Brooke Fraser played to a sold-out, standing room only audience at the Triple Door last night in support of her new album, Flags, her third in seven years. The New Zealand-born Fraser won an award for International Achievement at the New Zealand Music Awards 2009.
In the mid-nineties there existed a short period of time where great rock bands hit it big with novelty songs. At the time these novelty songs raised the question of whether the bands would be remembered past tomorrow or whether they would be relegated to one-hit wonder status. “Not If You Were the Last Junkie on Earth” by the Dandy Warhols is probably the best example. It was actually taken from their second album, The Dandy Warhols Come Down.
Fortunately the Dandy Warhols, with their psychedelic tinged, Velvet Underground influenced rock and roll, thrived. They released album after solid album and their songwriting seemed to strengthen with each album. Fifteen years later, they’re better than ever. On Friday Courtney Taylor-Taylor and company played the Showbox in support of their retrospective release, The Capitol Years 1995-2007.
A Dandy Warhols show is made for a venue like the Showbox. Their sound filled the room effortlessly and the bohemians, out in full force, were dancing throughout the entire set. The set was a “greatest hits” set in a sense. The Dandys reached far into their back catalog, playing a spirited version of “Lou Weed.” The crowd danced and clapped along to “Not If You Were the Last Junkie on Earth” as Zia McCabe rocked the tambourine.
The majority of the set came from the Dandys’ next two releases. “Thirteen Tales” from Urban Bohemia was represented well with “Godless,” “Get Off,” “Horse Pills” and “Bohemian Like You,” their biggest hit. “Solid,” the song that served as the theme to Undeclared, Judd Apatow’s ill-fated show about college, received a warm welcome as well. “We Used to Be Friends” was another high-energy highlight. The Dandy Warhols sounded great all night. McCabe and Taylor-Taylor routinely addressed the audience, keeping us engaged between songs.
Unfortunately they failed to play “All the Money or the Simple Life Honey” and “Every Day Should Be A Holiday.” Despite these omissions the Dandys couldn’t have put on a better show. As good as their set at Bumbershoot was earlier this year, this show was better. The Dandys are best as a small venue/club act and at the Showbox they proved it once again.
Review by Chris Senn
The Dandy Warhols – photo courtesy of their MySpace
The Chapin Sisters – Abigail and Lily – played at The Vera Project on Saturday as the last stop on their nearly three-month nationwide tour. They featured songs from their newly released second full-length album Two as well as their first release, Lake Bottom. Some music trivia … Abigail and Lily are the daughters of Grammy Award-winner Tom Chapin and nieces of the late Harry Chapin (“Taxi”, “Cat’s In The Cradle”).
Emerald Queen Casino lucked out by having the Black Crowes play their stage on Saturday night, and I’m pleased to display some of Graham Lee’s foxy, foxy shots of the band. The Black Crowes’ latest is a compilation called Croweology, featuring different arrangements of twenty Black Crowes songs.
The Black Crowes
DJ Colby B has left Seattle, and I am going to miss seeing her face, and will miss hearing her sets. I am sure she’ll back here for shows, but for now she has relocated to New York City! I’ve heard her sets several times, in several different venues and I have always loved them. She’s really talented and New York has gained a unique and expert DJ. I always think about how DJs need to read the crowd, but at the same time they have to set moods, and Colby does both so well. I think she really loves her work too, and that counts for so much. Farewell (but not goodbye) to Colby, whose gorgeous opening set for the Bloody Beetroots in a dark Showbox ended up being my last time seeing her spin. Colby, I couldn’t attend your farewell party, and I regret that – next time you are here, we get drinks.
DJ Colby B – all photos by Dagmar