We sent our NYC correspondent, also named Dan (pen name “Chad Popular”), to experience Gov’t Mule with opening band Wolfmother over the weekend. Here’s his review.
-amit
Gov’t Mule with special guest Wolfmother
September 9, 2006 @ McCarren Park Pool, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY
Let me start this by saying that it was my roommate’s birthday the night before this show and I did not sleep the night before. I was hungover and tired and honestly, pounding decibal levels rattling my brain via my earholes was the last thing I wanted to experience. However, having been to the McCarren Park Pool before, I knew that it was an incredible venue - a drained Olympic-sized pool in which the audience literally stands. The band plays on an elevated stage above the deep end. I was in for an experience.
I had never really heard Wolfmother. They were just a cool new band that I had downloaded on iTunes in hopes that someone would come over and be like, “Dude, you like Wolfmother?”? and I would reply, “Who doesn’t?”? Any reservations I had about my mood and physical state were diffused as I entered the venue and heard the pleasing sound of what could have been a Black Sabbath reunion concert. But alas, it was the Australian band, Wolfmother.
They are awesome.
posted on 11:13 am 09/12/2006Exclusives, Headlines, Music, Reviews | Comments (1) | Permalink |
The Whigs played the HiTone in Memphis, TN on August 8th, 2006 and our correspondent, Brent, was lucky enough to attend the show and write a review. Here’s his review:
-amit
The Whigs made their second foray into Memphis this past Wednesday night (08/02) at midtown Memphis’ HiTone Café. Recently signed to ATO Records, home to such artists as My Morning Jacket, Ben Kweller, and Gomez, The Whigs always seem to draw well in bassist Hank Sullivant’s hometown.
Having been heralded by the likes of Fader Magazine, Pop Matters, and Rolling Stone (“may well be the best unsigned band in America†extolled Rolling Stone, pre-ATO), Athens, GA darlings The Whigs have come into their own as a rock n’ roll tour-de-force. From the tight opening lines of “Like a Vibration†to the manic energy of “OK, Alright†and crowd favorite “Technology,†The Whigs seem like seasoned vets rather than 3 20-somethings that signed a major label deal two hours after their last collegiate exam.
Evoking some of the bands from the Elephant 6 collective, The Whigs have a certain pop sensibility that doesn’t threaten to overshadow their indie rock roots. Become the toast of a musically spoiled town like Athens doesn’t come easy though. Lead singer Parker Gispert and the boys played 2+ solid years of shows in the Athens/Atlanta area while building up a stellar live reputation and a significant fan base, many of whom knew every word, despite the lack of any recorded material. That all changed in the summer of 2005.
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Rappers understand the value in entertainment. They play for live shows. They put on whatever persona they need to do a song and then play it like they have always meant it. They consider themselves first and foremost entertainers. This makes all the difference in the world. They play for the audience. Rappers want you involved. They want you to put on your persona. If you do it, you might have the time of your life.
The only reason this show isn’t given a score in the 9’s is that I couldn’t hear what Lyrics Born was saying half the time. The sound was all off. Please, please, let’s sacrifice some base for some treble when the show is not the beat but the fact that Lyrics Born is one of the most crazy inventive, talented rappers on the face of the planet. His words are gold.

Example: “…. won a tug-of-war with a Minotaur then I toured the far North on a Portuguese Man-of-War. Santa Claus handed me a catalogue, the envelope attached on it said that you can have it all. So I got an antelope from Manitoba, salad bowl, a catapult, a can of soda, paddle boat, a camera phone…” He said that in 10 seconds. Lyrics Born say “what?!?”
By the way, I want everyone to notice the fact that those lyrics are in iambic form.
Seriously, I could have listened to this man for another hour with bad sound. He was completely in the zone. His back-up singer/girlfriend, Joyo Velarde, was unbelievable. I do wish he had played “Changed My Mind” and “The Last Trumpet” but oh well. I guess I will have to see him again.
Score: 8.7/10.0
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First and foremost, the highlight of the show was Devendra asking a random kid in the audience to play a song. Not because it was the best part of the show but because it was the most memorable part. These are often believed to be the same thing, and I am sure it is one of the first topics that everyone talked about when relating the show to friends and family. A fifteen year old kid got on stage and sang a not bad song about living in the era of Bush miscues.
Now the best part of the show was what came after. They started getting into it. Which shouldn’t be exceptional. I mean these guys are professionals. Where is the damn professionalism? The first half of the show was honestly boring. Then Devendra looked like he got a bug in him and started being the crazy hippie we all know he can be. In addition he had a band that also sold themselves as some crazy hippies. Now, these aren’t selling you veggie burrito hippies. These are “I have never seen someone on peyote until now” hippies. They opened the show by howling for the Mother Wolf for Pete’s sake. No really, they were howling. For a whole unexplainable minute, they were howling. WTF mate?
But once they got into it, Devendra sang and danced and was a great frontman. The rest of the band hit the notes played the chords and really gave it the 1-2. Its just a shame it took half a show. Maybe they can make the best part of the show the most memorable, but they might have to lay off the peyote.
Score: 7.0/10.0
Favorite Song: “Long Haired Child”
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So, Andrew Bird is a goon. Let’s get that out of the way right now. But not like “man, he sure is socially awkward” goon. More like “man, I don’t think he knows what reality is” goon. His lyrics have always been cryptic. I always thought it was just because he is a ridiculously talented writer. Which he is. However, he probably wakes up every few days thinking he is Joan of Arc. Don’t pull the lighters out for an encore on those days, kids.
This makes so much more sense! Seriously, I can stop trying to decipher lyrics like “bird of prey macramé,” chalk it up to being gibbery-goo, just enjoy the sounds he is making, and stop drinking myself to sleep.
By the way, when watching him, I realized that he probably learned to play violin before he learned to sing. Consequently, his voice sounds like a violin. Crazy, right? No, no, I really do believe he tries to imitate his violin and it comes off smashingly. Check it out.
With the assistance of his quite talented percussionist/keyboardist, Kevin O’Donnell, Andrew layered, whistled, plucked, and just plain rocked out with his cock out with some mid-tempo rock and a violin in hand. This man is talented and everyone walked away from the tent with the knowledge that he also knows how to make the room go “man, that was hot.”
Score: 8.4/10.0
Favorite song:
“Satisfied”
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