Friday, December 4, 2009
The Spin Cheap Trick at the Ryman, 12/03/09
Posted by The Spin on Fri, Dec 4, 2009 at 12:19 PM
See the slideshows for more photos: Cheap Trick; Superdrag.
While it may be consistent with our reputation to arrive late for shows, we were pretty pissed when we walked into The Ryman at 7:35 p.m. to find Superdrag already in mid-set. Don't get us wrong, The Ryman's musical heritage and antique charm is undeniable, but sometimes it's just not the most ideal venue for a rock show. This was made evident by the fact that, while nearly all in the house were rocking out to Superdrag, they were doing it sitting down. WTF? Don't people realize that this is a rock 'n' roll show and church pews are uncomfortable as fuck?
Nevertheless, the history of The Ryman stage wasn't lost on the band. As they gave props to all who've graced it before them and thanked the night's headliners for the opportunity to play, it was obvious that the band were giddily beside themselves with excitement to play this gig. And they're a band we love to see happy. It should go without saying that they rocked like it was 1996. Not one to miss an opportunity, singer John Davis had his Ryman moment as he briefly sang off mic. By the time they hit us with their classic closing one-two punch of "Sucked Out"--complete with a snippet of Guided by Voices' "Echos Myron"--into "Destination Ursa Major" (the former inspiring an inhibited sing-along that brought smiles to band and crowd alike), it felt like their 40-minute set had gone by all too fast. Our only complaint: The front-of-house mix was too quiet and uber-muddy. Seriously, this band deserves better than to have the snare drum mixed to sound like a set of Venetian blinds getting hit with chopsticks.
Unfortunately, the setlist was a little spotty. Aside from a rarity or two and the predictable handful of hits, the band spent too much time playing unfamiliar new material. We were a little disappointed not to hear many of our favorite songs and (if we remember correctly) nothing off the first album. "He's a Whore," "Big Eyes," "Taxman, Mr. Thief," "Oh Candy," "On Top of the World" and even "Southern Girls"--which we thought was a lock for Nashville--were all missing. When you're a band with a discography stretching back 30-plus years and your headlining set is a mere 75 minutes long, you've got to either lengthen the show or give us more killer and less filler.
Seriously, this show was way too short. At $66 a ticket, you're paying almost a dollar a minute. At that rate, no setlist should include a performance of "The Flame" Reminded that a flame is what's used to light a cigarette, we briefly headed for the smoking section and left the cougars to have their moment. We returned to our seats to find the song still going amidst a sea of lighters and waving arms. There may even have been tears. "The Flame" brought the house down, much to our chagrin. Luckily it went straight into "Surrender," during which we jumped out of our skin and sang along with all the life-affirming vigor we could muster. Man, what a fuckin' song. The version of "Dream Police" they played in the encore was just as good, as was the cover of The Beatles' "A Day in the Life." Still, it just wasn't enough. If only we could've gotten a bit more, this show would've been a perfect 10, which is what time it was as we exited the building.
Comments (22)
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Both bands were great, but Superdrag was the band that earned their money last night.
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" this band deserves better than to have the snare drum mixed to sound like a set of Venetian blinds getting hit with chopsticks."
Gold words. Great review.
That set list CT played is awesome:
Way of the World
Come On Come On
Miracle
I Want You to Want Me
These Days
She's Tight
Heaven Tonight
Miss Tomorrow
Don't Be Cruel
Voices
Sick Man of Europe
Tonight It's You
The Flame
Surrender
A Day in the Life
Dream Police
Good Night
They have 16 studio albums and the albums are as diverse, as the fans tastes. It's impossible to make a dream set list that will please everyone. They put in a little from the rockers, the milder stuff and the new songs.
After having the shows with Def Leppard canceled twice (I just wanted to see Cheap Trick again), I was disappointed at the length of the show. Otherwise, they were amazing as usual. They're one of the best live bands,period.
But the t-shirt prices were great!
The show was awesome! As good as any of the 25 Cheap Trick shows I have attended. I got pics of Rikki Rocket, Johnathan Cain and Larry David. What a guy?!?
Yes the set could have been longer, but I loved it all..
this review sucks & so do SUPERDRAG !
CHEAP TRICK fucking rocked out the best i've seen them in 10 yrs !!!
to bad security at the ryman where complete dicks (go chase down another cell phone ass holes)!
Great CT show... my 4th and possibly best.
Set list was good, but this band could have 3 awesome full setlists (at least) and not repeat a song. Agree the show was short by 2 or 3 songs: there's some more great material off the new album that would work well live -- or a couple unexpected older classic gems would have helped.
RE: The Flame - yes, overplayed lite-rock ballad, but a concert must to show off Zander's amazing vocals.
I thought I saw Rikki Rocket. What an ugly motherfucker. Larry David looked pretty good, though.
Say what you want, but the Cheap Trick set list would have been okay if tickets weren't SIXTY FUCKING DOLLARS. I wasn't disappointed when they played "Don't Be Cruel" and "The Flame" in the Cannery Parking lot for free. Don't pull that shit out at the Ryman. I understand that they have sixteen albums, but the truth is, they are who they are because of the first four. Set list sucked.
What? Unfamiliar material? If this critic was hip at all, he would have been listening to "The Latest" six months ago, and it would not be unfamiliar. The new material is right up there with the classic old tunes. Complaining about the seats at the Ryman? This guy must not know anything about the venue and it's history. He or she must have also been one of the few people sitting down through the whole show. Go back to your Garth Brooks records and shut the hell up!
