Golden Coins
Ha Ha Tonka
Friday, February 12, 2010
German Art Students; February 12, 2010; High Noon Saloon
The German Art Students were my first favorite local band. They were opening for the Gigolo Aunts at the Club Tavern in what had to be one of their first gigs. They wore black and pretended they were German. Sure, it was a little hokey, but they easily won me over with their high energy and catchy songs. Amazingly that was twelve years ago. Since then I’ve seen them play at practically every venue in town, from the long gone O’Cayz Corral to street fests to the Rathskellar to the High Noon. Even as their lives changed with marriage and children, the line-up stayed the same and they could always be counted on for a few gigs a year. Until now. The bad news is that bassist Andy Larson is leaving the band; the good news is that GAS will continue on. As a three piece of course, since no one could ever replace him.
Tonight was their one last hurrah with the original line-up, and it seemed no one wanted to miss it. An impressive crowd, along with possibly the most children I’ve seen in the bar outside of the Old Tin Can String Band’s Sunday afternoon shows, filled the High Noon for two hours of all the hits. Granted many of the children there probably belonged to band members or to Andy’s extended family many of who had come from out of town. The early happy hour show was in keeping with their theory that their audience had grown older along with them.
It had been awhile since I had seen them last, but with only three full length releases in their discography I wasn’t too worried about not knowing any of the songs. In fact, I’m hard-pressed to think of any they didn’t do, going all the way back to “News Nugget,” which was my favorite from that very first show. I remember it like it was yesterday. The hilariously clever “Civil War Re-enactor” and the high-art mocking “Left of Center” were there, as well as period piece “Eighteenth Century Love Song.” It remains to be seen who will take over Andy’s vocal as the Colonel, though my bet is that drummer Randy Ballwahn will be doing more singing than just his lead vocals on “Dick Clark.”
There haven’t been any new songs since the release of their 7 inch featuring “Pompeii,” but it wouldn’t surprise me if their subject matter moved from dating, as detailed in “Shitty Directions” and “Nightmare Date Experience,” to the joys of parenthood. I knew the evening was close to over when they played their dance sensation “The Bumblebee” followed by the absolutely hysterical true story “Steve Vai Boyfriend.” Guitarist/vocalist Anneleis Howell had been on fire all night, obviously excited to be back on stage after the birth of her second child, but I’m not sure I’ve ever seen her kick higher or sing with more fervor than on that pair. But they weren’t quite done. Andy handed his bass over to Anneleis, commenting that we should get used to how that looks, and he took lead vocals on one last cover song.
We’ll miss you Andy. I give him six months.
The German Art Students were my first favorite local band. They were opening for the Gigolo Aunts at the Club Tavern in what had to be one of their first gigs. They wore black and pretended they were German. Sure, it was a little hokey, but they easily won me over with their high energy and catchy songs. Amazingly that was twelve years ago. Since then I’ve seen them play at practically every venue in town, from the long gone O’Cayz Corral to street fests to the Rathskellar to the High Noon. Even as their lives changed with marriage and children, the line-up stayed the same and they could always be counted on for a few gigs a year. Until now. The bad news is that bassist Andy Larson is leaving the band; the good news is that GAS will continue on. As a three piece of course, since no one could ever replace him.
Tonight was their one last hurrah with the original line-up, and it seemed no one wanted to miss it. An impressive crowd, along with possibly the most children I’ve seen in the bar outside of the Old Tin Can String Band’s Sunday afternoon shows, filled the High Noon for two hours of all the hits. Granted many of the children there probably belonged to band members or to Andy’s extended family many of who had come from out of town. The early happy hour show was in keeping with their theory that their audience had grown older along with them.
