May 18 2004
Your New Favorite Band (Mine Too)
After sleeping in to an almost ungodly hour this morning, I am finally ready to recap this past weekend. I will skip most of the events at the beach, specifically my friend Joey's bachelor party, but lets just say Friday night consisted of watching the three overtimes of the Pistons / Nets game and texting Grambo furiously as the game slipped from Detroit's hands, a few games of poker and some late night bar hopping. Saturday was spent on Carolina Beach (no sunburn! Woo Hoo!) and Saturday night was the main event. Sunday was a very late brunch before my four hour drive home.
I made it back to Charlotte around 8 PM and went over to my friends Eddie's house to chill before the sea ray show later that night. For some ungodly reason, the venue thought it would be a good idea to start the three band bill at 10 PM. I guess they didn't want anyone to come or something. After a quick dinner, Eddie and I headed over to the venue about 11:15 or so. I grabbed a Red Bull and Vodka from the bar and was quickly reminded why I don't drink coffee. Too much caffeine really fucks with my stomach and gives me the shakes. But I digress...
Anyway, about ten 'til midnight or so, the boys (and girl) from Brooklyn took the stage and began their set. Unfortunately I used up the battery in my digicam during the bachelor party and the ensuing hi-jinx and the douchebag manager at Best Buy in Matthews wouldn't let me in the store at 6:05 PM to get a new one one, so I wasn't able to take any pics.
The band played a very enjoyable set to a crowd of about 35 - 45 people. Standouts included Sister Gone, Revelry and the last song before their encore, which I think was Hall Of Fame. During their set, I kept wondering at what point someone decided that a cello player was exactly what the band really needed to fill out their sound. Whoever it was is a fookin' genius. It sounds like such a ridiculous statement to make, but I really think Anne Brewster lifts this band above all the other indie rockers out there. It was fun to watch her sitting there on stage rocking out, playing this decidedly non-rawk instrument that is literally bigger than she is. Her playing really gives the band a unique, introspective vibe that is extremely compelling and completely different from any of their contemporaries (at least any of the bands that I listen to).
Special props go out to Colin, the band's drummer, who played the gig with a 103 degree temperature. From where I was sitting, he was not visible to me for most of the set, but when I moved around in front of the stage later in the set, it was clear that he looked like he was going to puke at any second. Amazingly, he played an almost note perfect set, complete with an amazing encore of LaLaLand. The band had an off day yesterday, so hopefully he was able to stay in bed and sleep that bug off.
After their set, I stuck around to say hello to the band, even though I was about to pass out from exhaustion. I bought a CD and t-shirt from Jeff, the keyboard player, and we chatted about the tour and the band's plans for the immediate future. As I was leaving, he told me to go over and introduce myself to Greg, the guitar player, and I did and in a very nice moment Greg professed to be a very loyal information leafblower reader and said he doesn't go a day without checking in on the site, which was obvs. good to hear. We chatted for a good while and geeked out over the Super Furries, my recent Morrissey trip and the NBA Playoffs. All in all, it was a great night.
This gig was only their fifth of the tour, so you still have plenty of chances to catch my your new favorite band play the best brand of introspective, cello flavored, shoegazer inspired rock out there today. They are in Nashville tonight and Atlanta tomorrow (a gig I unfortunately won't be able to make because of my Quark class on Wednesday). Full tour dates here. Go check them out, buy a shirt and tell them information leafblower sent ya!
Posted by Kyle in Permalink
Comments
I avoided the hype for a while, but then I listened to the album and saw the band live. Now they're one of my favorite bands.
Posted by: david at May 18, 2004 1:50 PM
anne brewster definitely makes a great band even better. i'm sort of a sucker for cello... but that doesn't change the fact that she is amazing! p.s. i also like her b/c i think she's a deathcab fan, i saw her at the carson daly taping...
Posted by: the real janelle at May 18, 2004 6:09 PM
when i called the Leafblower on Friday night to celebrate Chauncey's halfcourt three that sent the game into OT, here's roughly how it went:
grambo: did you see that hottness?
leafblower: what hottness?
grambo: man, you aren't watching the game?
leafblower: what game?
NO BUZZ! just kidding, yo. bachelor parties trump Pistons games nine times out of 10. in my book, leafblower is still the bestest evs. obvs.
Posted by: Uncle Grambo at May 18, 2004 9:50 PM
I'm still waiting for them to come to Toronto. Waiting... and waiting... and waiting... They've gotten as close as the western side of Michigan. Come on guys, not much farther now!
Posted by: frank at May 19, 2004 8:34 AM
agreed,the cello chick is fabulous. bought 'stars at noon' and having been playing it pretty much non-stop since. cheers for recommending them. much love for sea ray :)
Posted by: lorin at May 19, 2004 11:44 AM
great write-up on sea ray. looking forward to seeing them again in the d & chi-town next week. mmmmBEST!
Posted by: damore at May 19, 2004 10:39 PM
Great Sea Ray review. I saw them in Philly at the first show of this tour and you described it perfectly. It's too bad that their set is so short on this bill - they are far superior to the other two bands. I shoulda bought the tshirt too...
Posted by: oleg at May 20, 2004 5:54 PM
QUARK CLASS?!
I FUCKING LOVE YOU.
Posted by: steeve at June 21, 2004 12:21 AM