Matt Josephson
Nashville
There is a lot more to CT than their first few albums. The band's last five albums are awesome, many fans love them and they have received great reviews. Even from the albums in their mid-career there are many great songs. It's sad some people can only appreciate songs that had commercial success.
Diana, you are correct. There is a lot more to CT than their first few records. It's just that those are the reason that CT is known as well as they are. Also, I would like to point out the flaws in their set list were because they played the songs that had the most commercial success, avoiding the deep cuts off their most popular records.
Cheap Trick was great! If you stopped listening to them after the first four albums then you're not a fan are you? And if you don't know that they're are alwaysy pushing the envelope and pumping out new material then you're not a fan are you????
After a lengthy stint in Vegas doing the CT Sargent Pepper Show they came to Nashville -to the Ryman - with a nearly flawless set of Rock n Roll - new and classic! IT was great to hear Robin do The Flame - just to confirm - as Rick says - "The Best Lead Singer Ever!" What pipes...he's not lost anything there. The Ryman is a place that EVERY musician dreams of playing...and seegin the place packed with CT fans was GREAT!!! People were standing most of the night and rockin' out! If you play the Ryman - Opryland makes you presell or cover the costs - so the ticket prics HAS TO reflect the financial investment the band HAS to make. Selling the new album for only $10 bucks and good Tee Shirt Prices was a nod to the fans!!!
Ryan - If you're a Cheap Trick fan - then you would've been following them all along and been either familiar or receptive to a band you love bringing you their new material!! Artistss like Garth Brooks (and others) continue to repackage the same songs over and over milking the fans of money and doing nothing new or inventive.
Cheapt Trick has NEVER been a band to sit on their laurels - they are constanting pushing their sounds and their writing and putting out new music whether they have a major label deal or not!!! Commerical success is what to you? Chart Success? Or Soundscan Sales Success?? The best music NEVER gets that exposure and we all know it.
You complained about them playing "Don't be Cruel" at the Ryman - but Dude - they had a COMMERICAL SUCCESS with that song! $$!!
You can't have it both ways Ryan.
I don't get it. All this review really complains about is the brevity of the show. Would all these CT mega-fans not want a longer show? Is everything the band does perfect and beyond criticism, including playing for less than an hour and half?
Truth be told, there were only three or four songs played off the new record, I think that's fine and I don't mind watching that much new stuff, however, that's too many new songs to sit through when the rest of the set only scratches the surface of their greatest material.
Having 16 albums is the reason they should play for much much longer. Elvis Costello is an extremely prolific artist who has a classic pack of albums early in his career followed by a series of records beloved by hardcore fans. That's the reason that he plays for three hours every time he comes to the Ryman. I'd expect at least two out of CT. The show was fantastic while it lasted, but any fan who thinks it lasted long enough is nuts.
You people are crazy. Fucking nuts. You'd still be defending them if they played the "Transformers" theme song for 15 minutes. I've seen plenty of shows at the Ryman that were in the $30 range and lasted two to three hours. The show was a rip-off.
Chuckles, CT is not above criticism but, some people complain too much. $66 is not too much for 75 min. of hearing a legendary live band, like CT. I'd love to hear them play all night long. Maybe one of them has a health issue and 75 min. is all they can do. I'm grateful for an incredible show. It sure beats paying less for a band that is not as good.
Ryan, I doubt the $30 bands were of CT's caliber. If you like thoes bands, then stick with them. 75 min. of CT is worth more than $66 to me. In response to your earlier comment. CT did play some deep cuts off early albums, along with other types of songs because, different people want different types of songs. They can not make a dream set list, for every person that attends their show. The music was great. That is the most important thing. We are talking about the set and you bring up Transformers theme for 15 min. then, you say we are nuts, lol.
CT is an amazing band. They played wonderful songs for 75 min. People should be happy.
Well, anonymous, good for you. I actually have seen Cheap Trick perform a dream set list, and it was one of the best shows I've ever seen. I love the band, but they are not beyond reproach. If they have health issues that don't allow them to play for much longer than an hour, maybe they should charge less or stick to opening for other bands.
They did record "The Fallen Remix" for the Transformers movie, if you are unaware. And it sucks.
The anonymous comments that started with Chuckles was me. I forgot to put my name up.
Ryan, I'm so glad you got your dream set. It's not gonna happen every show. Other people have other favorites and CT wants to make everyone happy. CT is not above reproach and some people complain too much. We may not have CT for too long. We should enjoy them while we have them.
If CT opens for another band, they may play less than 75 min. and the cost of the ticket will probably be higher! It costs a lot to put on a show. They can't put on shows if they lose money doing it. Unfortunately, they are human and have to eat.
I have no idea why you keep bringing up the Transformers song? It seems like you are bent at griping. Relax, lol. For a movie song and all the restrictions that CT had placed on them, it's great. CT does not play it at their live shows. If you don't like it, don't listen to it, lol.
I was very impressed with Superdrag. I am not usually a fan of unknown bands - but Superdrag won't remain unknown for long! They are on their way up!!
I was so glad to finally see Cheap Trick after they had to cancel twice. They could have played a little longer, but they were fantastic! Loved their outfits - they are still gentleman that can rock the house down!
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