Misconstrued Sounds: Concert Reviews

Well we had the opportunity to take in a Mason Jennings show. And a nice relaxing show it was. Mason Jennings is a modern Bob Dylan of sort, focusing on his song writing in a lyrical fashion... then creating music with a folk sound - tempo. However its not folk in the standard fashion as much of the music even goes to the point of having a punk sound sometimes.

The show was a solid performance with clear strait forward presentation. Mason covered songs from his 3 last albums, with focus on his latest. He is truly a hard working artist, having been in the business since 14, his love for music more than performance is seen at the show. Not flamboyant or explosive, the concert is about the music first foremost and really... only.

Not my usual first pick... but after experiencing it, I truly recommend the experience. Check out a couple of clips from the show:

Video 1:

Video 2: California

We also sat down for an interview with Mason after the show. Since we have it recorded, simply enjoy his answers to the following questions, instead of me misconstruing what he said...

How do you think you have been effected by touring as an artist since the age of 14?

Some say you are a protest singer. Do you consider yourself a Protest Singer?

You have been called the modern day Bob Dylan, would you agree with this statement?

As your fan base grows, do you feel this limits i how creative you can be with your music?

What Genre would you consider your music?

Where does your accent originate? Is it supposed to be Southern?

What does the words Misconstrued Thoughts make you think of?

Mason Jennings a real nice down to earth guy, go see him in concert next time he's in your area. And check out his albums!

Posted by itzjerm at 09:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The Misconstrued Team headed Down To Birmingham to enjoy a Pedro the Lion/Death Cab for Cutie Show. We sat down a bit with Pedro the Lion to learn more about the band.

The concert was supurb. If you aren't familiar with Pedro the Lion they are a mellow indie rock band. Termed emo sometimes, it would be on the calm non tempermental scale of folk emo music.

Those songs played among others included: (Links to video clips have audio trouble (since I dropped the camerea).)

When They Really Get to Know You they will Run
Penetration
New Song from Achilles' Heel
Just Talking about Birmingham/another tour name Paperback
New Song from Achilles' Heel
Foregone Con
Big Trucks
Rapture
Criticism

David Bazan the mastermind of Pedro the Lion, is just a down to earth nice guy, with a thinking head on his shoulders. His concern and sencerity is seen in his music and shows.
Bazan is the only central part to a group that has been made up of over 30 people over the last 4 albums of release. However, based on this it is obvious who is the cohesive force of the group.

We will have a review of their new Album Achiles Heel soon enough, but you can visit the site and listen a bit to there music now!

We were able to get some time with David Bazan (Lead Singer/Band Leader), as well as Tim Walsh (Drums).
Listen to his responses on:

Some have Called Pedro a Christian Band, what Is Bazan's Response to this?
What is the song Of Minor Prophets and Their Prostitute Wives About?
The Latest Band Members Explain How they were added to Pedro
Does the Band Hope to make it Big?
What does the Word Misconstrued make Walsh think of?

Continue reading the extended entry to Read the entire interview with him, and watch some video clips of his response to various questions.

Of course there was more to the interview as well here are some other questions and responses of the interview with Bazan.

J- What do you think of the South?

D-I really like the south. Southern accent is so warm and inviting. People are really nice even in big cities. I love that. You think Mark Twain and such, its just great. I mean, I love black folks. They are a comfort to see. Make me happy. And there’s just not as many up north.

J-What do you think of the latest review of the album on allmuic?
D-Their review of the latest album…that was flattering. I don’t even know if its as good as they say it is.

Ben Kweller walkes in
Conversation with Ben

D-How’d it feel man?
B-felt like crap. Nah..its just dark, red lights and all. Hate that man. But I love the star. The star was awesome.

J-you guys do some great music.
D-well, these guys have some talent. Its just about working hard, filling in the gaps.

