Sometimes we see a great show then get caught up doing other things. And, unfortunately, the show slips into the archives unpublished. This is one of those times. We went to Schuba’s back in November, 2009, to see Vandaveer – the folk duo of Mark Charles Heidinger and Rose Guerin. It was one of those shows that hit at just the right time – we were headed into winter and needed a warm sound to get prepared. Vandaveer was wrapping up a long road tour, on their way back to their homes in Washington DC. (Live video below)
We spent some time hanging out with Mark and Rose and they just couldn’t be nicer people. Rose was wearing a black veil over her neon-pink hair, recently purchased for her by her brother while on tour. Also, her frilled shoes which she said, “I can’t stop rocking them.”
Mark was all smiles and excited to meet a fellow Pearl Jam fan.
On stage, their every bit as freindly and simply excited to be doing what they do. For example, during an equipment malfunction, instead of complaining or apologizing, they explored the use of the word “awesome.”
“Where’d you get that hat?” asked Mark.
“Denver,” said Rose. “Denver is awesome. But not Chicago awesome.”
“Everything for you and me right now is pretty awesome,” said Mark. “That was a magnetic fuel song. They sure are great … but I wouldn’t call them awesome.”
Vandaveer is surely not widely known, but that might change real soon. They play The Birchmere in Alexandria, Virginia on Feb. 26, ahead of four-day stint at South by Southwest, in Austin, Texas, March 17-20. It’s really a perfect place for them to showcase their sound – what XM Cafe called “This generation’s Nick Drake” and Rolling Stone categorized as “Jarring new folk.”
Below is a video from the show at Schuba’s in November, “A Mighty Leviathan of Old.”
And read our interview with Mark Heidinger before the show, and hear more Vandaveer on their MySpace page.
Chicago-based quartet Moses Cleveland just released their debut album The Corner of Uncool and Care Avenue, and are preparing for a few Midwest tour dates. They kindly sent us a CD, so we had a listen.
Here’s what I love about Midwest rock: It’s honest. The Corner of Uncool and Care Avenue starts out as an upfront rock album with the track “The Story of Mack.” But soon you hear a different side that shows a band developing an identity. Two songs, in my opinion, make this band unique: “Two-step Timmy’s Traveling Blues (Less is More)” and “Terrorize,” which will be featured in an upcoming game from the makers of Grand Theft Auto. The songs are rock, with distinct undertones of punk for good measure, and they finish as strong as they start.
The title track gives me a bit of an Alice in Chains feel, but is every bit of an original work. And that’s the thing – you get the feeling that Moses Cleveland knows what they like, and they know how to play it. I don’t get the feeling that they are trying to fit in anywhere. I like that.
There’s something else about Moses Cleveland – they have real talent. As you all know, we love live music and by listening to the CD, I can tell they put on a great live show. And you’re in luck, because they have some dates coming up. First, see them in Chicago on January 8 at Elbo Room. The next stop is The Phantasy Niteclub Symposium in Cleveland, Ohio, on January 16.
By the way, they earn bonus points for a listing of some of their influences, including: Dylan, The Black Keys, Wilco, Pearl Jam, The Black Crowes and Jimi Hendrix.
Moses Cleveland is Adam Rowings, Tom Owen, Chris Adamescu and Paul Bork. Head over to Lala, where you can give The Corner of Uncool and Care Avenue a spin. Want to know the origin of the band name? It’s a good story, you can find it here. The debut album is also available to purchase on iTunes.
Want to get your band reviewed?
Hey Sound Citizens … you’re invited to a party! Come join us and two dozen other excellent Chicago media websites at Black Rock Saloon (not to be confused with BlakRoc) tomorrow night – Thursday, Dec. 10. It starts at 7 p.m. and entry is free. Drinks are not, but there will be some delicious specials. Oh and wear an ugly holiday sweater just for kicks. And, in the spirit of the season, bring some cash to donate to the Greater Chicago Food Depository to make sure the less fortunate have a special holiday as well!
Of course, there will be some excellent music to be heard.
Big thanks to WindyCitizen.com for organizing the event, and check out the other sponsors who will be there below, and visit WindyCitizen.com for details and to RSVP.
