Behind the Music: Travis Fans Get a Rare Personal Glimpse

An Acoustic Evening with Fran Healy and Andy Dunlop of Travis
November 3, Jammin Java, Vienna Virginia

Fans of the Scottish rock band Travis recently got an incredible opportunity to hear the band's two leading men in an intimate setting. Singer/guitarist Fran Healy and guitarist Andy Dunlop have spent the past few months touring American venues with their nearly three-hour acoustic set that spans the Travis catalogue. The DC area venue? Jammin’ Java!

For us lucky fans who got tickets to this show, (the club's capacity is just under 200) it was a brilliant evening. Healy told sweet, charming, sometimes funny stories between every song, accented by a Power Point slide presentation that began with what else but …a map of Scotland.

Some stories got behind the sentiments of the lyrics but, Healy warned, don’t’ read too much into certain lyrics. He said when writing the band's breakout hit, “Why Does It Always Rain on Me?” it was simply raining for his entire vacation. There was no hidden gloomy message behind that chorus. He added, though, that the opening lyrics about not being able to sleep though everyone says everything is all right, were inspired by his manager telling him by phone everything was fine even though he knew, in reality, it wasn’t, that their debut album at the time was barely selling.

In describing his inspiration for another song, Healy managed to connect Noel Gallagher of Oasis with Franz Kafka and the band the Connells. He’d been reading Kafka, fiddling around with the chords from the Oasis song Wonderwall, and a Connells song, when it all came together in the gorgeous ballad, “Writing to Reach You.”

Throughout the night, Healy wore his sweet modesty on his sleeve. He is clearly a regular bloke who never adapted even an ounce of the arrogant rock star persona. His stories were refreshing and utterly humble. He tells of writing a song for a girl he was dating who had moved away. He poured his heart out, recorded it, sent it to her, and then she barely acknowledged it, and he was left brokenhearted. Then there’s the song “My Eyes” in which he showed a slide of his adorable toddler, imploring the crowd to not take photos to protect his son.

What an incredible night of music. Everyone in that little room shed a tear at some point. Healy and Dunlop came out to greet fans after the show but the line was long and it was late and a work night, so my friend and I left. But we left in a dreamy state, with Fran’s gorgeous voice echoing in our heads.

U2 360: Incredible Visuals and Sound

Fed Ex Field, October 2009

If you haven’t yet seen U2 on this tour, no friend’s story, article, or even photo can prepare you for the massive claw set. It’s almost other-worldly and it’s no doubt utterly awesome. The 90,000 or so attendees all had a great view thanks to a massive 360-degree LCD screen, so big that it reportedly weighs 54 tons! It takes some 200 trucks to carry all the staging and crew.

The last time U2 attempted a stadium show (the last several tours utilized 20,000-seat arenas) was the somewhat disastrous PopMart tour. Even worse than the cheesy set were the horrendous acoustics. But this time, Bono had a vision and it worked. Somehow this claw helps funnel the sound and the acoustics were excellent.

Was surprised not to hear “Pride,” but apparently they’ve done quite a few shows this tour without it. This tour has leaned heavily on the new album though they played five new ones here at FedEx as opposed to the seven at many other shows. Also surprised that of the new ones, they neglected to play “Stand-Up Comedy,” which I think is among the best on the album.

And what’s a U2 show without a political message? During the show, Bono called for the release of Burmese activist Aung San Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize winner who has been under house arrest for more than 20 years. Her image appeared on the screens as Amnesty International activists lined the stage in unity. Later in the show, keeping with the human rights theme, the band played “Sunday Bloody Sunday” in honor of the brave souls protesting in Iran.

And another observation: It was a great two hours of music but these blokes have more than enough material that they should be going on sans opener and playing a solid three hours. That said, if you’re gonna have an opener, well, ya can’t do better than Muse. This rockin’ Brit band was the perfect complement to a great evening of music.

Set List:

Breathe, Magnificent, Get On Your Boots, Mysterious Ways, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For / Stand By Me (snippet), Elevation, Your Blue Room, Beautiful Day / Blackbird (snippet), New Year's Day, Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of, The Unforgettable Fire, Mofo (snippet) / , City Of Blinding Lights, Vertigo, Let's Dance (snippet) / , I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight / Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough (snippet), Sunday Bloody Sunday, MLK, Walk On
encores: One / Amazing Grace (snippet), Where The Streets Have No Name, Ultra Violet (Light My Way), With Or Without You, Moment of Surrender

Austin City Limits Fest: Stay Tuned!

ClubD will share her band notes following Austin City Limits, Oct 2 - 4.
Night shows planned:
John Dee Graham at Continental Club
Them Crooked Vultures at Stubb's
(hopefully) Devotchka at La Zona Rosa

& more!

Rusted Root Brings Utter Joy

Rusted Root, the State Theatre, Falls Church, VA
September 25

The Pittsburgh-based Rusted Root always puts on a stellar, high-energy live show. With a heavy influence on percussion, the roots rock band draws sounds from world music, especially African rhythms, to create their infectious sound.

This spring, they released their first studio album in 7 years, titled, Stereo Rodeo. They interspersed a few tunes from this new effort at the show and threw in old favorites, as well as fantastic covers of Elvis Presley's "Suspicious Minds" and Neil Young's "Cinnamon Girl."

They closed the show with "Ecstasy," a song that feels so utterly good, it makes me jump around like a jellybean on crack. Rusted Root is music therapy. Left the show feeling light and joyful.

