The 90’s Return w/ Quicksand, The Pixies & Weezer + Helmet & more

Summer is in full swing & with lots of fun nostalgia for Summers past – Alot of the bands that were huge in the 1990’s are still bringing it hard & quite a few with new LPs & tours that make them just as relevant today & not an oldies act at all.

The Pixies & Weezer – June 27th –  Dos Equis Pavilion – Dallas, TX

To go to an outdoor show in Texas in the Summer is a rite of passage but with that comes serious commitment. You agree to shake hands with the devil, dress as loosely as possible and take on the heat to see your favorite act in person. This was the case for those of us wanting to have a lit Summer & checking out the Pixies & Weezer at the newly names Dos Equis Pavilion (or whatever their calling Starplex these days).

Stragglers cheered as Pixies frontman Frank Black entered the stage followed by bandmates Paz Lenchantin, Joey Santiago and David Lovering. The Pixies started their roughly 70-minute set to seated but enthusiastic fans like us. While I can say that I’ve become “accustomed” to seeing the Pixies indoors & smaller, more intimate venues, that in itself is a strange statement as it’s still insane to be able to say we are seeing the Pixies at all.

I come from that unfortunate generation that was too young to see their original go around when they playing small age restricted clubs who waited 12 excruciating years waiting for the impossible to happen & when the reunion did actually take place in 2004 you bet your ass I was at Coachella up front.
I mention that show & a few other times I’ve seen them since outdoors, ACL that year, Voodoo in New Orleans the next etc but those shows didn’t feel unengaged, they felt like you were still witnessing history. Now that it’s 2018 & Kim Deal is gone (& for some it’s no Kim = no Deal) & they are essentially opening for Weezer & a modest slot it’s difficult to know exactly how to react. This says nothing about the band’s ability to deliver as I just saw them headline a small theatre last year & it was one of the best shows I’ve ever seen.

The Pixies performed on a stripped-down stage with no pyrotechnics or screen with flashing images which was perfect & in stark contrast to what was to come later in the evening. When Here Comes Your Man started its first few notes, standing had become a requirement if you wanted to see the show. Approaching darkness as the heat started to drop, crowd & band continued to loosen up to an explosive room screaming lyrics right back at them.

Setlist – 

Ed Is Dead
Nimrod’s Son
Where Is My Mind?
Winterlong (Neil Young cover)
Ana
Mr. Grieves
The Holiday Song
Vamos
Silver Snail
Wave of Mutilation (UK Surf)
All the Saints
Here Comes Your Man
Gouge Away
Bel Esprit
Caribou
Hey
Gigantic
Monkey Gone to Heaven
Classic Masher
All I Think About Now
Debaser

As the amphitheater darkened once again and the crowd roared its approval, the curtain dropped to reveal Weezer on a set re-creating Arnold’s diner from the music video for Buddy Holly. Rivers Cuomo was front and center, adorned in a sweater and tie, with bandmates Scott Shriner, Pat Wilson and Brian Bell immediately jumping into their original breakout hit.

The crowd sang along word for word, not only to this song but every song, during the 75-minute set as Weezer played most of its much-revered Blue Album, skipping only three songs. It played with the same earnestness and heart that made the Blue Album the anthem for everyone who felt like the underdog as a teenager.

Weezer’s show was the exact opposite of the Pixies;, with streamers shooting into the crowd and three set changes that took them from the set of “Buddy Holly” to a mock-up of a suburban garage to an ’80s-inspired set, hanging cold metal designs ablaze in pyrotechnic glory that would look at home at a Van Halen concert. Cuomo changed into four outfits while performing. It was usually a simple jacket change, but the effort was there to create an experience for the fans.

Demonstrating the timeless appeal of Weezer and its poppy, candy-coated heartache brand of music. To put in perspective, someone who was 10 when Weezer’s first album released in May 1994 is 34 now, so people who were babies when the “Sweater Song” slipped onto the radio still found its message relatable.

Cuomo, in his awkward way (is it real or the greatest character ever played?), proved to be a more than capable showman — at one point jumping on a scooter and riding into the fans. He jumped on a stage where the seats met the lawn and played an acoustic version of Islands in the Sun for the screaming cheap seats.

