Nada Surf and Superdrag @ Terminal 5, NYC - In Review

The dream pairing of Nada Surf and Superdrag co-headlining in New York City was far too enticing for this blogger to pass up, even if it meant a trip up from B-more. And wow, was it ever worth it. First off, I need to compliment the incredible Terminal 5. What an amazing venue. 50 foot ceilings, two balcony levels, chandeliers, and a wonderful sound and lighting system. This was one of the best produced shows I've seen, and probably the best sounding show in any club. I'm so jealous.

Anyway, Superdrag began the night with a blazing set of songs from Regretfully Yours and Head Trip. They were very energetic and genuinely thankful to have such a large and boisterous crowd. They graced the crowd with two new songs and a John Davis song from his last solo album. Their set lasted an hour, which certainly meant they weren't the "opening band," but not quite the main event. I didn't track the full setlist, but heres the last four songs of the set:

Keep It Close To Me
Sucked Out
Cynicality
Destination Ursa Major

By the time Nada Surf took the stage, Terminal 5 was paaaaaacked. Well over 2000 people packed the floor and balconies. All were witness to what Nada Surf has become. I've seen them perform over 10 times, and they have always been good, but now they have reached another level. Nada Surf has become an elite live band. They captivate the crowd, their transitions are razor sharp, and the versions of the songs they play make the album versions seem mediocre.

Helping to up the ante for this tour was the addition of Martin Wenk of Calexico, who played keys, synth, and horns. He added very nice touches, especially on Killians Red (see video below) and 80 Windows. Other interesting moments were provided by Ira's ridiculous drumming antics. For Fruit Flies, he used a pair of sticks that had glowing tips, especially cool because the start of the song focuses the crowd on Matthew's vocals. Even more fun was provided by the breakdown at the end of Stalemate. Already an amazing song, which includes the Love Will Tear Us Apart Joy Division medley, but Ira played so powerfully at the end that he bounced one of his symbols away from him by about a foot. He was fun to watch throughout the show, making goofy faces and doing crazy fills constantly.

I am so happy for these guys that the years of hard work and touring seem to have finally payed off. I will miss the days of watching them play to crowds of 50 people, but as long as they keep playing shows like this, I will never complain.

Some pics from the show HERE

Killian's Red


High Speed Soul
Happy Kid
Whose Authority
What is Your Secret
Weightless
Killians Red
I Like What You Say
Inside of Love
Fruit Flies
80 Windows
Popular
Stalemate
Paper Boats
Ice on the Wing
The Fox
Do it Again
Beautiful Beat
See These Bones

Blizzard of '77
Blonde on Blonde
Always Love
Blankest Year

The Run Down - Friday April 11, 2008

Another Friday is here and it's a winner. Pasta Primavera will be in full swing up at Terminal 5 in NYC for Superdrag and Nada Surf, but there are some great shows around town also. In Baltimore Sonar has Spoon, The White Rabbits, and The Walkmen, while the Ottobar has Slick Rick with a full backing band! In DC the 9:30 club has Hot Chip and Free Blood, and The Rock and Roll Hotel has VHS or BETA and Tigercity. In Philly Johnny Brenda's has BC Camplight, The Swimmers, and The Capitol Years, The Fire has Thrushes, Boyskout, House Of Fire, Sonadors, and Music For Headphones, while the North Star has the Duke Spirit. Finally in Wilmngton, DE don't miss The Spinto Band and the National Eye at Mojo 13.

mp3: Nada Surf - The Fox --> website --> buy
mp3: Hot Chip - Shake A Fist --> website --> buy
mp3: Thrushes - Into The Woods --> website --> buy
mp3: Boyskout - Back To Bed --> website --> buy
mp3: House Of Fire - Twelve Stars --> website --> buy
mp3: Spoon - I Summon You (demo) --> website --> buy
mp3: The Spinto Band- Summer Grof --> website --> buy
mp3: The National Eye - Snowing In April --> website --> buy

The Run Down - Wednesday April 9, 2008

Great shows everywhere tonight! First up in Baltimore, go see Superdrag at the 8x10 and don't forget they're playing a 2pm in store appearance at Soundgarden in Fells Point. Also in Baltimore, Minus The Bear plays the Recher Theater with Portugal The Man and the Big Sleep. In DC Dc9 has Riddle Of Steel and City of Ships. In Philly Johnny Brenda's has VHS or BETA, Tigercity, and Coyote, the Starlight Ballroom has Explosions in the Sky and Lichens, while in Lancaster, PA John Vanderslice plays the Chameleon Club.