ZZ Top; Still Kickin' after 40 Years

September 13

The bearded bad boys of blues-rock, ZZ Top rocked out on their first of two nights at the 9:30 Club. The Houston-based trio formed in 1969 and retain its original members--Billy Gibbons (guitar & vocals), Dusty Hill (bass & vocals), and Frank Beard (the drummer, and only one not actually sporting a beard).

Why, you may ask, would ZZ play a smallish venue such as the 9:30, which generally maxes out around 1,400. Local ZZ Top fans have Steven Tyler to thank. The lead singer of Aerosmith fell off the stage about a month ago, breaking his shoulder and thus cancelling the remainder of their tour. ZZ had been Aerosmith's opening act. The ZZ three were already revved up to tour, so they carried on in smaller venues, though at an elevated price. Tickets went for $75 + service fees.

From older bikers to young preppies, the crowd rocked out to all the classics, in a high-energy set that included "Cheap Sunglasses," "Sharped Dressed Man," "Legs," "Tush," and "Gimme All Your Loving." Gibbons had two rules for the crowd: he said there'd be no drinking during their gospel songs, and rule 2: there wouldn't be any gospel songs. The crowd roared. The club's acoustics were particularly good that night, and opening act, local blues-rockers Justin Jones & the Driving Rain, were the perfect complement to this rocking evening.

Long-Awaited Living Colour Show Does Not Disappoint

Living Colour, the Birchmere, September 1

It’s been six years since Living Colour’s last tour. They are back with a new disc, The Chair in the Doorway, and opened the tour on September 1 at the Birchmere. The nearly two-hour set showcased the stellar musicianship of these four New York lads. Three of the four are original members while bassist Doug came on board back in ’94.

Drummer Will Calhoun* had told me, “Bring earplugs, girl. It’s gonna be loud.” And he was right. But it was good loud. Living Colour’s sound fuses hard rock and metal, with funk, punk, and a bit of hip hop, ably led by Cory Glover’s talented vocals.

When they first hit the music scene in 1983, there was nothing quite like it. They were the first African American hard rock band and inspired the sound of other similar bands to come. The quartet burst into the public eye in 1988 with their radio hit, “Cult of Personality.” And they’re still touring and making new music. Of the songs they played from their new release, which wasn’t out yet at the time of this show, they complement their earlier sound well, with hard-driving beats and insightful lyrics.

*ClubD wishes to thank drummer Will Calhoun for putting her & ClubDave on the list for this show. We met barely two weeks earlier when he arrived in Reston, VA as the drummer for the Stanley Jordan trio. Meeting him: with his down-to-earth, goodhearted nature and spectacular smile, has been nothing short of a joy.

Virgin Mobile Fest Was Franz-Tastic

Recommended beverage: Starr Hill Wheat

(by far the best beer option there)

This year, a few distinct features set Virgin Mobile Fest apart from ones in recent years. First, it was free, absent even of those dreaded service fees, apparently a gift to us from the Virgin and Ticketbastard folks for years of loyalty. And, it took place at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD, as opposed to Pimlico Racetrack in Baltimore. Third, it was a single day instead of a whole weekend.

This was the first Virgin Fest that cooperated with my schedule, and so I spent the late afternoon and evening there. As with any free, and surprisingly well organized, event, the place was mobbed, though any potential troublemakers were already passed out on the lawn, no doubt from a Miller Lite/nicotine overdose. There were two stages: the main pavilion stage, snaked by two massive and unmoving lines on either end of people hoping to get into the pavilion, and a west stage, set up on the site of what’s usually a parking lot. Plus a dance tent seemed to be hopping, but noise levels exceeded what's acceptable for my old ears so I steered clear.

The bands I primarily came to see both performed at the west stage, but I did lounge on the lawn a bit too to catch a couple of main stage acts. Arrived just in time for Australian rockers Jet. Don’t let their preppy, clean-cut appearances deceive you. These guys rock hard. If you close your eyes, in your mind they'd have long hair and massive tattoos. The blokes alluded to their last appearance there, opening for Oasis a couple years ago. Sounded fantastic and their new stuff sounds equally intriguing.

Weezer was a ton of fun too. There’s something special about geeky guys rocking out with all their hearts, and doing it well. Their set showcased their ever-changing styles: from mellow to hard, pop to indie. The crowd sang loud and lovingly to such radio hits as “Island in the Sun” and “Buddy Holly,” and frat boys emerged from their drunken slumber for “Beverly Hills.”

One act I sampled for the first time was The Bravery. The music was solid rock, and the lead vocalist sounded uncannily like the Cure’s Robert Smith. It was a fantastic sound and I will keep an eye on those guys. Then, Blink-182 proved to me, in less than a minute, why I just don’t like them. Grossly off-key vocals, however, seemed to excite some folks there. But off I roamed to the west stage.

The National played the west stage with a set that was emotive and well-done. They're from Brooklyn but sound as though they could have easily come straight from any British club. There’s a touch of Joy Division in their sound, accented by a couple of horns. Excellent and creative stuff.

The highlight, as I just knew it would be, was the Glasgow quartet Franz Ferdinand. They played a 70-minute set of danceable goodies from their three albums, including a healthy sampling from their first album. They’re tight, blending dance and rock. Alt-indie at its finest. “Take Me Out” naturally got the biggest response, though the crowd seemed transfixed by the rest of the set, which undoubtedly generated a few thousand new fans. Was thrilled to hear "Darts of Pleasure" which they skipped when I saw them back in May at New York's Roseland Ballroom.

The catch to the “Free Fest” was charitable giving. Donations were encouraged toward a group that works to combat youth homelessness. Folks left with their ears ringing from good music, and a satisfied feeling that their presence helped the larger community.