It had been awhile since I had seen them last, but with only three full length releases in their discography I wasn’t too worried about not knowing any of the songs. In fact, I’m hard-pressed to think of any they didn’t do, going all the way back to “News Nugget,” which was my favorite from that very first show. I remember it like it was yesterday. The hilariously clever “Civil War Re-enactor” and the high-art mocking “Left of Center” were there, as well as period piece “Eighteenth Century Love Song.” It remains to be seen who will take over Andy’s vocal as the Colonel, though my bet is that drummer Randy Ballwahn will be doing more singing than just his lead vocals on “Dick Clark.”
There haven’t been any new songs since the release of their 7 inch featuring “Pompeii,” but it wouldn’t surprise me if their subject matter moved from dating, as detailed in “Shitty Directions” and “Nightmare Date Experience,” to the joys of parenthood. I knew the evening was close to over when they played their dance sensation “The Bumblebee” followed by the absolutely hysterical true story “Steve Vai Boyfriend.” Guitarist/vocalist Anneleis Howell had been on fire all night, obviously excited to be back on stage after the birth of her second child, but I’m not sure I’ve ever seen her kick higher or sing with more fervor than on that pair. But they weren’t quite done. Andy handed his bass over to Anneleis, commenting that we should get used to how that looks, and he took lead vocals on one last cover song.
We’ll miss you Andy. I give him six months.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Ha Ha Tonka/Chaperone/Beautiful Collision; February 11, 2010; House Café, DeKalb
Ha Ha Tonka was supposed to come through Madison opening for Cross Canadian Ragweed on December 10. Unfortunately that was the date of the single biggest snowstorm I’ve seen since moving back to Wisconsin fifteen years ago. The University closed and the buses weren’t running, and I got my first snow day since I’d started at the UW. In light of the predicted weather, the bands had the good sense to postpone their stop at the Majestic Theater. I knew they had to, but I was still disappointed that I wasn’t going to see them. After all, I hadn’t seen them since the end of October, and that seemed like years ago. They’ve rescheduled that show for April, but in the meantime they were playing a few shows temptingly close to Madison.
DeKalb is an easy enough drive, less than two hours from Madison and without the traffic that makes Chicago travel so unpredictable. I’d even been to the House Café before and found it eclectically charming. I wasn’t sure why they had put together a four band bill on a weeknight but figured they knew what they were doing. I was less sure of that after the bulk of the crowd left after the opening band, an engaging group of kids with a Wilco bent, finished their set. If they hadn’t already left, it’s possible that Beautiful Collision would have chased them out. Not that there was really anything wrong with them musically- they were all solid enough and the dude had a good voice- it was just that they were completely unoriginal. While I did find myself fascinated by the drummer’s gigantic ‘fro, I daydreamed through most of their set before being rescued by Brett and ushered downstairs to the green room.
There I met part of the third band on the bill. Chaperone’s vocalist Mary Spadaro and bass player Miles Doornbos who were also bemoaning a scheduling order that ensured that only a small portion of the original crowd would still be around by the time they played. The Chicago band is ridiculously high energy, incorporating extra percussion to ensure everyone was bopping their heads and shaking their butts during their set. While their vocals weren’t always spot on, I couldn’t help but get caught up in their music. I’d seen the dude with awesome mustache earlier, and was pleased to find out he was the lead singer/guitarist Shaun Paul. Mary and second vocalist Shaylah Kloska augmented their performance with a variety of percussion, maracas and tambourines were always close by. Miles had his own drum that he pounded with enthusiasm, but that didn’t prepare me for his turn on lead vocals, where he turned into a dynamo, cranking the energy up to 11. He was already my favorite before he gave me one of his chocolate, caramel, and sea salt cookies. Absolutely delicious, I recommend pairing it with a pale ale.
A small but enthusiastic crowd gathered in front of the stage as Ha Ha Tonka came on. They may have been disappointed by how much the crowd had dwindled, but they certainly didn’t let on. Their set hadn’t changed much from the last time I’d seen them, but that didn’t really matter. “Close Every Valve to Your Bleeding Heart” is still the highlight. A slow builder that has Brett switching from mandolin to electric guitar as the song gains momentum, only to slow again at the end. “I ask you why, you reply the death of hope hit you hard too,” Brian sings, and it kills me every time. I couldn’t skip back to it like I do nearly every time I play the CD, but that was the only disappointment.
