matthew good

his new rekkid, hospital music, doesn't have its official release until july 31, but he is streaming the ENTIRE fucking disc on his website......all you need to do is register as a member of the website......it's free, no fucking hassle involved.

Dinosaur Jr. - Toronto - June 8, 2007

June 8, 2007
The Phoenix
Toronto, ON
by Matt Littlefair (chartattack.com staff)

Normally the NXNE weekend is a bit of a crapshoot, and the ratio of absolute shit to really good is decidedly unbalanced, but last Friday was different. Everything I saw exceeded any expectations I might’ve had coming in. Starting with Uncut, followed by the fully reformed Dinosaur Jr. and ending with bands who have nothing to do with this review, The Nymphets and Handsome Furs, it’s hard to think right now and it’s even harder to hear.

Uncut were great, but then they always are. They’re one of those bands I have a soft spot for who never seem to get the attention or praise they deserve. They’ve been consistently good since their debut, Those Who Were Hung, Hang Here. For me, part of their live appeal lies in Ian Worang’s voice. It’s more vicious live; he wails into the mic instead of the more subdued drone he favours on record, and that roughs up the edges a little.

This was my first time seeing Dinosaur Jr. live, and they are, without even an iota of doubt, the loudest band I’ve ever witnessed. Everyone warned me, but I thought some of it had to be hyperbole. Then I saw the monolith of Marshall stacks behind J. Mascis. There’s that cliche about music that "melts your face off," but that doesn’t really work for Dinosaur Jr. It’s more like they kicked a hole in my skull and then poured in so much volume and guitar soloing that the few brain cells I had left happily floated away. From the first note to the last, I spent the entire time trying to pick my jaw up off the Phoenix floor.

Material from this year’s Beyond stood up well against classic Dino cuts, including "Freak Scene." The mixed bag crowd ate up what essentially became the J. Mascis show. I’m not trying to diminish the efforts of Murph or Lou Barlow, because the Dinosaur Jr. records I like the best are the product of the original lineup, but the band are built around Mascis' loud, aggressive guitar. So much so that amidst all the fire-breathing solos and riffing, the lyrics and vocals were often lost in the mix.

I was a little shocked (and elated) by the inclusion of a handful of cuts such as "Out There" that came about after Barlow’s less than amicable exit from the band. I wouldn’t deign to interpret the meaning of something like that, but it seems somewhat telling.

Not a whole hell of a lot was said during the show, except for Mascis asking that the lights be turned down so he didn’t cook to death and then Barlow pleading for them to be turned up so he could see what he was doing. Beyond that, Barlow offered a cursory thanks to the crowd from, but it didn’t really matter, these guys are a band who do all their talking with the music.

During their encore, uber-fan Kevin Drew, who earlier in the day interviewed Mascis, took up vocal duties on a blistering version of "The Wagon." In the end, the set clocked in at about 75 to 80 minutes. I don’t know how much more punishment I could take, but I would have gladly stood there until my ears just fell right off.

next up on the prowse concert calendar:
wolfmother in fort wayne (??!?!) june 27

BRMC - Indy - June 5, 2007

Tuesday evening saw black rebel motorcycle club return to indy for a completely ass-kicking show.

my previous attempts to see them in concert have been spotty.......i saw them at the shelter in detroit in 2003, but i got there late and was stuck at the back of the venue......then i had tix to see them at newport music hall in columbus in 2006, but was unable to make the trip.

needless to say, when early bird tix went on sale back in march for this indy show at the music mill, i was all over it......$15 very well spent!

as usual, loser boy was at the venue way too early, but at least it secured me a spot at the stage.

dead combo was the first band to hit the stage, somewhere around 8:45pm......tight, sludge-y power trio with the volume to 11......and a cute female drummer that i stared at for most of the set.

the cobbs were the second band to hit the stage, somewhere around 9:30pm......pretty standard alternative rock band, but nothing to complain about......

finally.....the moment.

peter, robert and nick take the stage and rip into the first 2 tracks from baby 81.

fucking awesome.
just purely fucking awesome.

i was parked in front of peter, so i got to witness the guitar god do his thing.

the combination of the lighting and fake smoke was totally perfect for the rocking blues of the band.......i've seen all kinds of concert photos from previous shows and was always impressed with how the whole gig looked......and i'm finally able to say i saw it up close and personal!

after a full set of electric rock, peter came back for a couple of solo acoustic tunes from HOWL.....then robert did an ace job on a bob dylan cover they've been doing for this tour......then they all plugged back in and rocked us again.

after all was said and done, i stumbled outta the venue somewhere around 12.45am Wednesday morning, with the drive back north to the fort still ahead of me, ears ringing madly.

RANT:
it's a well-known fact that i usually get fucked over when it comes to general admission shows, be it the 7 foot giant who pushes his way in front of me, or the deranged drunk chicks who do their interpretive dancing right in front of me.

i'm happy to report that Tuesday night was no different, faithful reader.

right before BRMC hit the stage, 2 loud/drunk/obnoxious/scenester chicks ended up beside me, screaming their love for the guys in the band.

at some point early in the BRMC set, a photographer forces his way in front of me to get some pics......no big deal......but when he's finished and ready to get out of way, he invites the 2 loud/drunk/obnoxious/scenester chicks to take his spot!

like it was his fucking spot to begin with!!
fucker.

so now the 2 loud/drunk/obnoxious/scenester chicks are directly in front of me, doing their interpretive dances and screaming their love for the guys in the band.

gooooood.

later in the BRMC set, as the alcohol starts to filter thru their bodies, one of the loud/drunk/obnoxious/scenester chicks begins her pole dancing impression directly in front of me......this would include grinding her ass into my legs and writhing around like she had the demon seed inside of her.

gooooooood.

END OF RANT.


the guys were fucking incredible.
i'm very glad i made the trip (after entertaining thoughts of staying in and ordering a pizza).

next up:
another long-ass drive to toronto for dinosaur jr. as part of NXNE Friday night.