Windy Citizen – http://windycitizen.com
Centerstage Chicago – http://centerstagechicago.com/
Outside the Loop Radio – http://outsidetheloopradio.com
Chicago Carless – http://www.ChicagoCarless.com
Lake Effect News – http://lakeeffectnews.com
Vavoom Pinups – http://vavoompinups.com
Chicago Foodies – http://www.Chicagofoodies.com
The Urbanophile – http://theurbanophile.com
Backgarage - http://www.backgarage.com
Driftglass – http://driftglass.blogspot.com
Pumping Station One – http://pumpingstationone.org
District 299 – http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/district-299/
What’s a Boy to Do – http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/whats-a-boy-to-do/
Windy City Wine Guy - http://windycitywineguy.com/
Fun Sherpa – http://blog.funsherpa.com
Chicago Bar Project – http://chibarproject.com
Making Chicago Home - http://makingchicagohome.com
Sound Citizen – http://www.soundcitizen.com
Loud Loop Press – http://loudlooppress.com
Chicago Tumbls Too – http://windycity.tumblr.com/
Chicago Dining Examiner – http://www.examiner.com/x-396-Chicago-Dining-Examiner
Chicago Culture and Events Examiner – http://www.examiner.com/x-20561-Chicago-Culture–Events-Examiner
Exploring Chicago Examiner – http://www.examiner.com/x-19075-Exploring-Chicago-Examiner
Chicago Cubs Examiner – http://www.examiner.com/x-1553-Chicago-Cubs-Examiner
Gals Guide – http://galsguide.com/chicago
Buzzflash.com – http://www.Buzzflash.com
Windy City Watch – http://windycitywatch.com
ChiTown Tattler – http://www.chitowntattler.com/?page_id=6
Rodrigo y Gabriela have struck gold where many other musicians have struck out. Combining musical styles – in this case, metal and classical Spanish-style guitar – and performing entire sets and albums without one single lyric. In doing so, they not only have amassed a following, but a fervent one. Such was evident at their sold-out performance last Friday at Chicago’s Riviera Theater.
Here’s a sign that you’re doing it right: A check on craigslist for tickets weeks prior to the concert showed a massive disproportion. There were dozens of postings from people desperately looking for tickets to the show – just one posting actually selling tickets. Did ticket brokers miss the boat? Possibly. More likely, Rod Gab fans anticipated their arrival very early and made sure they scored tickets. And once they had them, they weren’t letting them go. That’s refreshing.
On to the show. We won’t spend a lot of time here talking about the magic of Rodrigo y Gabriela. If you’re not yet familiar, read this post from our review of a Rodrigo y Gabriela concert in Milwaukee. Besides, all you need to do is watch a little video – you won’t need convincing from me.
The highlight of the night (and one of this year’s best concert moments) came as a stunning surprise. Between songs, Rodrigo teased the audience about a special guest, then introduced Rob Trujillo – bass player for Metallica. It turned into perfect synergy (well, almost perfect – you’ll see) between the two styles of music represented by Rod Gab – their mind-blowing classical chops fused with their metal influences and inspiration while they jam Metallica’s “Orion.” It was the icing on an already sinfully outstanding cake. And the fans … let’s just say you can expect to hear them loud and clear as the music grapevine grows. Check out the crowd reaction at the end of the video “Part 2″ and you’ll understand.
Enjoy the video below. It’s excellent and comes courtesy of TP1134. Below that are two more videos shot by Sound Citizen, if you want more Trujillo. Also, check out TP1134’s account for more of the concert from an excellent vantage point. An outstanding job.
Only three dates remain on their U.S. tour schedule: Oct. 20 in Austin, TX, Oct. 22 in Philadelphia, Oct. 23 in Boston and Oct. 24 in Baltimore. If they’re coming through your area, you’d be an irresponsible Sound Citizen not to go. No excuses. Overseas? Check out more tour dates below the videos.
