Saturday, September 13, 2008
Next Big Nashville NBN08: Day 3: Let It Cream
Posted by Seth Graves on Sat, Sep 13, 2008 at 1:34 PM
You’ll notice this morning’s hand stampage is hardly as dramatic as I predicted yesterday. This can be directly attributed to two things: taking a shower, and staying put last night at the Infinity Cat showcase. The markings still tell a story, just one that doesn’t quite match yesterday’s hungover prediction. But like a cup of mystic tea leaves, the back of my fist is an interpreter of dreams and a map of future events--just don't ask me to explain that.
I showed at the ass crack of the evening to check out noise duo Reid & Wright. While soundscapes of spasmodic pink noise, echoes of feedback, and mangled guitar playing are kind of the norm for a noise act these days, it was the throng of screaming kids crowded in front of the stage that was fucking weird. I was definitely born a decade too early.
Next up was my first taste of Royal Bangs. Theirs is a moniker that immediately conjures the notion of more pop 'n’ roll garage revival stuff. My prejudices were not incorrect, but certainly not in a bad way. They seemed like a decent enough band, but still weren’t quite sucking me in--which may not have been their fault. There was still that lingering menace of a hangover and associated dehydration diverting my attention.
A few mugs full of margarita next door at Fiesta Azteca pretty much fixed that, and the evening suddenly got a hell of a lot better. By the time I walked back over next door, the crowd had doubled in size and the Mattoid had just launched into their intimidatingly comical psychedelic pop routine. It was the same set you pretty much always get from the Mattoid--“The Cocksuckers”, “Party Time”, “Eleanor Rigby”--but regular line-up changes keep things sounding a little different every six months or so. Formerly relegated exclusively to a microphone, Lauren Brown was now providing the backbeat with a floor tom and snare, and bassist Sunflower had been replaced by a fellow whose name I failed to catch (blame the margaritas).
By the time Cake Bake Betty got on stage, I decided I was far too drunk and entertained to go anywhere else. Singer/songwriter Lindsay Powell gave us a few solo numbers which were a smidge difficult to hear over the roar of chattering. before being joined on stage by a darkly clad quartet of young men who backed up her surrealist pop songs with a fractured, schizophrenic jazz-rock style. She also gave us an unexpected cover of Misfits’ “Where Eagles Dare.” Well, I say unexpected, because I don’t want to go into how old hat Misfits covers are getting, but feel free to discuss it below.
It was around this time it occurred to me this event had been upgraded from being held at The End last year (Infinity Cat’s logo remained pasted onto the venue’s marquis for at least 6 months after the show). The label had set up massive merch stand in the back complete with the complimentary cheese sandwiches also at last year’s show (hopefully not the same sandwiches). Whether there were more people this year than last, I couldn’t tell. Last year, folks were crammed into The End like raisins in a box. So it may have been the same size crowd this time, just with a hell of a lore more room to breathe.
As much as I dig both JEFF and MEEMAW, I’m probably more sick of them than anyone. Which can happen when a band plays a local show, like, every single day. Their performances last night ended a personal boycott of each group several months in progress. It was indeed a fine reminder that I have always liked them with good reason, but I’m still not ready to write about them again. So, moving on....
From there I hopped a shuttle to City Hall for the “Funky Good Time” after party. I caught a bit of The Dynamites, who were one hell of a great traditional soul band, but a lack of familiar faces let boredom sink in really fast. Across the street, Nashville’s premiere mobile taco wagon Mas Tacos some of the most bad ass fish tacos you’re ever going to buy from a Winnebago. And just as I was about to try and bum a ride back to my car, the trusty shuttle came barreling through.
Comments (24)
Showing 1-24 of 24
dude. you aren't "ready" to write about them? i am hoping there is another journalist who was there who would like to give their opinion. is this your job or your personal blog entry?
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suriously. rofl. what a let down! way to not write about the two bands with the biggest turnout that totally got the crowd going!
here, give me $5:
there have been rumors floating around Nashtucky that MeeMaw has broken up. Happily for the future of ROCK AND ROLL this is false! as Jessica McDrummerChick put it "just takin' a break, yeah." And a well-deserved hiatus at that! For the past seven months MeeMaw has been playing shows twice a week as well as releasing their debut album and touring for the first time (for over a month), it was about fuckin' time they took a break. 'cause BAM!!! they came in last night and took the stage with a great new energy! smiles were bigger than ever, energy was high, Wes was more sweaty than ever before, and everyone involved enjoyed themselves thoroughly! A new song was debuted, hinting at a promising future of MeeMaw material (and here I thought they'd broken up! Phew!)
