Last night the Raveonettes played a packed house at the Double Door in Chicago. It was my first time in the venue, and I was impressed. The place reminded me a lot of one of my favorite local venues that closed a few years ago; though Double Door is quite a bit larger. The old, black-painted interior with the dimly lit bar, an elevated stage and a great sound system felt exactly like my old bar used to feel though, and I couldn't have been happier about it.
The opening band for the night was Black Acid. Black Acid is a five piece band that sounds like what I would imagine Urge Overkill on shrooms would sound. The psychedilic influenced rock songs featured a repetitive set of lyrics that often ran out two to three minutes before the song did. Finding a good set of chords and playing them for an extended period of time seemed to be the band's only real strong point. Even the mediocre set of songs can be somewhat overlooked if the band had provided a more entertaining stage presence, but even that was absent. While most of the band stood rooted in spot, with the bass player facing away from the crowd, the lead singer would aimlessly wander around stage between stints at the mic; clapping at the end of his own songs and often giving the appearance that he forgot it was his band on stage. All in all, the band delivered a rather mailed-in perfomance, and I was relieved when they finally packed it in.
Up next were the Raveonettes. Four years have passed since I last saw this band. Their new album released here in the US a few weeks ago, and I was really looking forward to hearing the new songs live. I wasn't really sure what to expect for a touring setup. Last I saw them, they were touring with an extra guitar player and a drummer. After a small wait, Sharin and Sune took the stage accompanied by another woman who ended up running the laptronica and accentuating the recorded beats and noise with her own organic beats on a standing drum kit, consisting of a tom, a snare and a cymbal. As expected, the band were dressed in all black and white. Sune opted for the standard striped shirt with black pants, and Sharin was dressed in a stunning sequined long-sleeved blouse and skirt. The drummer was even decked out in black and wore a loose tee over a halter top and black, leather pants.
I'd positioned myself in the crowd so I could easily see both the mic stands at each side of the stage, but I was unable to see the middle part where the drum kit was stationed. This nearly proved to be a big mistake. The band started off with a song from the new album, and it wasn't long before I found myself bobbing and jumping in place. It took me a minute to realize that something was different. I've listened to the new album quite a bit since I got it, and I didn't remember it sounding like this. It was the drums! In the new album, the drums are mixed low behind the noise of the guitars and harmony of the vocals; not so for this show. As I peaked around the tall guy blotting out the center of the stage, I could see the drummer pounding out the bass line and rocking with the rythm of it, and I was hooked. Sharin may be the full moon that shines and awes me in the swirling noise of her and Sune's darkscapes, but it was the drummer's beat that entranced me last night. As the band played on through the night, I found myself watching the drummer as much as I was watching either Sune or Sharin. They played most of the new album and a good mix from their previous three albums. Several times throughout the night, the music hit that moment of perfection that forces my eyes closed, brings a smile to my face and fills me with pure, warm and fuzzy joy. The end came all too quickly, and the encore consisted of a single song. Even with a three hour drive ahead of me, I still found myself hoping for a second encore. I had to settle for a quick stop at the merch table and a walk across Wicker Park.
On the way home I put the new album on repeat and kept replaying the images from the night in my head. The way the stage was lit at times in blue and red lights, bathing the band in alternating hightlights reminiscent of the anachromed images from the new album. Sune's lanky form bent nearly in half as he plucked the perfect note from his guitar. Sharin sharing a smile with her bandmates or focusing her attention on her guitar as she holds her palm against the strings and conjures up her own batch of swirling noise. Mostly though, I thought of the drummer and her swaying and dancing to her own beat; occaisionally shutting her own eyes and soaking in the beauty of the noise they were creating. As I listened to the new album, I already missed those drums. I've never wished harder for a live album in my life. I think the show from the Double Door would have been perfect.
Thanks for reading.
My Trusted MOGs
Thanks for writing, Mike! I have got to see Sharin and Sune one of these days!
My Trusted MOGs
I haven't seen them since spring 2003, when I happened to be in Portland the same time as they were, also then in a full band lineup. They were good but not great then, but frankly I lost interest in the interim because of weak records. The new one isn't all that bad though. The last time I had that "pure, warm and fuzzy joy" was with APTBS when I saw them the first time, and for a few moments with The Gutter Twins. If the show made you wish for a live record ... well, that's something special. Glad to hear your trip was worth it!
