The first time I heard The Hold Steady, they were opening for labelmates Les Savy Fav in Brooklyn shortly before their first album, Almost Killed Me was released. I was totally blown away by their energy, humor and theatrics. The first time I saw The Constantines play at a tiny venue on the Lower East Side, I noticed Craig Finn of The Hold Steady standing next to me in the crowd.
So, while excited, I wasn’t all that surprised when I found out the two bands were touring together this year. I actually was sort of let down by both of their new albums, The Constantines for missing some of the dramatic catchiness of Shine A Light; The Hold Steady for treading a little too far down the classic rock road. But I knew both bands put on good shows so I checked them out at the Knitting Factory nonetheless.
The Constantines have definitely upped their live show from the last time I saw them. They had more coordinated theatrics and each member of the band exuded energy like they were on their last day of a desperate crash diet before thier best friend’s wedding. Lead singer, Bry Webb, pulls off an excellent cross between Tom Waits and David Byrne. On the other hand, while I enjoyed his climbing up the speakers and ‘reach for the sky‘ bass playing, Dallas Wehrle was rocking an ill-advised mustache upstairs with a critically ill-advised jean vestjacket downstairs, that coincidentally opened mid-show to expose a terminally ill-advised pot belly that vibrated like an overused speaker throughout the show.
The Hold steady were fun as well, utilizing riffs that would not be unfamiliar to Steve Miller Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd or Foghat. Craig looked like he really had a good time throughout the show, singing and smiling while snarling complaints about accepted social norms. There were so many agressive Minnesotans there that it felt more sceney than a Ship concert. Go figure.
: The Constantines – Love In Fear :
: The Constantines – On To You :
: The Hold Steady – Your Little Hoodrat Friend :
[...] I saw The Hold Steady last October, and since they were not initially on the bill, was not expecting another pass at them. They put on a good show, but since they added the Gallagher II look-alike keyboardist, their classic rock-feel has felt a bit too Van Halen “Right Now” for me. “Killer Parties,” however, almost killed me. [...]