Following on that high energy, JEFF set up to a room of anticipation. 'cause the kids know.. .. that nothing beats ending a night of entertainment (or any night, really) better than a sweaty head-spinning sore-throat JEFFgasm! And we've all got the bruises and mystery blood-stains(?) to prove it! The boys played a solid set, a good mix of fresh and classic songs. JEFF should aaaaalllways have a smoke machine, OK?
The pit was moshed, tears of joy were cried, solos were ripped, and at the end Wes of MeeMaw joined the boys for a bodice-ripping rendition of "I'm a Freak" by Wicked Lady. Solid, solid, solid.
At the beginning of the set I thought "When are these boys gonna bust out and conquer another city?" and at the end I thought "Damn, I wish they'd played Shuck The Corn."
The moral of the story is, Infinity Cat is a gem and may they continue on their path of awesomeness for many many years to come!
The End.
Give me my five bux
Aw, no worries ... I do it for the love, anyways.
I'm almost at a loss ... what to do tonight without any Infinity Cat shows?!
wow, hey thanks DemoDerb, email us and tell us who you are so we can thank you in person. And thanks Seth and everyone else who came out last night.
We all had a ball, from R and W to the 50+ people crashing onto the stage for JEFF The Brotherhood's last song.
Thanks to the Exit/In folks. And that car full of kids who drove all the way from Houston. Damn!
Oh gosh. It never stops being amazing here in Nashville. We've got the best bands anywhere. Oh gosh. We will be drunk and happy forever until we are 40 years old. I love pills and bands.
You are all selfish people! 1,000,000 people are dead in Iraq. Next Big America Don't Give a Fuck Fest. What will you tell your kids?
well.
to answer the first question: we don't get paid for blogging, so my posts are whatever the hell i want them to be.
i've got nothing but love for both these bands, have written nothing but good things about them, and have written lots of these good things about them both in the past.
i can just be pretty pissy when i wake up with a day 2 hangover and am forced to think, reason, and remember shit that went down the night before.
i do however find it humorous that this blog gets slammed constantly for any and all JEFF and MEEMAW coverage its given, and then I turn around and get equally scorned when I don't.
Dude, first Meemaw show in like...3 months? That is the gayest sentence ever written.
Son you too old to be listnin to that Meehaw Jeff crap,you ain't fitteen anymore you growin up now and I'm proud of you but get you some ahdult music and quit a hangin round them whinin kids that caint play them instrums.
Firtsly: Seth, no one believes you took a shower. (I kid).
Secondly: Meemaw and Jeff were both incredible, the cheese sandwiches were questionable, and the infinity cat merch guy was affable. BUT the crowd made the show difficult to enjoy.
Starting comments with "suriously.rofl" should give you some idea of their caliber. We all know that you are like, really really fucking important, and that you HAVE to get back to moshing in your tiny little vests or ironic Mini Mouse dresses as soon as possible. But I WILL put an elbow in your goddamn teeth you douchey, dicky, hipster assholes. When you are missing your front teeth, all your friends will hate you, because that's how deep you all are.
Let me say it in language you'll understand: GTFO of my goddamn city.
That guy on bass for the Mattoid was the great Matt Swanson...bass player for Lambchop, Dave Cloud, and the legendary Clockhammer.
the infinity cat merch guy is the father of the orrall brothers.
he is also an incredible artist himself and obviously one helluva dad to raise those boys to be fabulous.
you should check out his paintings sometime. they are really really neat.
love me some orrall family!
Dad Orrall used to be a rock artist (three albums for RCA in the 80's) and he has a brand new song out that's featured on MTV's website here: http://splashpage.mtv.com/2008/08/21/listen-to-an-exclusive-track-from-the-book-of-lies/
It's the title song to a soundtrack with REM, Five For Fighting, Wheatus, etc.
He's gotta be in his fifties and he's still getting plugged by MTV. I think that's pretty cool.
After reading all these posts I'm kicking myself for not going to the show. I love cheese sandwiches!
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