If I had to vote which band member would be most likely to take off his shirt it would be bass player Luke Long. Surprisingly when it happened, it wasn’t on purpose. In an attempt to remove the outer of two shirts both came off, and with the song already underway he shrugged and put his bass back on. After the song he separated his T-shirt and put it back on. Sorry, I did not have my camera out. Novel Sounds of the Nouveau South has been out just under a year, but they are already at work on the next record. If all the new stuff sounds like the track they played tonight, they’re gonna be huge in no time (I hope they remember me). While South was somewhat of an acquired taste, starting good and getting better every time I listened to it, this new track was immediate. Super catchy, with Brian, Brett and Luke all singing, I felt like I knew it by the second chorus.
It was a comfort leaving tonight knowing that it wouldn’t be long before I saw them again. The show the next night was in Milwaukee, which is even closer to Madison than DeKalb, of course I’m going to be there.
Beautiful Collision
Chaperone
Ha Ha Tonka
Ha Ha Tonka was supposed to come through Madison opening for Cross Canadian Ragweed on December 10. Unfortunately that was the date of the single biggest snowstorm I’ve seen since moving back to Wisconsin fifteen years ago. The University closed and the buses weren’t running, and I got my first snow day since I’d started at the UW. In light of the predicted weather, the bands had the good sense to postpone their stop at the Majestic Theater. I knew they had to, but I was still disappointed that I wasn’t going to see them. After all, I hadn’t seen them since the end of October, and that seemed like years ago. They’ve rescheduled that show for April, but in the meantime they were playing a few shows temptingly close to Madison.
DeKalb is an easy enough drive, less than two hours from Madison and without the traffic that makes Chicago travel so unpredictable. I’d even been to the House Café before and found it eclectically charming. I wasn’t sure why they had put together a four band bill on a weeknight but figured they knew what they were doing. I was less sure of that after the bulk of the crowd left after the opening band, an engaging group of kids with a Wilco bent, finished their set. If they hadn’t already left, it’s possible that Beautiful Collision would have chased them out. Not that there was really anything wrong with them musically- they were all solid enough and the dude had a good voice- it was just that they were completely unoriginal. While I did find myself fascinated by the drummer’s gigantic ‘fro, I daydreamed through most of their set before being rescued by Brett and ushered downstairs to the green room.
There I met part of the third band on the bill. Chaperone’s vocalist Mary Spadaro and bass player Miles Doornbos who were also bemoaning a scheduling order that ensured that only a small portion of the original crowd would still be around by the time they played. The Chicago band is ridiculously high energy, incorporating extra percussion to ensure everyone was bopping their heads and shaking their butts during their set. While their vocals weren’t always spot on, I couldn’t help but get caught up in their music. I’d seen the dude with awesome mustache earlier, and was pleased to find out he was the lead singer/guitarist Shaun Paul. Mary and second vocalist Shaylah Kloska augmented their performance with a variety of percussion, maracas and tambourines were always close by. Miles had his own drum that he pounded with enthusiasm, but that didn’t prepare me for his turn on lead vocals, where he turned into a dynamo, cranking the energy up to 11. He was already my favorite before he gave me one of his chocolate, caramel, and sea salt cookies. Absolutely delicious, I recommend pairing it with a pale ale.
A small but enthusiastic crowd gathered in front of the stage as Ha Ha Tonka came on. They may have been disappointed by how much the crowd had dwindled, but they certainly didn’t let on. Their set hadn’t changed much from the last time I’d seen them, but that didn’t really matter. “Close Every Valve to Your Bleeding Heart” is still the highlight. A slow builder that has Brett switching from mandolin to electric guitar as the song gains momentum, only to slow again at the end. “I ask you why, you reply the death of hope hit you hard too,” Brian sings, and it kills me every time. I couldn’t skip back to it like I do nearly every time I play the CD, but that was the only disappointment.
