Hear the drummer...batter the hell out of that kit.

Throwing Muses in Cyprus Avenue,Cork 09.11.11


25 years after their debut, Throwing Muses are still going strong. On the back of a very well received Anthology album the band have been touring hard and are a super tight unit. Really, in full flow they are a force of nature and rarely have I heard/seen a three piece exhibit such power on stage.

No real surprises in the setlist and quite a short gig I thought running just barely 90 minutes. Drawing heavily on University and the Anthology albums with a wonderful version of White Bikini Sand to finish up. Kristin on stage seems almost possessed, staring eyes and that beautifully elegant neck roll thing she does. As the singer and front of the band your eye is drawn to her almost all the time but to ignore the other two members of the band does them a huge disservice. Bernard and David are a superb backroom engine, nailing the groove to the floor to allow Kristin to spew out those lyrics and those almost Neil Young like guitar runs that she does.

The surprising thing for me last night was the discovery of how groovy the band are. Not in some smelly, tree hugging hippy way but actually grooving. Underneath that electric, almost proto metal, they can seriously get almost funky. They are three accomplished players and obviously being together this long they can lock in and really lay waste to a stage. Bernard is laid back on stage but the man is a master bass player. Kristin, well...she's Kristin Hersh. Dave, for me, is one of the best rock drummers currently operating. The man is a machine and in total control of such fury. It really is something to be able to watch him play live. He leaves it all up there.

Highlights for me included Start,Shimmer, Furious, Hazing, Garoux des larmes, Vicky's Box, Hate My Way, Mania(Dave's drumming!) and a completely wonderful version of Fish which even had my ancient ass swaying.

I love watching Kristin perform. She's totally immersed in the music and is a joy to watch. A fine guitar player and a compelling presence on stage. Even watching interviews with her prior to going to the show impressed me. She's one cool lady and I admit I'm a little infatuated.

To the maybe two people who read this, if you ever get a chance to see them then grab it. You won't regret it.

Just a couple more things. The support was from a guy called Teitur from the Faeroe Islands. He was quitely impressive and gave a hint of being influenced by Paul Simon, to me anyway. The poor chap did look tired though after travelling. Still, one to keep an eye on.

As for the crowd, I got the impression that they were a tad flat and muted at times though they did grow into the performance. The people up front were well into it, myself included, but there were a number of women there who I felt were just there for a few wine spritzers and a chance to chat to their mates. That pisses me off but hey, they paid for their tickets. Seems a waste to me though. Oh and to that twat in the white t-shirt who kept jumping around...I hope your cock rots off. Dickhead.

No real merch to speak of, everything seemed to be sold out long before they got to Ireland which is great for the band but sucked for me. I was hoping to score some vinyl and maybe a copy of Paradoxical Undressing too. (I refuse to call it Rat Girl, horrible title) Still, all in all, a great band and a super show.

Live music is better, bumper stickers will be issued...

Dispatches from Clatskanie..

So Billy Bragg was a bust because of a ticket snafu. Least said about that debacle the better. Onwards and upwards.

Went to see Richmond Fontaine play last night. They are slowly creeping up to be the band I've seen most live. It must be in double figures now.

The band are touring behind the release of their new album,The High Country. The album is possibly the closest musical distillation of singer Willy Vlautin's lauded career as a novelist. A song cycle, a concept album if you will, about a bunch of sad, lonely people in and around a logging community in the Pacific NW of America.

The gig was fun despite the seemingly grim material. The addition of Amy Boone on keys and the voice of "the girl" on the album was very welcome and added a softer, lighter touch to the music. Her pieces on Inventory and Let Me Dream Of The High Country were superb. Chilling, unspeakably sad yet tinged with softness. It was good to see her take the female counterpoint on Post To Wire too later in the show. She also did a fine song of her own which reminded me of the shamefully forgotten Hazeldine.

The band played the whole album front to back as one piece and finished the night with a selection from their wonderfully rich back catalogue. Winner's Casino, Post To Wire, Lonnie, Four Walls and Moving Back Home #2 all made an appearance.

As for the album itself, I think as a personal experience it works wonderfully well. You immerse yourself in the story and it engages you. As a live piece I feel it loses a little something in translation. Possibly because you want this to be "your" world, "your" experience and sharing it with others who might only be there for a drink and to hang out with friends..well it kind of waters the whole thing down a bit. That is just a personal view though and hopefully those who were there that were not aware of the story of the album were won over.

Either way, once again, Richmond Fontaine..literate, rocking, funny, self deprecating and easily the best American band currently working. Spare a thought for The Girl and The Mechanic. It's a hard road..

Richmond Fontaine, the best band you've never heard.