Piebald, Bowery Ballroom, NYC. 4/17/08
When our friend Amy Schuster told us that she couldn’t make it to our DJ gig we were gutted… but that’s only until she told us why: She was seeing Piebald’s last ever NYC gig. I guess the band is breaking up and Travis Shettell is playing in the Duke Spirit part time. Anyway, the ‘baldies weren’t about to go without a bang, it seems:
Photos from the show and more after jump
I can’t remember how my love affair with Piebald began. It was probably one of those nights I spent geeking out on the internet when I was in high school (and when that purple beta Napster was at my disposal).
Regardless, I was immediately smitten with them. Those Boston boys won me over ala the Wahlberg brothers with their brash attitude and heartfelt lyrics (sans baggy pants and a third nipple). I grew to feel like I knew the band through the years. Mostly thanks to MySpace, I was able to keep up on the band- Travis’ throat surgeries and the time he got mugged on his bicycle in Boston.
When I got wind of their last NYC show I got tickets faster than you can say, “Hey! You’re part of it!” I was certainly sad, but super psyched that the ‘bald decided to go out in style. And they did not disappoint.The sold out show on Thursday night was all that I could have hoped for.
Unfortunately I missed the Piebald Karaoke portion of the night. There was a good reason though (Mac N Cheese). Plus, my companion and I were both afraid I might decide to dis-Grace Kelly myself. There is a bad scene involving a PA system and The Cure’s “Friday I’m In Love” which I don’t care to discuss. Aaaanyway.
I made it to the Bowery Ballroom just in time to nod my head appropriately to a few songs by Clouds. They seemed to rock pretty hard, but quite honestly I was too giddy to give them the attention they deserved.
Piebald took the stage, unassuming and grateful to their fans.The vibe was a joyful one, if bittersweet. Everyone was sad the ride was over,but we were all so happy to be a part of Piebald’s last NYC show. A few people I talked to were lucky enough to be going to the Boston shows as well, which I’m sure will be chock full of noise and nostalgia.
The hour and a half set was amazing. Everyone was dancing and singing and having the time of their lives (myself included). I have photographic proof of this. I was so happy when they played “Long Nights” I thought I might spontaneously combust.
It was about that time when people started pouring onto the stage, and a party broke out for the encore (probably because there were drums).Mayhem ensued, but the good kind. Emotion radiated across the room and everyone felt like they really were part of it; something important, something that was ending;and the significance was tangible.
When Travis closed the show, he raised his fist and shouted,“This is the end of an era, thank you very much!” It was enough to break my American heart.