As the night came to a close with the final song, Say It Ain’t So, the crowd was still in full attendance, no one taking part in the beat-the-traffic shuffle. Work or no work the next day, there was a shared feeling that leaving early might make you miss something, which is a rare feat to accomplish now. When the last words were sang and Cuomo made his hands into a ‘W’ to the audience, the packed amphitheater did the same.

Set list:  

Buddy Holly
Beverly Hills
Hash Pipe
Undone — The Sweater Song
Franks and Beans
A Perfect Situation
My Name is Jonas
El Scorcho
In My Garage
No One Else
Happy Together (The Turtles cover) (with a snippet of “Longview” by Green Day)
Keep Fishin’ (Brian on vocals)

B Stage 

Island in the Sun (Rivers solo acoustic)
Wonderwall (Oasis cover) (Rivers solo acoustic)

The Good Life
Feels Like Summer
Africa (Toto cover)

Encore: 

Tired of Sex
Say It Ain’t So

Helmet – July 4th – Gas Monkey Bar & Grill – Dallas, TX

Getting spoiled with Helmet shows in the Dallas area this year as this marks their second time this year & seemingly a handful in just the past 12 months (mostly at this very venue). the NYC legends returned once more for a special afternoon show in order not to compete with the evening’s festivities celebrating our nation’s independence.

This show was so loose & fun & the early start time & it being a holiday made it feel more like a private show than a tour stop (in fact I think it very well could have been, like the owner just wanted them here, or they were looking for a pickup date cause this show wasn’t announced to soon before the actual event). Running through tons of their classic material as well as songs from their most recent LP 2016’s Dead to the World.

At one point after the main set, it just became fan’s choice (& I’m gonna take a bit of credit for them treating us to Sinatra haha)
Good times & the perfect way to spend a Summer Holiday afternoon.

Setlist

Like I Care
Life or Death
Driving Nowhere
Blacktop
Red Scare
Bad Mood
Renovation
Drunk in the Afternoon
I ♥ My Guru
Milquetoast
Give It
Bad News
Wilma’s Rainbow

Encore:

Unsung
Sam Hell
Sinatra
Turned Out
In the Meantime

Quicksand – July 25th – Gas Monkey Live – Dallas, TX

Let’s get one thing straight: The first 2 Quicksand LPs released between 1993 & 1995 had as big of impact on me as just about anything else. Couldn’t overstate the influence, joy & longstanding memories this beloved band of mine has brought me for most of my adult life.

Having them back in my life after 22 years is a gift & last year’s Interiors topped our year end list. I didn’t get to see their show last year, their first time back in Dallas in almost 20 years but was dissapointed to hear that guitarist Tom Capone wasn’t participating & sadly for the reasons why.

Was excited to hear they were returning, even as a three piece, but let me say this: It didn’t work & this show was very weird for me.
Here’s why: I don’t know if it’s a case of You Can Never Go Home Again (see Chainsaw Kittens) or that they were dressed more likely to attend a volleyball game (though I can’t blame them, it is Texas in July) or that they were going on so early etc – But this show felt almost like a cover band.

Once I got past the sheer excitement that these guys were in front of me again (as Quicksand) it felt more like a rehearsal to the show – I kept waiting (subconsciously) for Capone to come out to fill out the sound & add his imitable solos & riffs. Bassist Serge & main man Walter did their best to pick up the slack & for all intents & purposes it is Walter’s band but it’s sheer arrogance to think they continue this way.

Also, I’ve changed alot in 22 years – I had no idea how much they sounded like Fugazi in 1993 cause I was new to that band too then. It never occured to me how much Walter sounds like Ian Mackaye when he sings & seemingly purposefully so.
Don’t get me wrong, I love these guys & want them to succeed & love the new record & it wasn’t all bad. I found myself tearing up during Freezing Process & it brought a strong wind of nostalgia but largely this show was embarassing & unnecessary & I hope that will change & soon cause I can’t get these songs out of my head again.