| 26-Oct-09 | Teatro Metropólitan | México, Mexico |
| 11-Nov-09 | La Carriere | Nantes, France |
| 12-Nov-09 | Casino de Paris – SOLD OUT | Paris, France |
| 13-Nov-09 | Aeronef | Lille, France |
| 15-Nov-09 | Vicar Street | Dublin, Ireland |
| 16-Nov-09 | Olympia Theatre – Sold Out | Dublin, Ireland |
| 18-Nov-09 | Les Docks – SOLD OUT | Lausanne, Switzerland |
| 20-Nov-09 | Ancienne Belgique – SOLD OUT | Brussels, Belgium |
| 21-Nov-09 | Watt | Rotterdam, Holland |
| 23-Nov-09 | HMV Hammersmith Apollo | London, United Kingdom |
| 24-Nov-09 | O2 Academy, Birmingham | Birmingham, United Kingdom |
| 26-Nov-09 | O2 Academy Glasgow | Glasgow, United Kingdom |
| 28-Nov-09 | Manchester Apollo | Manchester, United Kingdom |
| 29-Nov-09 | Colston Hall | Bristol, United Kingdom |
| 3-Dec-09 | Alcatraz | Milan, Italy |
| 30-Dec-09 | Falls Festival Marion Bay | Marion Bay, Australia |
| 31-Dec-09 | Falls Festival Lorne, VIC | Lorne, Australia |
| 3-Jan-10 | Enmore Theatre | Sydney, Australia |
| 5-Jan-10 | Palais Theatre | St. Kilda, Australia |
| 6-Jan-10 | Sunset Sounds Festival | Brisbane, Australia |
| 8-Jan-10 | Southbound Festival | Busselton, Australia |
| 11-Jan-10 | Aotea Center | Auckland, New Zealand |
| 14-Jan-10 | ZEPP | Tokyo, Japan |
| 15-Jan-10 | CLUB Diamond Hall | Nagoya, Japan |
| 16-Jan-10 | IMP HALL | Osaka, Japan |
| 18-Jan-10 | TOKYO | Tokyo, Japan |
| 10-Apr-10 | Olympia Theatre | Paris, France |
| 11-Apr-10 | Olympia Theatre | Paris, France |
Welcome home, Eddie. Chicago loves Pearl Jam. There are few tours that come through town with the level of anticipation as the Seattle band and Chicago’s hometown hero. Whether it be Lollapalooza, Eddie Vedder on a solo tour or even just Eddie singing the seventh inning stretch at a Cubs game, Chicago buzzes when the Pearl Jam bus rolls into town. And that’s no exaggeration – out of about 22,000 seats sold at the United Center for each show this week, the Pearl Jam fan club accounted for about half of those seats. But fans weren’t just sitting there – they were ready.
Just as Eddie Vedder has the capacity to send chills up and down one’s spine, you imagine he and the band feel the same way when 22,000 voices sing every word to every song. Never is that more evident than “Better Man,” where Vedder handed over singing duties to the fans for the first half of the song. He relished in the moment then offered a sort of apology, explaining, “it’s fun for me.” The truth is, Vedder didn’t have to sing a word and you still would have heard every lyric, even the cover songs. But then you wouldn’t experience the power of one of the greatest rock bands of all time. At times, it’s like getting punched square in the nose – you’re dazed and awestruck and your senses are twisted and heightened all at once. You feel alive (pun very much intended) and you get the experience of hearing huge arena rock music that feels it was meant just for your ears. (‘Alive’ was epic, by the way.)
Remember the video for “Evenflow,” when Eddie was climbing all over the stage and all over the theater, into the crowds? Maybe they’re older and a little more tempered, but the energy is still there. So is the attitude. Eddie described how guitarist Mike McCready got really angry when he didn’t get to play “Evenflow,” that he wanted to kill somebody. Eddie pointed to the crowd and noted that McCready could start “with this guy.” Turns out, the guy was wearing a shirt that said No Evenflow. “Sir, we take requests, not orders,” said Vedder. “You should know better than that.”
I made it to the Monday performance, August 24. And it was awesome. The setlist was killer too, you can find it here. Some personal favorites during the set were “Corduroy,” “Not for You,” “Do the Evolution,” “Yellow Ledbetter,” “Black,” and of course “Alive” and “Better Man.” But honestly, there wasn’t a single song that didn’t leave me wanting another.
Below is a video we shot for “Black.” It was one of the best performances of that song I’ve ever heard. And below that is “Nothingman.” If you want to see more, start searching YouTube – videos are popping up every hour. Passionate fans, I tell you.
See Eddie Vedder write a quick song after the seventh inning stretch at Wrigley Field.
