The Hold Steady -- Concert Review

So I had gone a year without seeing my favourite live band of recent years, The Hold Steady.

People say, "who?" And I say, "Hold Steady."

People say, "why?" And I say, "Hold Steady."

And then I say, "Unironic joy. That's why."

These guys impress because not only do they bring it every night, but they unabashedly love playing. There is no posing (ok, maybe a little by the bassist when he starts getting cute with the keyboardist) and the insane gesticulations carried out by lead singer Craig Finn are real and engaging. Finding something authentically joyful in popular culture is not exactly easy these days and so for that reason, I latched onto them and even though their last album took an exceedingly long time to grow on me, I'm still hooked.

Tickets for the two Toronto shows at Lee's Palace this past week-end sold out quickly and I only had time to grab a couple for the first night. Now, while I used to preach the Hold Steady gospel and hope for them to make it big, I'm a little torn by the fact that they have become VERY big with frat boy types who seem to REALLY REALLY get into them. Less of a communion (how their concerts are often described), Saturday night was more a raucous episode of binge drinking with the Hold Steady playing the part of the alcohol. Duma and I were down in front and it had been a while since I'd been in a mosh-pit like atmosphere but what can I say, I just wasn't digging all of the sweaty boors... But that aside, the show was great. The setlist included a nice mix of old chestnuts, hidden gems, new tracks out and about for the first time and warhorses. Check it out:

Positive Jam
Magazines
Barfruit Blues
Hurricane J
Sequestered
Multitude
Stevie Nix
Hot Soft Light
Heaven Is Whenever
Chips Ahoy!
Yeah Sapphire
Massive Nights
Party Pit
Slight Discomfort
Southtown
Hoodrat
Goin' On A Hike
Slapped Actress

ENCORE:

Certain Songs
Constructive
Stations
Killer Parties

"Multitude of Casualties" and "Stevie Nix" were a great treat -- although you could tell that not everyone in the crowd was a long-time fan. Then, the trio of "Yeah Sapphire," "Massive Nights," and "Party Pit" really cranked things up before Constructive Summer and Stuck Between Stations brought the house down. There wasn't any "First Night" (which has particular resonance for me but wouldn't have fit with Saturday's vibe, anyway) nor "How a Resurrection Really Feels" at the end (although they finished with that one on Sunday). But, hey, I'm not going back-packing in Africa again for a while (oh, except for Kilimanjaro for my 40th next year) so I'm sure that I'll get another chance to see them again soon. This is a band that is not to be missed live.

hold steady.

(crank up the volume, the levels are low on this link...)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xm4hqZuKr_g&feature=related

Toronto Book Launch

Had the Toronto launch of Jazz Age Barcelona this past Wednesday night. It was quite simply one of the best evenings of my life. To be surrounded by so many great friends all at once was an absolute privilege.

My friend Marta, who is visiting from Girona, spent the afternoon making tortilla de patata and I even helped peel potatoes (for the first time! note: this is noteworthy because I don't EAT potatoes). The Press did a fabulous job of putting the evening together. The publicist Andrea-Jo was fantastic and arranged some good food and for a couple of jazz musicians to play during the evening. Ben Mcnally's Books, for those who haven't been, is a brilliant space and was the perfect spot to host the event.

My colleague Joe gave me a very warm and generous introduction and then I gave my speech, which Marta recorded on her camera (see below...). It was such a wonderful feeling to look out and see everyone there enjoying the cava and food but of course, it was tough in the sense that it was impossible to spend very much time with any one person/group in particular.

So all in all, a fabulous evening... and the added bonus is that it really motivates you to have another one! With any luck, I shouldn't have to wait tooooo long as The Hotel: Space Over Time (also with U of Toronto P), should hopefully be out in a year and a half...

IGTC Endorses: Journal For Plague Lovers by the Manic Street Preachers

OK, so this album has been out for a couple of months in the UK but is as-of-yet unreleased here in Canada, which meant I had to pick up the import over at Soundscapes. I have to thank Derek for getting me back into this band. He called a couple of weeks ago with the news that they are touring and suggested that we go see them when they hit T.O. in October.

Their debut classic, Generation Terrorists, is one of those discs that has ALWAYS been in the car... I don't even know if it has ever been in the house... Now, "Motorcycle Emptiness" conjures up memories of driving to the moulin everyday back when I lived in Pincourt, of countless kilometres on the 401, trips to Kingston, Ottawa and just plain driving around town.

So getting back into their catalogue has been a trip even if I do prefer the earlier stuff. Imagine my surprise, then, when I heard the first couple of songs from Journal and realised that the lyrics were most definitely written by Ritchey (the band's lyricist who disappeared in 1995 and was recently presumed dead). It's very weird to hear that vibe coming literally from beyond the dead. And with lyrics like "Oh mummy what's a sex pistol?" you have to smile.