We settled in to Ryan and Erin’s place, had some drinks, and checked out a bunch of videos on YouTube. Anything that we could find that was relevant to the evening. Mark Lanegan interviews, old Screaming Trees performances, Afghan Whigs and Twilight Singer stuff...you get the picture. I was pretty stoked about seeing Lanegan, as I had never seen him live before. Ryan saw him with Dulli and the Twilight Singers the last time they were in Chicago, and said his performance (or lack of) was a curiosity to behold.
Close to 10:30, Ryan called a cab, and soon we were on our way to the Metro. I lamented not having enough time or money to make it a true rock evening, because I had only the week before found out that Bob Mould was playing a show with two other bands at the same venue at 7:00. Like my friend Corey said, "Can you imagine all of the rock history in that building on just that one night?!?!" Simply mind-blowing.
Doors weren’t supposed to open for the late show until 11:00. We arrived around 10:40 and found a line that stretched down Clark St. to the end of the block and back up another street. I should point out that none of us were wearing coats, because we were unsure of any coat check, and that it was a wind chill of six degrees Fahrenheit. In other words, pretty warm. Oh yeah, and it was snowing. I haven’t been that cold in a long time, and I’m usually pretty good in situations like that.
Moving right along, when we finally got into the building, tickets scanned, and into the main room, the realization hit me that I hadn’t been to the Metro since ’92. In my mind the place was a lot bigger than it really was, but of course I had also experienced it through the eyes of a 19 year old newbie musician on stage. The place had barely start to fill up, so we got an excellent position a free-throw away from the stage, front and center.
The first band was called Great Northern, and they had driven to Chicago, straight from L.A., for thirty-seven hours. That’s some hard-core travelling. They were a four-piece consisting of a female lead on vox and keys, then a bassist, guitarist, and drummer. The lead singer and guitarist also each played tambourine and would on occasion double up on a floor tom for emphasizing some parts. I thought that was pretty cool, although I think it was more for visual effect than anything else: the lead singer was doing this on the first song when the drummer’s right hand was idle, so you get my point. All in all, I was happy that they didn’t suck. That happens a lot with opening acts. Yet, not only did they not suck, they were actually quite good. Wonderfully strong vocals from the lead and the guitarist. His vocal were almost in her range, with almost the same tone. I hate to make comparisons, because I’ve always felt I was victim to some really bad ones, but if I had to I would say she sounded like a cross between Tori Amos and Aimee Mann. That’s the best that I can come up with. Altogether a great full sound, nice breezy pop songs, with good chords and earnest feeling. I think they did about a half hour set, or maybe a little longer.
There was about a thirty minute long set change, which was a little too long for me, but what are you going to do? The band proper came out, and then Dulli and Lanegan followed after a good dozen or so bars had been played in the first song "The Stations". Of course, the place went absolutely crazy as soon as Lanegan’s growling voice engulfed the room. And wow, what an incredible sounding room it was. It was so round and full. My brother was right though: Lanegan does nothing but stand in front of the mic stand with his eyes closed. If he opens them, it’s usually between songs and he’s staring at the floor beside him. He’s got such a mystique about him though, it affords him the privilege as a performer to get away with being so non-involved in an outwardly physical way.
Then there’s Greg Dulli. Come on ---do I really need to say anything about this showman? You’re always on the edge just wondering what’s going to come out of this man’s mouth in between songs. His carthotic screams leading in and out of crescendo phrases were dead on. As usual, Dulli delivered all of the goods that we came to see and made the trip worth it.
Besides Lanegan and Dulli on guitar, piano, and organ, there were four other players. Ryan said that the keyboardist/guitarist was part of the Twilight Singers, and had even opened the show for them when they were in town previously. The drummer was someone I didn’t know, as well as the bassist. The lead guitarist was also from the Twilight Singers.
I wish I was more familiar with Saturnalia, but it was only released several days before the show, and to the best of my knowledge didn’t make it to iTunes until after that weekend. I listened to it stream several times on their MySpace page the Monday prior to the show, but was doing school work, so I didn’t really "know" it. I’ve since downloaded it from iTunes.
We probably made it back to my brother’s place sometime after three, and hung out until about four, eating frozen pizza and watching a Pixies DVD. Somehow we were up by 10 and on the road by 11:30. I actually went to Chicago for 15 minutes last year around this time, so this trip wasn’t so bad. I got to see Ryan and Erin, some great music...and even enjoy a quiet breakfast on the way home at an IHOP with Emily. What more can you ask for?
Here is their set list that I found HERE
Setlist:
The Stations
God’s Children
All Misery/Flowers
Live With Me
7 Stories Underground
Idle Hands
Circle The Fringes
Bête Noire
Down the Line
I Was in Love With You
Each to Each
Front Street
I’m Ready
River Rise
Papillion-Shadow of the Season
No Easy Action
King Only
Methamphetamine Blues
Number Nine