mp3: Riddle Of Steel - John Frum --> website --> buy
mp3: Superdrag - In The Valley Of Dying Stars --> website --> buy
mp3: John Vanderslice - My Old Flame --> website --> buy
mp3: Minus the Bear - Throwin' Shapes --> website --> buy

News - Superdrag NEW ALBUM & Beastie Boys Benefit Show In NYC

So a while back Superdrag broke up. A sad day for the writers of this blog and a sad day for the fans. Today it was announced that they are officially back together and...RECORDING A NEW ALBUM!!!!!! Their first with this original line up since 1998's Head Trip In Every Key. They begin their first sessions this month and the album will be out sometime this year. This of course will make those three shows in April that much more enjoyable (though the one in NY with Nada Surf was already going to be as enjoyable as it could get). Here's the dates:

04.09.08 • The 8x10 • 10 E Cross Street • Baltimore, MD 21230 • 410.625.2000 - Pre-sale here

04.11.08 • w/Nada Surf - Terminal 5 • 610 W 56th Street • New York, NY 10019 • 212.260.4700 • www.terminal5nyc.com
7pm Doors • 8pm Show • All Ages • $22 Advance / $25 Day of Show • Tickets available at ticketmaster.com

04.12.08 • Johnny Brenda's • 1201 N Frankford Ave • Philadelphia, PA 19125 • 215.739.9684 - Pre-sale here

Also there are more dates to come fro the rest of the US. We'll keep you posted.

mp3: Superdrag - In The Valley Of Dying Stars --> website --> buy
mp3: Superdrag - I Only Want A Place I Can Stay

=========

In other news The Beastie Boys will playing a benefit concert for The Institute for Musical and Neurologic Function, March 4, 2008 at Terminal 5 in Manhattan, NYC.
Get tickets here

Tickets go on sale THIS FRIDAY (2/8) at NOON EST

mp3: The Beastie Boys - Shadrach (Peanut Butter Wolf Remix) --> website --> buy
mp3: The Beastie Boys - Paul Revere

Superdrag to play Philly on April 12th

Superdrag will be playing at Johnny Brenda's in Philadelphia on April 12, 2008. Its not up on the bands website yet, but tickets are already available HERE. This is the night after the amazing co-headlining gig with Nada Surf at Terminal 5 in NYC.

Overload.....pleasure overload.....2008 sooooo good already.

Go get those tickets, pasta peoples.

Mp3: Keep It Close To Me.mp3



What shows are you looking forward to?

Superdrag - Live @ 9:30

Where to begin. This was the last date on Superdrag's reunion tour, and it happened to be at the 9:30 club. How lucky. I'll keep this show review somewhat brief, and say that this was a pretty amazing show. The crowd was mostly older (meaning 30ish plus) and consisted of some pretty pumped up people. Superdrag has always had a great following in the Baltimore/DC area, so this was a natural spot to end the tour.

Overall impression of the show was how different the members have become, but how much they have stayed the same. John Davis is clearly a changed person, quite humble and honestly thankful for the chance to play live shows again. John bowed to the crowd after nearly every song and repeatedly thanked the crowd that showed up (important note: This show was moved to a 10:00pm doors on a Thursday, and that certainly limited the crowd). Other band members retained what made them awesome; Tom Pappas showed amazing energy and skill. Don Coffey continues to be a bad ass drummer. I guess the most important part was how passionate John was as a singer and frontman. His vocals were powerful and mostly sung with his eyes closed. It was obvious that he was pouring his heart and soul into the show.

On to song selection. Heres where I gush a bit. WOW. WOW. WOW. Seriously, Senorita into 6/8 into N.A. Kicker into Liquor. This show was totally built for the old heads. I felt truly privileged to see this show. It lacked some of the surprise of other shows, as it was so chronological, but that's like complaining about finding too many diamonds in a row. They played damn near everything from Regretfully Yous and 8 Track Sounds. What more could you want (except Load which I would have freaked out over). And then went into Head Trip and Valley. And then broke out Sucked Out and Cynicality.

Oh yeah, then Bloody Hell in the encore. I call that "Ape shit crazy."

