Catching Up on Concerts (Broken Social Scene, Modest Mouse, and yes, even Brand New)
The excellent Canadian musical collective known as the Broken Social Scene came to Portland last month for an incredible show, which unfortunately did not include the amazing and talented voices of Feist and Emily Haines (both of whom got their start with the band but have since moved on to great careers of their own). Replacement musicians definitely carried their own weight well as the band ripped through a variety of songs, including a Tom Petty cover (to honor the musician who had passed away just a few days prior to this show).
The incredible Scottish band, Frightened Rabbit, opened the show and I think the crowd was actually far more interested in seeing them then the headliners, perhaps with good reason, because Frightened Rabbit is a great band live. Their sets have always been rocking and entertaining. This was about the 4th time I saw them and they were absolutely amazing, again. The only thing disappointing about their set was that it was not longer!
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Modest Mouse visited Portland and played at the State Theatre (with Mass Gothic). The last time I saw Modest Mouse was a couple summer's back and they were a bit disappointing. But, this show definitely changed my opinion of their live sets. They literally brought everything they could to this show, with the exception of the annoying big hit "Float On." I was extremely happy to hear everything I could've wanted. They started the show with some amazing cuts and continued to rock out for a solid 2 hours. I left feeling high on music and like they had legitimately melted my face off in early October!
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I went to see The Front Bottoms and Basement in Boston at the House of Blues. I hadn't heard much from either band, but was intrigued enough, remembering that the Front Bottoms had opened for Brand New a couple years ago here in Portland. Their live, headlining set was absolutely incredible. They had so much energy, starting their tour in Boston. And Basement is a U.K. band that has had quite a following for a few years now stateside. Their set was pretty good, as well.
Basement:
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Brand New played the newly named Boch Centre (formerly known as the Wang Theatre) towards the end of October and I'm just coming around to reviewing the show. And now, I know this probably won't sit well with everyone, given all the information that has come out about Jesse Lacey over the past week, about his soliciting nude photos from teenage girls and sexual misconduct, etc. back when he was in his early 20s and the band was in its heyday. I think we can all agree that his actions are deplorable and unacceptable (to say the least). I could perhaps write an essay on the entire subject matter, but for the purpose of this, I will stay away from a pulpit or soapbox and I will focus on the music from the band, Brand New, and not focus on their lead singer/songwriter and his actions.
Brand New's album from this year "Science Fiction" has been slated to be my favorite album of this year before everything that's happened. And this show was absolutely fucking amazing. Perhaps the best I've ever seen them. And so, it is an absolute shame and disappointment that one of my favorite and most influential bands (lyrically, the guy is amazing) is presumably ending like this. It's a damn shame.
The incredible Scottish band, Frightened Rabbit, opened the show and I think the crowd was actually far more interested in seeing them then the headliners, perhaps with good reason, because Frightened Rabbit is a great band live. Their sets have always been rocking and entertaining. This was about the 4th time I saw them and they were absolutely amazing, again. The only thing disappointing about their set was that it was not longer!
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Modest Mouse visited Portland and played at the State Theatre (with Mass Gothic). The last time I saw Modest Mouse was a couple summer's back and they were a bit disappointing. But, this show definitely changed my opinion of their live sets. They literally brought everything they could to this show, with the exception of the annoying big hit "Float On." I was extremely happy to hear everything I could've wanted. They started the show with some amazing cuts and continued to rock out for a solid 2 hours. I left feeling high on music and like they had legitimately melted my face off in early October!
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I went to see The Front Bottoms and Basement in Boston at the House of Blues. I hadn't heard much from either band, but was intrigued enough, remembering that the Front Bottoms had opened for Brand New a couple years ago here in Portland. Their live, headlining set was absolutely incredible. They had so much energy, starting their tour in Boston. And Basement is a U.K. band that has had quite a following for a few years now stateside. Their set was pretty good, as well.
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(Live Debut)
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(Live Debut)
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(Live Debut)
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(Live Debut)
Basement:
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Brand New played the newly named Boch Centre (formerly known as the Wang Theatre) towards the end of October and I'm just coming around to reviewing the show. And now, I know this probably won't sit well with everyone, given all the information that has come out about Jesse Lacey over the past week, about his soliciting nude photos from teenage girls and sexual misconduct, etc. back when he was in his early 20s and the band was in its heyday. I think we can all agree that his actions are deplorable and unacceptable (to say the least). I could perhaps write an essay on the entire subject matter, but for the purpose of this, I will stay away from a pulpit or soapbox and I will focus on the music from the band, Brand New, and not focus on their lead singer/songwriter and his actions.
Brand New's album from this year "Science Fiction" has been slated to be my favorite album of this year before everything that's happened. And this show was absolutely fucking amazing. Perhaps the best I've ever seen them. And so, it is an absolute shame and disappointment that one of my favorite and most influential bands (lyrically, the guy is amazing) is presumably ending like this. It's a damn shame.
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- Encore:
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