Misconstrued Sounds: Concert Reviews

Pixies - Nashville - Ryman Auditorium

The Ryman Auditorium is one of the most spectacular places to see any band perform. A former church that later became the home of the Grand Old Opry, the environment and acoustics are phenomenal.

The Thrills opened the night with a less than thrilling performance. The only reason I can figure they are opening for the pixies, is the Pixies figured it would make them look that much better... and it did. The thrills sound like guys from California trying to pretend a southern accent. But inreality they are Irish, and have the energy of most peoples grandparents. The music was ok, and even though I had listened to there album several times the past few weeks, there show did really nothing for me.

On the otherhand the pixies put on a wonderful show! The sound was great... their antics were great. Seeing Kim and Frank get along well, even joking was a nice thing to see! Maybe the pixies will last! Every guitar note, every bass line, every drum kick, every note from Franks mouth was heard just as it should be. From start to finish, the show was a nearly nonstop assault of classics (they are all classics) from each album (28 songs in all). Frank was amazing, how in the world does someone get screams like that out of their body? And then do it night after night? Kim sang Gigantic alone and actually forgot some lines, but she just laughed it off and included a longer base line for all to enjoy.

Perhaps what help this show become truly phenominal was the audience. Nearly everyone knew nearly every song and there is unbound enthusiasm for each song. The applause for each song neatly segued into the applause for the next song as the audience recognized it (usually 2-3 notes in). The audience became part of the performance for Hey. Everytime the crowd sang along the added to the song rather than distracting from the band. In fact the encore roar was so loud that I thought I was going to go deaf and not be able to hear the encore. I was happy the band just stayed on stage before the encore. Not playing with everyone by walking off stage.

Final words... If you ever get to see the pixies DO! They still have amazing talent. My only complaint, I needed room to dance and jump around, this setting didnt allow that. I need some pushing... some jumping... some crowd energy ... beyond there vocals.

Watch a clip of Dead.

Watch a clip of Debaser.

Full setlist:

1. Is She Weird
2. Cactus
3. Mr. Grieves
4. Bone Machine
5. Number 13 Baby
6. Something Against You
7. Crackity Jones
8. Isla de Encanta
9. U-Mass
10. Caribou
11. Subbacultcha
12. Dead
13. Ed is Dead
14. Planet of Sound
15. Velouria
16. Hey
17. Gouge Away
18. Tame
19. Wave of Mutilation
20. Debaser
21. Head On
22. Monkey Gone to Heaven
23. Broken Face
24. Gigantic
Encore (Although they technically never even got off stage)
25. Here Comes Your Man
26. Holiday Song
27. Vamos
28. Where is My Mind?

Polyphonic Spree - Nashville - Uptown Mix

DISTANCE WORTH TRAVELING TO SEE THIS BAND (5 Hours)

There are few things which you will ever experience in life like a Polyphonic Spree Concert. The exception being if you are in a strange cult like happy religion... or if you were a flower child of the 60's with a lot of musically talented friends.

Polyphonic Spree headed to Nashville for a performance on a Rainy Wednesday this August. Fortunately the rain just limited the crowd, and letup right at the beginning of the concert. Maybe this was because it was known that they would end with the Classic, Here Comes the Sun... where the band sings in unison looking heavenward, as if the sun is there only hope (even though it is the middle of the night).

But there is no other live band that has a performance of the polyphonic spree. Over 25 people singing in unison, playing ever instrument you can imagine, (even the violin)creating true psychedelic excitement! There is no way you can stand at one of these concerts and not be happy (and also have the desire to just close your eyes and start spinning, dancing, jumping in unexplained jubilation... jubilation just to be alive!)

Playing songs mainly from Together We're Heavy, the band also hit other popular favorites such as Soldier Girl. The total performance lasted well over one and a half hours.

The most memorable moment of it all though, is not the jumping praising antics of the lead singer, the memorable flashy bright colored robes, not even the united swaying of the chorus section (9 people sang together in the chorus). No one thing will last in your mind. The harp player... that is....The head banging performance of the harp player. I have never ever ever seen someone rock out so hard on such a large stringed instrument. Kudos to you rocking harp man!

And beware... just when you think everyone is happy and joyous. Well, a close look to the drum section hiding in the back finds a strong beating anger that creates just enough tension to keep things going in the band.

If you get a chance to see these people definitely check them, you'll love the evening, and actually wish you were one of them. Because, well they just look like they are having fun!

Pedro the Lion - Birmingham, AL - Workplay Theater

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.