Setlist – 

Head To Wall
Brown Gargantuan
Omission
Divorce
Freezing Process
Illuminant
Warm and Low
Fazer
Blister
Shovel
Cosmonauts
Under the Screw
Lie And Wait
Thorn in My Side
Landmine Spring
Dine Alone
Delusional

Photos – 

Roy Turner

Spring Fling with the Return of The Pixies, Brant Bjork & More (Spring/2017)

The Pixies – April 29th – The Bomb Factory – Dallas, TX

To say there was a buzz in the air would be an understatement – This band will never not command the kind of manic must-see mania no matter who’s playing bass for them it seems. They just have that gravitational pull to them, even just saying their name conjures an irresistiable mystique.
After long-time member (& much to founder Black Francis’ chagrin) & for some the face & heart of the band Kim Deal left in 203 a mere week into recording their long-awaited comeback LP a few cried “No Kim, No Deal”.
Not the case on this evening as I’ve never seen this place so packed. Like I knew it was sold out & arriving literally seconds before they took stage and stressing to get my photographer into the pit before it closed but you couldn’t move.

In 2014 they delivered their first new studio work with the multi-EP series Indie Cindy and last year released their first proper studio album, Head Carrier, since 1991’s Trompe Le Monde. The new songs retain the Pixies sound & they play more than half of the new LP.

With zero talk between songs, the band hammered through a marathon set of over 30 songs & with a show that long it’s amazing how well Black Francis’ voice sounded as strong as ever, Joey Santiago was typically flawless, and the rhythm section of drummer David Lovering and new bassist Paz Lenchantin were very strong.

I’m proud to say that I was able to attend their original return at Coachella back in 2004 – It really felt like hell had truly frozen over & was a glorious moment. I caught four more shows on that tour. During their 90s hiatus I worked at an indie record store seeing their influence everywhere & lamenting with the store’s owner about what it look like if they were ever to reform.
Oddly in a strange form of universal kharma, the first person I saw when I ran into the near fire-hazard of a crowd was the store owner, whom I haven’t seen in 15 years.

The final songs of the set were among my faves as the ones they started with, culminating with my absolute.
The band would take a bow, the smoke machines would shroud them completely. Soon it became apparent it was a metaphor when you heard the unmistakable first notes of Into the White. While Lenchantin admirably filled original bassists Kim Deal’s shoes, there was little emphasis on the songs that featured Deal’s vocals so I was certain we wouldn’t be hearing this one & was seriously losing my shit when we did.

Setlist – 

Where Is My Mind?
Nimrod’s Son
The Holiday Song
Vamos
All the Saints
Ana
Brick Is Red
La La Love You
Mr. Grieves
Break My Body
Blown Away
Winterlong (Neil Young cover)
Ed Is Dead
Gouge Away
Um Chagga Lagga
Caribou
Bel Esprit
River Euphrates
Head Carrier
Wave of Mutilation
All I Think About Now
Debaser
Oona
Monkey Gone to Heaven
Classic Masher
U-Mass
Head On (The Jesus and Mary Chain cover)
Rock Music
Tame
Hey

Encore: 

Into the White

 

Brant Bjork – April 28th – Gas Monkey Bar & Grill – Dallas, TX

What better way to end this glorious month of fun activity than with the original drummer & founder (& all around awesome dude) of Kyuss, Brant Bjork. Touring in support of last year’s Tao of the Devil it was great to see Brant & co in top form.


An unexpected surprise was towards the end when he brought out another desert legend in Sean Wheeler from Throw Rag & a million other projects for a few tracks including an awesome cover of the Stones’ Jumpin Jack Flash – Check out Sean with the the Mutants & more with my man Dave Catching’s release party for his Shared Hallucinations Vol 1 on May 27th at Pappy & Harriet’s. Good times.

Setlist –

Buddha Time (Everything Fine)
Controllers Destroyed
Humble Pie
Stackt
The Gree Heen
Lazy Bones/Automatic Fantastic
Stokely Up Now
Freaks of Nature  (with Sean Wheeler)
Jumpin’ Jack Flash  (The Rolling Stones cover) (with Sean Wheeler)

Encore: 

Low Desert Punk
Let the Truth Be Known

Photos – 

Roy Turner
Jason Dyer
Mike Brooks
Phil Clarkin
Tim Sheehan

Rawking w/ The Pixies, Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings & more (Sept 2010)

The Pixies – Verizon Theatre – Dallas, TX – September 19th 2010

(Editor’s Note: – Much of this entry first appeared in my article for Jam Magazine here -)

 There is just something about the Pixies that just breeds a special type of giddy excitement. It would be arrogant of me to even try to explain why, but I will have no problem expressing how it feels.
a) This was their first show in Dallas in six years, and only their second since their much maligned breakup almost 20 years ago.
b) The occasion of this tour is to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their landmark LP Doolittle which they were set to perform in its entirety, including the litany of b-sides that were associated with the project.
c) It’s the fucking Pixies!!

