Triangle Man Hates Particle Man

They Might Be Giants, w/ Oppenheimer
9:30 Club, Washington DC, November 23

Recommended beverage to go with this show:

Leinenkugel Sunset Wheat (upstairs bar)

They Might Be Giants continues to master the art of simultaneously being goofy and a solid rock band. The crowd bopped around, smiled and laughed through their long set, the perfect release from post-Thanksgiving doldrums. Singer John Linnell's banter between songs occasionally frustrated a few fans just wanting them to get on with the music, but the band took the heckling in good spirit.

Touring to promote their new album, The Else, the long set included many beloved songs from their 25-year career, including "Boss of Me," "Birdhouse in Your Soul," and, of course, "Particle Man." The Triceratops Horn Section made an appearance on several songs, really rounding out their sound. TMBG, who hail from Brooklyn, New York (home of the world's best pizza and where this blogger grew up--but I digress) put on an energetic, rockin' show and one never expects anything less from these guys.

Oppenheimer, an electronica duo from Belfast, performed a fantastic opening set. Here's an amusing conversation between me and a friend during their first song, given my obstructed view in the balcony.

me: "wow, that chick sounds great."
friend: "what chick?"
me: "the one singing. Great voice."
friend: "that's not a girl. That's a bald guy."
me: "That's a dude?.....No! Holy sh..."

Then, upon further reflection during their too-brief set, it occurred to me they sound like a cross between the Lightning Seeds and Anything Box. Very retro. Check 'em out.

On the Local Scene: Scythian

Scythian,
@ Fado's Irish Pub, November 15

Five years ago, these four guys were performing on the streets of Old Town, Alexandria just for kicks and the few bucks folks might drop in a hat. But after two of them casually got up in a bar and played a song, during which the crowd went wild, their full-time music career began. Now they play inside pubs and venues with a sound system, still whipping the crowd into a frenzy, but now getting a paycheck.

Scythian plays Celtic music with a twist. Their inspirations are many and varied, with the common thread being raw energy. When listening to this band, you'll hear traces of East European music, traces of Klezmer and Gypsy music, some rock, some jazz, and occasionally even a bit of reggae. You'll also clap...a lot.

They travel all over the country playing small clubs, the smallest of which are in their home town. Why? Loyal lads that they are, they continue to play just about every Thursday night at Fado's Pub in Chinatown and occasional gigs at the tiny Flanagan's in Bethesda, another club that took a chance on them in their early days. They also have been active on the festival circuit.

Scythian are all sons of immigrants, hence the title of their debut album released this summer, Immigrant Road Show. All of them are classically trained. In fact, the drummer, who is half Jordanian, recently completed a master's of jazz from the University of Maryland (go Terps!) Two of them are brothers of Ukrainian descent and the fourth is of Austrian heritage. Their family roots figure prominently into their sound.

Scythian are: Alex and Danylo Fedoryko (Alex on vocals, fiddle/bass guitar/harmonica/mandolin and Danylo on vocals, guitar, and accordion); Josef Crosby on fiddle and bass; and Michael Ounallah on percussion.

Look for my profile of this band in the January 2008 issue of On Tap.

Nappy Brown: Dirty Old Blues Master

The Nappy Brown Review at the State Theatre, Falls Church, Virginia
November 2

Recommended beverage to go with this show:
Starr Hill Jomo Lager (slightly fruity,
flavorful microbrew from Charlottesville)

There were several excellent concert choices that night, though I went for the blues. The Nappy Brown Review featured an all-star blues band: Guitarists Bob Margolin and Sean Costello, Drummer Big Joe Maher, Keyboardist Ann Rabsen (of Saffire: Uppity Blues Women fame), and Mookie Brill on bass fiddle. All took turns singing during the first part of both sets before Brown took the stage.

Seeing Napolean Brown Culp, "Nappy Brown," live is quite the treat. His smooth vocals come from his gospel-infused blues style. Well-behaved during the first set, he let the antics come out in the second. At the end, the 78-year-old Nappy threw himself down on the stage mid-song and began gyrating and moaning. Sometimes da blues just do strange things to ya.

(above, right): Nappy Brown (center) with Bob Margolin on guitar and Ann Rabson on keys

Excellent show. Nappy is touring in support of his brand new album Long Time Coming on Blind Pig Records, which has received critical acclaim.

photos courtesy of Jim Carty

Ryan Adams Jams…and Jams at DAR Constitution Hall

Ryan Adams, DAR Constitution Hall, October 30

“Which one is Ryan Adams?” asked my friend at this show. It actually was a valid question. The stage was quite dark, while the lighting occasionally cast shadows on the wall, and we were sitting clear on the opposite side of the arena from the stage. But for much of the first set, his voice did not stand out much from the band. Perhaps he humbly wanted to his band the Cardinals to shine and he did not want to be the center of attention, plausible in that he was always a bit off center, both on stage and in his mood.

Let me not underrate Ryan Adams. Adams’s transition from country to indie alt-rock cannot be understated. He is a superb musician and songwriter. In fact, some years ago, Elton John had called him one of the finest songwriters of his generation. But something was cold and distant at this show, my first time seeing him.

Adams extended some songs into long jams, some of which worked quite nicely, but at times it just seemed he was dragging. He also left a couple of his most well-known songs off the setlist, including his hit “New York, New York.” I thought maybe he was saving it for his New York show the next night at Hammerstein, but it wasn’t on their setlist either. How could he not play that song in New York?!

Sadly, I would learn later, his manager had died that night (of natural causes). It’s unclear whether Adams found this out before this show, which certainly would’ve taken its toll, but there was a lack of energy at this show and there was a definite disconnect with his audience.

I still think Ryan Adams is a gifted musician but for the foreseeable future I’m happy just to listen to him on disc.

Setlist:
Mockingbird
Beautiful Sorta
Cold Roses
Off Broadway
The Rescue Blues
Why Do They Leave
Everybody Knows
Please Do Not Let Me Go
The Sun Also Sets
Halloweenhead
Nightbirds
When the Stars Go Blue
Peaceful Valley
Blue Hotel
Goodnight Rose
Bartering Lines
Shakedown on 9th Street
Goodnight, Hollywood Blvd.

Encore
Easy Plateau