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WMNF Listener's Choice Show
w/Roppongi's Ace/Giddy-Up, Helicopter!/The Ditchflowers/Vodkanauts, Sat., Aug. 25, Skipper's Smokehouse.
Joe Walsh
w/JD and the Straight Shot, Sun., Aug. 26, Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg.
Stormy weather proved no match for brash, whip-smart blues on Saturday night. Heavy rain smacked the wooden planks in front of the stage, sending the audience scampering for cover at Skipper's Smokehouse. Moments later, Roppongi's Ace took the stage knowing the score: Play your ass off or get drowned out by the thunder, wind and rain, plus the commotion of people seeking shelter from the elements.
Roppongi singer/guitarist Alex Spoto came out of the gate strong, leading his scrappy power trio through a rollicking, punk-informed blues number that climaxed with searing slide-guitar licks and roadhouse harmonica courtesy of bassist Jesse Norton, the older brother of explosive drummer Matt Norton. The crowd reacted with a loud round of applause that, along with the storm, nearly obscured Spoto's announcement: "This is kind of bittersweet," mumbled the tall, lanky front man. "This is our last show."
Turns out Spoto and Matt Norton are only 18 years old and will soon be off to college: Spoto to Brown, Norton to Florida State. The Roppongi show Saturday proved to be a tour de force farewell performance that brought two of the band members full circle. Spoto and the younger Norton were inspired to form a band after seeing The Black Keys play Skipper's a few years ago. Like the Keys' Dan Auerbach, Spoto keeps the blues relevant by infusing it with a punk ethos and penning lyrics that stick to universal themes such as heartbreak and libido -- two things, especially the latter, that most 18-year-old guys have a handle on.
"It's so hard to love someone when they don't love you back," howled Spoto toward the end of the set. He sounded like a young man displaying genuine emotion instead of a blues geek aping his heroes.
"It was a great way to end things," Spoto said backstage.
Giddy-Up, Helicopter!'s performance didn't go over so well. For starters, their brand of disaffected indie rock isn't what most Skippers regulars are geared for. Generally speaking, the venue draws a crowd that appreciates grooves, funk, hot licks -- and singers who look the audience in the eye. The Giddy-Up members remained planted on stage with their heads down, save for the spastic shenanigans of drummer/keyboardist Ryann Slauson, who during one tune left the drum kit to alternate between keyboards and a single snare drum, which she beat as if trying to puncture a hole through it.
For the Giddy-Up's finale, guitarist Nicole Schleif, with ciggie dangling from her lips, cajoled a few pre-K girls who were dancing -- as kids often do at Skipper's -- to join the band on stage. The children reluctantly agreed. At best, it was gimmicky. At worst, it was inappropriate. Giddy-Up lead singer/guitarist/lyricist Jay Conner writes and performs serious, imagery-intensive songs that don't deserve to be undermined by kids frolicking around.
Poetry 'n Lotion kicked things off proper with their jammy jazz/bluegrass/rock instrumentals. The cover of Black Sabbath's "War Pigs" killed, and their interpretation of the Knight Rider theme definitely won 'em some new fans as well. Perhaps most impressive, though, was when the band offered its only vocal number, "Oh Well." Sung with authority by drummer John Nowicky, the song was a poignant ballad complemented nicely by mandolinist Jim Page, guitarist Matt E. Lee and bassist Tom Murray. (For more on Poetry 'n Lotion see p. 63.)
Guitar great and reformed wildman Joe Walsh delivered ax exploits and classic rock staples -- and concertgoers went home happy. Backed by an eight-person band, including two drummers and three backup singers, Walsh trotted out highlights from the three main phases of his career. We got James Gang gems like "Walk Away" and "Funk #49," the solo epics "Life's Been Good" and "Ordinary Average Guy," as well as an Eagles finale. Following a robust "Rocky Mountain Way," one of Walsh's male backup singers delivered an animated "Life in the Fast Lane" featuring the guitar god wailing away, a big grin on his face.
COMMENTS
RE: Goodbye Blowout
Posted by person on 09.14.07 @ 01:18 PM
wade did you write this because yr feelings were still hurt about that article 6 months ago? poor you. i hope they fired you. and gave you zero severance. i hardly ever wish ill of people but i think you are quite deserving of it. XOXOXO
RE: Goodbye Blowout
Posted by ryann's snare drum again! on 09.01.07 @ 01:53 AM
DUDE LOLZ WHY R U SO SPASTIC IT HURTS ME WHEN YOU USE ME FOR COMIC RELIEF INSTEAD OF MUSIC GO LIKE DANCE WITH THE CHILDREN!!!!!!! ;) ;) LOLZ LA FLETCHITA
RE: Goodbye Blowout
Posted by ryann's snare drum on 09.01.07 @ 01:50 AM
RYANN STOP SPASTICALLY POUNDING ME N ALL IT HURTZ WHY DON'T YOU FOCUS ON THE KIDZ?!?!? LOL ;) WINKY FACE HI WADE!