Other aspects that were crazy include that the band not only signed autograph's before the show, but announced they would be signing in the club after the show. And that they did. I got this amazing poster signed by all, and went home a happy camper.

So, I didn't keep the review that brief. Big whoop. Wanna fight about it?

Oh yeah, Mic Harrison came out and played with the band for the last two songs......and it was good.

Setlist:

Whitey's Theme
Slot Machine
Phaser
Carried
Garmonbozia
Senorita
6/8
N.A. Kicker
Liquor
Nothing Good is Real
Tell Me I'm Not Free
I'm Expanding My Mind
Hellbent
Sold You an Alibi
Do the Vampire
Amphetamine
Pine Away
Unprepared
Keep it Close to Me
True Believer
Sucked Out
Cynicality
-----------
Bloody Hell
Destination Ursa Major
Rocket


Superdrag ------- Keep It Close To Me.mp3

Show Me On Thursday

Nothing to do on a Thursday night? Well there's a multitude of live acts around DC and Philly tonight. In DC, Sia plays the early show at the 9:30 Club while Superdrag plays the late show. One of my faves, Scissors For Lefty is on at the Rock and Roll Hotel in DC. Finally in Philly, Casiotone For The Painfully Alone bring their electro pop to Johnny Brenda's. Go Music!

mp3: Sia - Breathe (Four Tet Remix) --> buy
mp3: Superdrag - Keep It Close To Me --best when played very loud. Do it! --> buy
mp3: Scissors For Lefty - Softly The Sea Swallows The Sun --> buy
mp3: Casiotone For The Painfully Alone - When You Were Mine --> buy

A little Superdrag to get you pumped

To get you all ready for Superdrag at the 9:30 club this Thursday, Daytrotter has an interview with John Davis, a review of their Chicago show, and a bunch of two track mp3's they recorded out there. Pretty cool stuff.

Somehow, there are still tickets available for this show. Buy them here.

Also, the show is now a late show with doors opening at 10:00pm. Expect many yawns on Friday morning.

Show Review
Interview
Mp3's

Superdrag: Part Preview, Part Review

Superdrag has posted this video of Whiteys Theme on their website from the October 5th show in Nashville which JB attended (btw, where's the review dude?). Still weird to see John with a shaved head, but they sound great. Lookin forward to November 8th at the 9:30 club.

Website

Tickets

Reunion's are weird

This year in music has seen a plethora of bands long dead rise from the ashes and strap on their.....guitar straps again. Most notably are The Police and Rage Against The Machine.


The Police announcing tour dates earlier this year, including stops at the Bonnaroo music festival and the Virgin music festival shocked the music world. The band broke up around 1985 and there were reports of quite a feud between Sting and his former band mates.

I was at Bonnaroo this year (again) and witnessed a chunk of their set, which brought on yawns rather then head bobbing. They just didn't seem relevant to the scene, and I don't think they know what the festival scene is about anymore (at one point saying, "How are you Tennessee?" Everybody knows that Bonnaroo is its' own world).

Verdict: Break-up again please



Zack de la Roca put his guerrilla war on hold to return to the stage with RATM, starting with Coachella this spring. This tour is a chance for veterans and first timers to witness one of the best live bands of the last twenty years (perhaps ever, but thats another post). I'm making the trek the the big easy this fall for their performnace at Voodoo, and I let you know whats what. as I saw RATM several times, including their epic show at Woodstock '99. Rolling Stones review of Coachella below.



Rolling Stones review

RATM - Know Your Enemy - Live

Verdict: Guerrilla radio! Turn that shit up!



Lesser known but also amazing was the news announced in July the Knoxville based Superdrag would reunite for a six city tour beginning in October. Superdrag hasn't played a live show since 2003, but will be at the 9:30 club (my second home) on November 8th. I'll be there too, with a slightly skeptical hat on.

Head Trip in Every Key released in 1998 and In the Valley of Dying Stars of 2000 were excellent albums, but the 2002 release of Last Call for Vitriol lacked much substance. I think at that time, the only substance in Superdrag, or at least John Davies, was alcohol.

A nice touch for the reunion tour is an online poll of what tracks fans want to hear. The top three vote getters will be in the setlist. I've flip flopped, but now I'm pulling for I'm Expanding My Mind, which is running in fourth currently. Go Vote!!!!

Superdrag - Senorita

Verdict: Pending