Let me just say that although I was too slow to catch Roky Erickson, I have listened to one of his albums online and it is phenomenal. I strongly urge anyone who likes psychedelic rock, blues, or rockabilly to give it a listen. I am quickly learning that this man is a legend and I have been living under a rock.
I was elated to see one of my all-time favorite bands performing live at The Granada with a spectacular lights show and an audience of people who appreciate greatness. You might imagine how very devastated I was when the band called it quits after just one hour of outstanding music. It was 12 p.m. Midnight. Part of me still cannot believe it. At first I thought, Surely this is a set break? Then I wondered, Is the clock on my phone running slow? To my horror, neither of these were correct. Then again, upon review of their previous shows, I am reluctant to admit that this is the norm. Perhaps my expectations for bands has been set high by a few more enduring performers.
The Black Angels play the most face-melting, mind-burning, acidic, brilliant, exquisite blues rock psychedelia you can see without the aid of a time machine. They hail of Austin, Texas and come to Lawrence every once and a while. I was sad to miss them last year, but had unwittingly made other plans I could not cancel. Before that, I thoroughly enjoyed their two shows at The Bottleneck in April and October of 2011. I predicted they would move up to a bigger venue after their shows sold out. Sure enough, they filled The Granada - maybe not sold out, but close - and could do so again, I am sure.
Old favorites like "Black Grease" are still a part of the live show, as well they should be. "Young Men Dead" was awesome, "Telephone" of course, is fun and it was great to hear "Bad Vibrations" live. Naturally the band played several songs off their newest album, Indigo Meadow including the title track, which I enjoy, though I have to say I think "Evil Things" is my favorite song off the new record.
All throughout the show, weird, trippy lights and effects were played out on a series of white screens set up behind the band. A camera recording the band playing cast a warped, colorful sort of infinity-shot of the band stacked up behind them on the screens.
The crowd, I have to say, was quite reserved. I was unabashedly enthusiastic throughout the set, but I was absolutely in the minority. Granted, The Black Angels isn't exactly a dance-party. But still, most folks were just standing and staring, not so much as a head-bob or hip shake. Still, they cheered well enough between songs, and thankfully, won a hard-earned two-song encore from the band in the end.
I love The Black Angels, in case that wasn't clear. Their music is amazing and their live show is incomparable. Even if their show was a little on the short side, it was still well worth the money and I cannot wait to see them again. I am seriously considering what it would take to get down to Austin for Psych Fest. If you ever have the opportunity to see this band, do not miss out!
Now for Previews:
This Tuesday, Dopapod will be at The Bottleneck with 3 Son Green! Any fans of improvisational electronic jam bands needs to be there!
Friday and Saturday night, The Floozies will be doing a double-dose of electronic dance-party epic-ness at The Bottleneck. Everyone is going to be there at least one of the two nights, so buy your tickets before this sells out!
Looking further ahead into this month, there are a lot of amazing shows I'd love to see.
Neutral Milk Hotel will be at The Uptown on Thursday, February 13th! "In the Aeroplane over the Sea" will always have a special place in my heart, so, I kinda wanna see them just for that.
Friday the 14th, Ashes to Immortality will be at The Jazzhaus! Folksy bluegrass never sounded so good!
Saturday the 15th, Truckstop Honeymoon will be at The Bottleneck with Cowgirl's Train Set!
Sunday the 23rd, Skinny Puppy will be at The Granada. I have never gotten to see the live show, but I hear it is insane. I cannot wait!
See you out there!
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