Have some favorites from the show? Please share with a comment after the post!
Lastly, remaining Pearl Jam tour dates are listed below the video.
BLACK
NOTHINGMAN (via YouTube and edvedhead)
| Aug 28 2009 | 8:00P | Outside Lands Festival | San Francisco, California |
| Sep 21 2009 | 8:00P | Key Arena | Seattle, Washington |
| Sep 22 2009 | 8:00P | Key Arena | Seattle, Washington |
| Sep 25 2009 | 8:00P | GM Place | Vancouver, British Columbia |
| Sep 26 2009 | 8:00P | Clark County Ampitheater | Portland, Oregon |
| Sep 28 2009 | 8:00P | E Center | Salt Lake City, Utah |
| Sep 30 2009 | 8:00P | Gibson Ampitheater | Universal City, California |
| Oct 1 2009 | 8:00P | Gibson Ampitheater | Universal City, California |
| Oct 4 2009 | 8:00P | Austin City Limits | Austin, Texas |
| Oct 6 2009 | 8:00P | Gibson Ampitheater | Universal City, California |
| Oct 7 2009 | 8:00P | Gibson Ampitheater | Universal City, California |
| Oct 9 2009 | 8:00P | Viejas Arena | San Diego, California |
| Oct 27 2009 | 8:00P | Spectrum | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Oct 28 2009 | 8:00P | Spectrum | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Oct 30 2009 | 8:00P | Spectrum | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Oct 31 2009 | 8:00P | Spectrum | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
On a late Saturday night/early Sunday morning for our final Lollapalooza aftershow we hit up Schubas to see Dan Auerbach, front man for the Black Keys, touring on his solo album, Keep it Hid. Schubas is one of those places that get’s top-flight talent in an intimate setting and personally I’m a huge fan.
Opening up was Cage the Elephant. I saw them at Summerfest and besides their hit “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked,” it was largely unimpressive. So, we sat that one out and took a load off on a barstool and sipped some delicious Corona instead. Auerbach came on around midnight.
I don’t have a lot to say about this show, except that if you ever get a chance to see Auerbach – with the Black Keys or solo – take it. One factor that slightly disappointed was the constant din of the crowd. It seems to be a common problem with Lolla aftershows – maybe it’s the all-day drinking of those who attended the festival during the day.
Below is video of “Whispered Words.” You’ll want to watch it to the end. Current tour dates after the video.
You might also like: Dan Auerbach at Metro, Black Keys in Cleveland, Ultimate Lollapalooza Highlight Reel, Band of Horses at House of Blues.
| Nov 5 2009 | 8:00P | Newport Music Hall | Columbus, Ohio |
| Nov 6 2009 | 8:00P | The Majestic Theatre | Detroit, Michigan |
| Nov 7 2009 | 8:00P | Phoenix Concert Theatre | Toronto |
| Nov 8 2009 | 8:00P | Le National | Montreal |
| Nov 9 2009 | 8:00P | The Paradise | Boston |
| Nov 11 2009 | 8:00P | Webster Hall | New York, New York |
| Nov 12 2009 | 8:00P | Theatre of the Living Arts | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Nov 13 2009 | 8:00P | Sonar | Baltimore, Maryland |
| Nov 14 2009 | 8:00P | Cat’s Cradle | Chapel Hill, North Carolina |
| Nov 16 2009 | 8:00P | The Orange Peel | Asheville, North Carolina |
| Nov 17 2009 | 8:00P | Variety Playhouse | Atlanta, Georgia |
| Nov 18 2009 | 8:00P | House of Blues | New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Nov 20 2009 | 8:00P | Minglewood Hall | Memphis, Tennessee |
| Nov 21 2009 | 8:00P | Cannery Ballroom | Nashville, Tennessee |
| Dec 3 2009 | 8:00P | Turner Hall | Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
| Dec 4 2009 | 8:00P | First Avenue | Minneapolis, Minnesota |
| Dec 5 2009 | 8:00P | The Vic Theatre | Chicago, Illinois |
| Dec 6 2009 | 8:00P | The Bluebird | Bloomington, Indiana |
| Dec 8 2009 | 8:00P | Southgate House | Newport, Kentucky |
| Dec 9 2009 | 8:00P | House of Blues | Cleveland, Ohio |
