The Bravery with The Switches and Your Vegas at Terminal 5 in New York City. February 21, 2008
Part One:
I remember seeing the Bravery for the first time about 4 years ago in New York City at this small little club called Arlene’s Grocery. It was packed with industry folk trying to see if they were the next big thing or not, and if it weren’t for Sam Endicott’s incredible height I wouldn’t have been able to see him from the back of the room where I was stuck watching the band.
Last night wasn’t much different, except it was exactly the opposite, haha. I was stuck in the back again and so that was the part that wasn’t much different… but this time, it was because the place was packed with actual fans, and not the industry snobs that were attending that showcase years back (though I did see some of the same faces I saw that night, oddly enough).
I think I’ve heard the song “Time Wont Let Me Go” a bagillion times on TV in commercials and trailers and God knows whatever else I could possibly hear that song on. It’s got that awesome guitar line and lyrical hook that’s instantly recognizable, and instantly won the Bravery a sold out show last night in their home town.
So the band didnt get on stage last night until a little after 10pm, and after watching the two opening bands (whom i’ll talk about tomorrow and sunday), and after lurking the Empanada Mama’s stand that is really really oddly on the third floor of the venue, and after standing around painfully in my heels (which I had to wear so i could see the stage), I was relieved to hear the roar of the crowd as the band walked on to stage. They played songs from the first self-titled album, songs from The Sun and the Moon, and most surprisingly, they played songs from the part 2 of The Sun and the Moon that’s coming out in March. Sam described it as “Kind of a remix album, but not really at all. It’s basically the same album as before, but it’s not.”
OK…
I stalked their A&R person in the audience and was like “WTF is he talking about? What kind of Jedi talk is he saying?” Apparently the songs from The Sun and the Moon are getting reinterpreted in several different ways. Some will be done acoustic, some will be done with dub beats, some are getting new parts or some shit. I’m assuming this means that it wont be long before the songs are being used in a commercial for “Eli Stone”….
I kind of love Sam. He’s giant and has a great voice and despite the fact that I see him at rock bars more than on stage, he still looks like a rockstar up there infront of the crowd. Most of the time, once I see a dude at a bar enough times, and then see them on stage I’m like “What’s he doing up there again?” But not Sam. Really, however, my favorite is Dirt. He doesnt wear the eye make up he used to, and he isnt as gnarly on stage as he once was, but he’s just so entertaining to watch. Like a little windup toy. My friend is engaged to Mark from Ash and apparently the two of them have this love affair after doing a tour together and Mark named one of his cats after Dirt. These are details of people’s lives i like to know about. This is because I am forever 14 years old and petting the photos of bands i love.
And more Sam… and Dirt’s back…
Sam tossing his mic into the air:
The band…
Info: The Bravery, Switches, Your Vegas
