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|   Shiner/Schatzi live review - April 13, 2002 | Stone
Apr 16, 2002 4:44 AM | | I arrived at the venue a little late (on purpose) because two local bands were opening, and although that <I>should</I> be reason to get there early, the local bands around here by and large suck (at least the ones Ive seen). I got there toward the end of the set of the second local band (The Fred Thompson Trio). It took about 10 seconds to confirm that I made the right choice in getting there late. Dressed in Shriners outfits, they were no more than a screamfest over some bad guitar screeches. Although I dont mind some screaming if the music is good, these guys are definitely not my cup of tea. When I tell non-music geeks that I listen to punk and indie, I think this is what they likely envision.
Next up was Schatzi. These guys are from Austin, Texas, and I dont know what I expected, but what I got was pretty much a straight forward punk/emo band. I thought the first two songs were pretty good (looking back, it was probably because the FT Trio was so damn bad), but their sound soon wore thin on me. I got the impression they want to be the next Jimmy Eat World or Saves the Day. They werent really bad, but certainly not very good either.
Then Shiner hit the stage. They are a quartet from KC. Hmm, I didnt expect a guy in a conservative button down long sleeved shirt and jeans to be the lead singer and guitarist, and I thought maybe I misjudged their style (by what I had heard from some of you and read in reviews) until they broke into their first tune (and because I had never heard these guys before, I have no idea what song it was). Rest assured, these guys did not disappoint either musically or intensity-wise. First, this was the loudest show I have seen in a long time, which fit well with their wall of sound style. Second, these boys can play. I would describe their music as somewhat complex (bordering on math rock?) and many of their songs culminated in a little bit of a jam (with their dual guitars and great drumming), and they would just stop the song on a dime impressive. Although not jaw dropping, (as the guy in the Splendid review wrote), I really liked them. They played about an hour set, and then a 3-song encore, all of which I enjoyed. I ended up purchasing the latest album, <I>The Egg</I> at the show. Ive only spun it once, but so far although it sounds good, it doesnt seem to capture their live intensity. Definitely worth checking out the live show if youre into this sort of thing.
Stone |
| a day that will live in infamy... | Rae
Apr 16, 2002 6:21 AM | | Nice review, Stone. I wish I could've caught these guys when they were here (April 4th-- they're moving slowly) but alas, I was too young at that point. Shiner sounds really great. How would you compare them against the "DeSoto sound"? Your description makes them sound a little like Juno, but without the three-guitar attack. I know it's hard to be objective, but do you think that <i>The Egg</i> is worth picking up even if I haven't seen them live? I'll keep an eye out for it next time I'm at the record store. Too bad about Schatzi. Aren't they from Germany? That's what I got from their <a href="http://www.schatzi.net">web site</a> (<i>"German band bristling with spirited guitar melodies, artfully treading the line between mature sensibilities and youthful exuberance."</i>).
I saw some good shows over the weekend that I know I won't get around to actually reviewing. I caught Atmosphere, Heiruspecs, Aesop Rock, and Sage Francis (Non-Prophets) in the First Avenue main room on Friday (I didn't like Sage Francis, everyone else was ok); Les Savy Fav and the Apes (from Washington DC) at the St. Paul Student Center on Saturday (my birthday!!-- the Apes were a good show but I wouldn't buy the record, Les Savy Fav was a great show and I have the record); Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek (Reflection Eternal) and Blackalicious in the First Avenue main room on Sunday (I just wasn't feeling Blackalicious, which came as a disappointing surprise, but Kweli was the greatest thing since, well, the Mos Def show earlier this year); and Wicketran with Hella and Xiu Xiu in the Entry later Sunday night (Wicketran was stellar, Hella was too polite).
I have tickets to see many shows the rest of this weekend, too-- Hrvatski and Greg Davis tonight, The Church and love-cars tomorrow, Super Furry Animals with CEX on Thursday, "Anything Goes" on Friday (hey, it's not indie rock all the time <img src="http://www.cmj.com/ubb/wink.gif">), Billy Bragg and the Blokes with Black '47 on Saturday, and the Ladybug Transistor with the Essex Green for an E6 throwdown in the Entry on Sunday. Phew! Hopefully I'll report about at least one of those.
~Rae |
| Germany? | Stone
Apr 16, 2002 6:57 AM | | That's on Schatzi's website? If you check the contact info, or AMG, they say they're from Austin. Plus they announced it at the show.
If you're patient, there may be a little shiny disc coming your way with a Shiner song on it soon. I think you'd probably like them. They are similar to Juno I'd say. I need to spend more time with <i>The Egg</i> before I give it a yay or nay, though.
Sounds like you're going to be one busy guy in the near future. Be thankful there are so many good shows to see. I'm also going to check out Ladybug Transistor and The Essex Green next week. There is a local band opening, called the Icicles, that I <i>am</i> interested in seeing. They're on Drive-In records. Should be a good show. I really like Ladybug Transistor's <i>The Albemarle Sound</i> a lot.
Stone |
| odd. | Rae
Apr 16, 2002 7:18 AM | | Who knows, then. Would bad pop-emo be more excuasble if they were from Germany instead of Texas? (Nahh.)
So the Ladybug Transistor is all that, eh? That's good to hear. I was half-considering ditching that show and seeing local boy Martin Devaney at the Dinkytowner, but I won't now that it's got the Stone-SOA. Hey, while you're at it, help me settle these show conflicts--
* Sunday, April 28th: Pedro the Lion and Damien Jurado at First Avenue or the newly-reformed 12<i>RODS</i> at the Dinkytowner??
* Friday, May 3rd: Rev. Horton Heat and Nashvilly Pussy at First Avenue or the Apples (In Stereo) at the St. Paul Student Center??
* Friday, May 10th: Bright Eyes with the Good Life at the Women's Club or the Polara CD release show in the 7th St Entry??
I'm deadlocked!
~Rae |
| Flip a coin. | Stone
Apr 16, 2002 9:14 AM | | The only one I'll comment on is the last one. Although I love the Saddle Creek stuff (and a Good Life tune is on my upcoming comp), I'd probably go with Polara. I think Bright Eyes would likely be kinda boring live, although I haven't seen him (nor have I seen Polara or The Good Life).
Stone |
| Please report back on Billy Bragg & The Blokes! (nt) | Audio Girl
Apr 17, 2002 2:16 AM | | nt |
| will do, Mary! (nt) | Rae
Apr 17, 2002 11:02 AM | | |
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