Am I the only person from the 80s who missed The Smiths? I lived in Tokyo and Japan just ignored them - guess an Oscar quoting gladi toting singer wasn’t in their equation. So when I got offered tickets to see Modest Mouse – and therefore Johnny Marr – I wasn’t saying ‘no’.
Modest Mouse is another band that’s escaped my radar. In my universe, band names are iconic and make-ya-wanna-see-em….and you are: modest. No thanks. But I loved the idea that Johnny Marr answered their want-ad seeking a guitarist who sounded like Johnny Marr and the subsequent album veered from good to excellent, though the singer’s vocal style is an acquired taste.
The Albert Hall is a unique room, with a domed ceiling about a thousand feet above you and tiers of boxes and seats rising up until they’re lost in the mist. MM’s great achievement was to make it feel like a club gig. And what an interesting group they are. I love me a band with two drummers, but how many have two bass players? And banjo….there’s not enough banjo in rock and roll. Mr. Marr was everything I’ve heard about but I wasn’t ready to hear David Byrne filtered through Manchester.
I decided to do an Amber and get as close as possible and take photos. I was using my Nokia, so quality isn’t fantastic and I couldn’t get any shoe shots because they had old-fashioned monitors strung right across the stage front. (Allowing Johnny to make the time honoured signs for more volume from him, the drummer, the guitar…it’s always more. Does anyone ever want less?) I will try harder next time.
My Trusted MOGs
So, besides hearing "David Byrne filtered through Manchester," how was the show?
My Trusted MOGs
I'll see them next month...........and I can't wait.
My Trusted MOGs
Nicki - it was really good. As I said, they made it feel intimate but at a huge volume. (My hearing was shot inside 5 minutes.) The singer was on the other side of the stage so even though he was shouting I couldn't hear the lyrics; he sounded like another instrument. I liked the fact that he played banjo on several numbers so it was more than a novelty. The rhythm section was like a train that could not be derailed and I thought it significant that at one point Marr signalled to turn the drums up - he was reallly locked in a four-step with them on his rhythm licks. The only low point was they did a song like 'Missed The Boat' to sound like the record rather than adjust it to work on stage...or maybe the mixer wasn't up to the job. Good night out.
My Trusted MOGs
I missed The Smiths as well....I guess I continue to miss them. I did rather enjoy Marr's solo album _Boomslang_ that came out a few years ago though. I just bought a banjo a couple of weeks ago. My sole intention is to bring it to the rockers. A very intuitive instrument, I just brought it home and played it.
Glad you got to see the boys, I have yet to see them.
My Trusted MOGs
I'd love to see MM. Go you!