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Can I just say... I fucking HATE Tramps. The site lines suck. There is an enormous support column directly in front of the stage. The acoustics are pathetic. It takes them forever to set up bands between sets (I can only guess this is done to sell more beer!). The woman setting up for The Wedding Present must have adjusted the lead singer's microphone 48 times. HELLO. I'd like to finish off this rant by saying that I really hate waiting around that place while they set up the main act. But the show was only $10 with tickets purchased in advance so I guess I can't complain too much!?!
So, needless to say, the venue makes a big difference in ones opinion of a show. Okay so it is a Saturday night and CMJ week... okay... so it was overly packed. I think I actually heard someone say the show was sold out. I probably should have hawked my ticket and jett'd. Live and learn. The place was packed shoulder to shoulder... cigarette smoke burning my eyes and I couldn't even afford a beer. This is clearly one of those moments when I prayed for a suger daddie to come along and say hey little boy can I buy you a beer. NO such luck. At least it would have chilled me out.
This time around they had only one drummer--for the last tour they had two. The dynamic was much better last time. The energy was stronger and the performance was significantly better. I don't know exactly what it is... maybe because "Mini" had just come out and it really ROCKS! They played all of "Mini" last time. This show was about 85% new material which all sounded good but seemed a lot more sedate than their more driving (so to speak) sound.
The lead singer, David Lewis Gedge, has got one of those impossible to understand Brit accents. So between songs his dialogue with the audience was nearly incomprehensible. This audience was particularly vocal too--constantly shouting out songs the band would never play. I don't quite understand this phenomenon - don't these people know bands ALWAYS have set lists... except possibly the Grateful Dead (RIP Jerry!).
"Click Click" from "Watusi" was quite rocking. The couple of tracks from "Mini" were fun and the new works were great previews of the upcoming album. Overall, I would say the show was a B-, between Tramps' horrible environment and the bands lack of enthusiasm it just didn't cut it.
Regardless of tonights show I still love The Wedding Present... so if you're not familar with their stuff and you want a recommendation pick up "Sea Monsters" it is absolutely brilliant. "Mini" is also excellent. Once you've digested those (The Wedding Present is a bit like single malt scotch it takes many tastings to appreciate!!) go on to "Hit Parade1" and "Hit Parade 2". You'll be hooked.
©2004 CB Cooke - | - glyph@panix.com - | - http://www.glyphmedia.com/host/darklight/