their fault for having the iPhone app enabling them to process credit cards. FYI, everyone going to their shows, they will accept your credit cards. Weep with joy/despair.), then grabbed a table. After sound check, Kyle came over and sat with us for awhile.

Jon informed him he looked like Tom Baker. Kyle was flattered and shocked.

Then, the show began.

Antennas Up tearing it up.

It was, as previously mentioned, wonderful. They played mostly new songs from their upcoming album (should be available in the next couple of months) and, if those songs are any indication, this album is going to be amazing. The songs are crazy catchy, and very well written. I think this album is going to be better than their debut and, considering how much I like their debut, that’s saying something.

More impressively, the guys managed their usual energetic stage presence and played impeccably. They were the first band up, and they really set the bar high for the rest of the night. Everyone just has fun listening to them.

My only complaint is that their set wasn’t as long as I would’ve liked. Here’s a copy of their setlist:

Antennas Up 3-10-12 Setlist, obtained from Kyle.

Eight songs just wasn’t enough. But they did do a whole lot with those eight songs. Nicole and I were hanging out in front of the stage, and we were having a great time with it. Some couples started dancing. It was a party.

Moral of this story: Antennas Up is a fun band with fun guys playing energetic and addicting music. You have to admire the tongue in cheek humor (I’m looking at you, “On the Line”) even as you identify with some of the unrequited themes in “December.”

“I’ve come a long way for this and every time we try and forget for one moment that we are only friends…I can’t help my intending.”

That song makes me sigh every time I listen to it. And the live performance was just as stunning (if not more so) than the single I’m currently listening to on iTunes (btw, you can buy it here).

And, after the show, they still manage to be personable and entertaining. Bo and I talked about music and books (Thank you for telling me about The Weeknd. I downloaded House of Balloons and love it.).

Kyle, Jon and I had a lengthy and enlightening discussion about Doctor Who (For real, Kyle, you need to watch the latest season. It’s sooooo mind blowing).

Ryan danced at random moments during conversations. And I mean HE DANCED. He’s got some moves.

Jonny was told a story about the time a man fought a shark, killed it and made a hat out of it (this story will only make sense to three people…you know who you are).

I bought an Antennas Up hoodie (Which I’ve been wearing since I left the concert. It’s now the most comfortable hoodie I own.) and received a CD with their single on it, and a song that didn’t quite make the cut for the new album.

December.

Also, their version of “Friday.” I’m going to hate them for making me sing that song.

And, as has been my habit for the past few months, I got them to sign my shirt.

My website shirt. The guys of Antennas Up and Heypenny signed in red. You'll notice that Jonny Universe ♥'s Allyson's Setlist. It'll be hard to top that signature.

We came, we listened to some awesome music, and we hung out with some awesome guys. It’s hard to get better than that. Except when you consider that Heypenny was also there. But that’s for tomorrow’s blog post.

Now, it is time for the report card!

Concert: A

Venue: A

Drink Prices: A+

Audience: B*

Overall: A

*For quite a bit of time, there were only three people standing in front of the stage. Come on, ya’ll. That’s where the cool kids stand!

PS: Kyle and Bo told me they’ll be back in Springfield later next month as part of their album release tour. If you’re sad that you missed this concert (and you really should be sad), don’t fret. They’ll be at Patton Alley. I’ll keep you posted.

PPS: Kyle and Ryan also said that they’ll be developing a Kickstarter soon. I’ll be committing to it. I hope you’ll join me.

Allyson's Setlist

I go to the concerts you should go to.

Tag Archives: concert review

Man Man – St. Louis, MO: The Firebird 2-18-13

Tommy & The High Pilots – Springfield, MO: The Outland 10-7-12

Tommy & The High Pilots – St. Louis, MO: The Firebird 8-12-12

Antennas Up – Springfield, MO: Nathan. P Murphy’s 3-10-12

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