J-What was your best tour?
D-for me most special tour was with Bed Head. I just loved those guys. Texas Band. Mid 90’s broke up and formed New Year. Well they went on tour and asked me to open for them, and that amazing. I opened solo for them. I’d get to the show and hang out with them. Just asking them “Ya know this song, what made you write that?” and “This lyric here…that’s great!” just great times with them and hanging out. That was a great tour.

T-What is the meaning of the Priest and paramedics song?
D-My uncle, he was a paramedic. And so there was this one guy in the neighborhood who was ya know…drug addict, drunk, and all the time getting in trouble. And one night, I guess he just got way too messed up and ended up getting some 3rd degree burns. Yeah, real bad. And he’s in the ambulance and my uncles there with him. And the guy just would not calm down and seriously was freaking out. Coming in and out of consciousness and going crazy asking “Am I gonna die!? Am I gonna Die!?!?” My uncle he was trained, as all paramedics are, to never tell the person they are gonna die. But this guy was just going nuts. So my uncle looks at him, knowing he was going to die cause he was just so bad off, and my uncle looks him in the eyes and knew he had to level with him. So he tells him straight up “You are gonna die tonight man. In fact, prolly in the next 15 minutes. So you better get yourself straight with God and make sure your ready.” And the dude just calmed down and went into a daze and just… I guess got himself straight with God and such. And then of course he did die that night, about 15 or 20 minutes later he did die. So I just took that story about a man, and made it into a song about a husband and went from there.
T-well its an amazing song. One of my favorites.

Posted by itzjerm at 10:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Friday April 9th, 2004. We head to Atlanta to see Muse. I honestly had nearly forgot of the curse** that has plagued me for years. The curse of the show! What show? Any show I really want to see. See The Footnote.

Muse is one of the most dynamic bands you will ever see. It is amazing to see what 3 people can produce musically. The depth the richness. The sincerity. These guys love what they do, and they like to jump around, headbang. They like to put it all into a show. A great example is how Matthew the lead singer runs from piano to guitar in various songs, mixing up the instruments he is playing. The guys from muse, combine not just rock out ability but actually they incorporate classical genius. They can perform a song differently each time, but not in an annoying fashion.

Yet this depth of appreciation could not be found in Atlanta this April Day. Not for Long At least! Muse only performed 4 songs before the lead singer bashed his face against his guitar in a massive head bang jumping action motion. The 4 songs were most spectacular, if given the chance to see Muse live - Go for it (and hope me and my curse are not there). The clip below shows some of this energy!

Butterflys and Hurricanes watch it from the atlanta show (WMV)

Here is what happened during the "Atlanta" Incident (Real Media)

The "Atlanta" incident has given aftertheshow.info / misconstruedthoughts a lot of publicity. In fact we now regularly chat with folks in the band, and have more opportunities to see them now. The Band, requested the video from me for a future DVD of the tour. Muse has some of the greatest guys in the support realm. So Check out MUSE! If you miss them you have done a bad deed.

(See the original site I posted this on with 100's of comments)

**The Curse

Toad the Wet Sprocket -

(1995) Convinced not to go see them for another trip (although highly looking forward to it... figured I'd go to next tour)
(1997) Recieve flyer in mail 2 days after their Nashville Show A few weeks later they break up
(2003) Reunion Tour, drive on drive to Cincinnati get in 2.5 hour traffic jam, and a snow storm.... but do somehow make the show just in time.

Radiohead-

(2001) Show in Atlanta Sells out to quick/Buy tickets for Washington DC show, after 12 hour drive find out the show is cancelled due to flooding
(2003) Plan to go to festival in New York, 2 days before festival it is cancelled; with effort show is enjoyed barely

And now adding to the list (which this list only exist for bands I’ve waited years to see) Now adding...

Muse -

(2004) Go to see Muse in Atlanta (after waiting 5 years to see the show), 4 songs into the show, the lead singer hits his face on the neck of the guitar... sending him to the emergency room... sending us home early

Posted by itzjerm at 09:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)