If I had to vote which band member would be most likely to take off his shirt it would be bass player Luke Long. Surprisingly when it happened, it wasn’t on purpose. In an attempt to remove the outer of two shirts both came off, and with the song already underway he shrugged and put his bass back on. After the song he separated his T-shirt and put it back on. Sorry, I did not have my camera out. Novel Sounds of the Nouveau South has been out just under a year, but they are already at work on the next record. If all the new stuff sounds like the track they played tonight, they’re gonna be huge in no time (I hope they remember me). While South was somewhat of an acquired taste, starting good and getting better every time I listened to it, this new track was immediate. Super catchy, with Brian, Brett and Luke all singing, I felt like I knew it by the second chorus.
It was a comfort leaving tonight knowing that it wouldn’t be long before I saw them again. The show the next night was in Milwaukee, which is even closer to Madison than DeKalb, of course I’m going to be there.
Beautiful Collision
Chaperone
Ha Ha Tonka
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Shakey; February 10, 2010; Overture after Work, Overture Center Lobby
Other than a WORT benefit at the Crystal Corner, every Shakey show in their four or so year history has taken place at the High Noon Saloon. Most of these have been happy hour shows where the crowd takes advantage of two for one drink specials while listening to the band recreate another classic Neil Young album. So there were a number of things that felt strange about them playing the Overture after Work series. The first was that it was really light, and it took me awhile to figure out how to take pictures somewhere other than a dark bar. The second was this was not a usual Shakey crowd, I only recognized a handful of people in the good size crowd of well-dressed folks who probably had actually come after work.
Other than a WORT benefit at the Crystal Corner, every Shakey show in their four or so year history has taken place at the High Noon Saloon. Most of these have been happy hour shows where the crowd takes advantage of two for one drink specials while listening to the band recreate another classic Neil Young album. So there were a number of things that felt strange about them playing the Overture after Work series. The first was that it was really light, and it took me awhile to figure out how to take pictures somewhere other than a dark bar. The second was this was not a usual Shakey crowd, I only recognized a handful of people in the good size crowd of well-dressed folks who probably had actually come after work.
What was the same was the band. Even tonight as they picked and chose songs rather than focusing on one record, they passed over the hits in favor of their favorite songs. Perhaps the best known from their two sets were “Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere” in the first and “Powderfinger” which ended the second, and has been a part of every Shakey show to date. AWithout the constraints imposed by choosing only one record they were able to highlight many of the aspects of his career, going all the way back to his days in Buffalo Springfield. As always, Matt Appleby stands out as the most Neil of all of them, and his solo turn with just an acoustic guitar was unnerving in its resemblance.
Most interesting is when Maggie Weisner takes the lead vocals, an inspired choice seeing as Young’s voice often has a feminine quality to it. Her “Dreaming Man” was nicely complimented by backing vocals from all the boys in the band. Apparently when they were completing the stage plot for the show there was a “do you need a piano” box which they promptly checked. They made excellent use of it, though Matt Joyce did look slightly out of place seated behind the baby grand in his Western shirt. I wasn’t sure if leader Pete Kaesburg would pull out his worn copy of Neil Young’s biography (titled Shakey of course) as he does at every show to read a few paragraphs, since the subject matter is almost always drugs. Instead he used it to introduce a song which defends Young’s band Crazy Horse to the record label who felt they couldn’t play.
While the Overture’s featured special of $3 Miller Lite taps certainly wasn’t as good a deal as the High Noon, it wasn’t as bad as the overpriced drinks they serve for their other events. In fact I was enjoying the evening so much, even their cover of “Cortez the Killer,” by far my least favorite Young song due to his seemingly endless renditions of it live, couldn’t ruin it.
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