So with that sense that you were seeing something rare and special and finally getting your hands on something that you have long been denied, the eruption from the crowd (clearly made up mostly of a generation that never got to see them originally) was deafening when they took stage. In true Pixies spirit of unpredictability they started with the b-sides, beginning with Dancing the Manta Ray. Kim Deal in all her ridiculously likable awkwardness would go to the mic every few songs and shout “More b-sides!”

And I couldn’t be happier by this announcement because not only were actually seeing the Pixies; we were given a chance to hear songs like Weird at my School, Manta Ray, and Bailey’s Walk. However these seemed like warm-ups or maybe it was just lack of recognition from the audience because as soon as that undeniable opening riff of Debaser started the place really came alive and those that were previously sitting were now on their feet. I’ve always found the real excitement in live performance was the surprise of not knowing what was coming next, however there was a comfort knowing that you were gonna hear No. 13 Baby and when you were gonna hear it.

After the sing-alongs of their biggest hits Where is my Mind? and Gigantic , Deal again takes to the mic with that little coda she does at the end where she address the other members individually telling them that she wanted a chance to tell them goodnight in case she doesn’t get a chance to later. So as they were all telling each other goodnight a la The Waltons , she then faces the crowd and says ” Goodnight everybody“.

Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings – Southside Music Hall – Dallas, TX – September 23rd

Editor’s Note: – Much of this entry first appeared in my article for Jam Magazine here

If you’ve seen Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings live, then it’s my bet you’ll do what you can to catch them the next time they swing through your town in a blaze of horn-heavy deep-funk and soul-revival splendor. They are that good.

Sharon Jones is a soul-singing dynamo, and the Dap-Kings are just ridiculously tight and professional players of authentic soul, funk, and gospel. Chanteuse and band are greatly complemented, their dapper restraint the perfect backdrop for her no-nonsense, incendiary stage presence.

There were no bells or whistles in terms of stage set, just a black backdrop with the initials SJDK in white lettering-ßall the fire was in the performers themselves. Jones owned the stage, strutting her way around it in a short, sequenced, mint-green dress, the band behind her in dark-colored suits that just permeated the room with hip sophistication.

 
They played an explosive set consisting of a good deal of songs off their latest release, ILearned the Hard Way. Sharon Jones would hoist members of the audience up on stage throughout the course of the night, which was a success most of the time, but sometimes was more awkward than anything. A few of the guys she brought up on stage to serenade did nothing but sway around nervously with an embarrassed smile on their face, but at one point she called six or seven women up on stage and the eclectic mix of personalities all were getting down appropriately and gelled into a kind of funky chorus line as Sharon Jones went wild in front of them.

The unequivocal highlight of the show was Sharon Jones and her irrepressible, never-ending energy, which along with the amount of sweat dripping from trumpet-player Dave Guy constituted the two seemingly supernatural phenomena of the night. Her intensity never came close to waning, and, to be honest, the audience wasn’t up to task. The crowd should have been a full-bore, sweat-dripping dance party, and though there were people dancing, it was fairly restrained for all that Sharon Jones was putting out. That would have been the ideal situation, but realistically it would have taken the bartenders slipping something extra in the drinks for anyone to even think about having a chance to keep up with the “dynamite” queen of funk and soul.

Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings restore my faith in a band’s ability to preserve a type of music while still making it sound timeless. The ensemble has it all: Virtuoso talent, songs that hearken the golden days of soul music, a catalog that has its own classy edge. They played 100 Days, 100 Nights for the encore and left the stage for good to another round of wild applause. Just the real deal.
Sadly we missed openers Grace Potter & The Nocturnals who are also killer.