My Trusted MOGs
Thanks Dale. I think you definitely need to catch them on this tour. I don't think you will be disappointed.
Pekka, I agree about the weak records comment. The second album was still good, but I struggle to find anything that totally pleases me on Pretty in Black. I really like the latest album though. I think it's a lot closer in style to the first one. There are few bands that bring me this kind of joy when I see them, but this show definitely took me there several times. I may just be being greedy, but I hope to see them again sometime this year.
My Trusted MOGs
well, crap. now you went and made me feel terrible about missing their show a couple of weeks ago. I had tickets, but also had a monster headache (that blossomed into a vile head cold) and opted to keep my brains in my skull.
looks like that was the wrong choice. I'm glad you had a great show though.
sigh...
My Trusted MOGs
You know, I looked for your review and couldn't find it. I guess that's why. Sorry to hear. I had to skip the two previous concerts (Rollins and The Dropkick Murphys) because of work, and I, somehow, lost my tickets for last night (Mike Doughty). So, I don't know that either of us are off to too great of a start this year. I'm really hoping they play Lolla or tour through here again. Maybe they'll play another show in Seattle and I can come visit. :)
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Evocative coverage, Z. Sure makes me wanna see 'em again...
My Trusted MOGs
Thanks Mike. That makes two of us that want to see them again. :)
My Trusted MOGs
Great descriptions Mike! They're moving fast and broad from DC to Dublin...too bad they're not heading south...love to see them, esp after reading your good time.
"occaisionally shutting her own eyes and soaking in the beauty of the noise they were creating" Nice moments too.
My Trusted MOGs
Hey there! It was great to watch her playing the drums like that. We're building quite the wish-list for Southern tours. I'll keep my fingers crossed for this band too. :) Thanks for reading.
My Trusted MOGs
"We're building quite the wish-list for Southern tours." hehee...this is something I've always vented about here. Thanks for your crossed fingers. ; )
My Trusted MOGs
wow. great review mike. i kept seeing this bands name but only heard them for the first time a few weeks ago. i am totally hooked on LLL. i bought the vinyl this weekend. sounds oh so sweeeeeeet. swoons away on guitars of mass destruction.
My Trusted MOGs
Thanks Mike. I was so happy to hear this album. It's a bit of a return to the sound of their first album. I think you'll like it too if you like this album. I bought the vinyl too. :) It took a bit longer to get ahold of, but it was worth it.
My Trusted MOGs
hey. whats up? I left a comment here earlier today and it is now gone? WTF!! Schloopy has been very hungry today. grr.
Anyway. I had asked if you got the 7" single with your copy of the vinyl. I said something about needing to seek out their first release and check it out.
My Trusted MOGs
Ah, well, the post didn't survive the night I guess. :( Ummm... it's a bit of a complicated story, but I bought both the version with the 7" and the UK version with the 3D glasses. I didn't mean to end up with 2 copies, but I did. Know anyone else with a turntable? :) I went out looking for a copy of the first album, Whip It On, on vinyl this morning. $100+. I'll stick with my CD for that one I guess.
My Trusted MOGs
yikes! 100 bones aye? that is a bit steep. i think i will seek out a digital copy instead of a vinyl treat.
3D glasses! That would be sweet. I bet things look pretty sweet with em on. It is one of my favorite releases this year so far. That guitar at the end of Aly Walk With Me is crazy. It sounds like they might have borrowed one of Oliver Ackerman's distortion pedals or something. Pure insanity.
Does the download code for the record include the two songs from the 7"? I have not tried downloading it yet.
My Trusted MOGs
No, I don't think it does. I haven't tried the download yet either though. I already had a leaked copy of the album and wasn't going to bother re-downloading it. The 3D glasses do make it look pretty cool. :) I'm assuming you got the 7" version right? If you need mp3s of it, I can get them for you.
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if you do have mp3s from the 7" would be a great help. my home computer is still down so when I am at home I use my wife's. I do not have the energy or motivation to lug my turntable upstairs hook it up and install the program to rip vinyl on her computer blah blah blah. if you have them readily available would be awesome.
so you are going to Monolith? That would be sweet. Everything seems to be lining up that I will for sure be there. I hope you can make it.
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I just bought my ticket a few minutes ago. Still trying to figure out arrival time/rental/etc. I will check on the mp3s for hte 7", but I already have a setup for ripping vinyl; so, it would only take a few minutes. I should have them up tonight.