Admin
Midnight Hauler
Posts: 2,434
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Post by Admin on Jan 16, 2009 3:30:55 GMT -5
Just got back to Kim's and I'm exhausted. Camie's posted the setlist, but tomorrow I'll be back with photos and stories.
Again, lots of good friends and a nice HOB staff that let us wait in line early without having to wait outside. Probably saved us frostbite. I hope the setlist got to all of those that wanted to see it. Absolutely no letup in the set save for Cheyenne and cutters. Confetti brought to you by Shenelle and co. Crowd and band seemed to love it.
So yeah, sit tight and I'll post a thorough report tomorrow.
Wish you guys were there (and here).
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Post by dustdudes on Jan 16, 2009 4:36:57 GMT -5
Dude. What a show. Wow.
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Admin
Midnight Hauler
Posts: 2,434
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Post by Admin on Jan 16, 2009 10:00:36 GMT -5
Fuck it. Five hours of sleep is enough. Chicago yesterday was incredibly cold. If any skin was exposed outdoors yesterday, it made you pay. I was walking many city blocks with my hat down over my face. Anyways, after a pre-show meal at Einstein Bros (it was close!) we headed over to HOB to see if they were going to form a line inside or make us wait outside. The venue manager was sympathetic and put us in front right away. Hey, it was warm. So we waited. Craig (ct) showed up a couple minutes later, as well as Sarah (essbee) to say hi for a minute (and dropped off my Unified Scene mittens!) before running errands. Evan and his buddy Jay came not too long after that. We'd meet up with Amy (selbyandgriggs), Luke (mr. selby) and Billy (broadway) later that evening. Anyways, on to the gig. Got our places up front as usual, hassle free, despite my major freakout a couple weeks ago. This was probably the most relaxed I've ever been for a THS show. Okay, okay. Last night, to put it succinctly, was an incredible show. There's no way else to put it. What was devised as a one-off gig for Cubs Charities (suck it, Cubs haters) was actually one of the best pure nights of music since the RNRMW tour. Come to think of it, I guess that's not really qualified, as the last live show I saw was the RNRMW tour. HMM. Whatever. Who would have though Tom Morello was an engaging frontman? The Nightwatchman material is some serious fucking business. He's got a lot of catchy stuff, interesting cover choices (ie: Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap by AC/DC with lyrics talking about the Bush Administration - and a folkfied cover of "Guerilla Radio" by RATM). He had the crowd going, and ran a bit over, which led Dusty and the THS crew to assemble shit rather quickly. Rousing introduction by Lin Bramer of XRT (sounded pretty hammered) and nervous cough, nervous cough, now we're off. The fucking setlist. There simply wasn't any letup to breathe until the end. The Stay Posi - Constructive - Hot Soft 1-2-3 punch was devastating. Lots of geeking out. I'm reposting it here. (Thanks for the fix, blackbeard). Stay Positive Constructive Hot Soft Multitude Cattle Stevie Navy Chips Ahoy Party Pit Status Sequestered Swish You Can Make.. Magazines Cutters Cheyenne Hoodrat Massive Slapped Encore First Night Chicago Stations Resurrection (with confetti) Very little talking on the band's part. Everyone was at the top of their game. It almost seemed looser than a tour show. CF looked excited to be playing again. Koob was top notch, Galen was mugging for the crowd, Bobby was still scaring the shit out of me, and Franz was wearing a white tux. Dusty didn't think it was cold enough...I didn't realize he kinda wasn't joking. The crowd was totally into it. Lots of jumping and sing alongs, more crowd pushing and pressure I would have expected from a 21+ charity show. I spotted Len Kasper (the Cubs announcer) in one of the boxes with a guy that looks like Cubs chairman Crane Kenney. Looked like they were enjoying theb and. A lot more suits than I expected. The only Cub I saw that night was Ryan Dempster who introduced Tom Morello. The confetti, as usual, was awesome. It was bought for the intention of a KP celebration, but after we saw it wasn't on the list, the crew released it right before Koob's solo in Resurrection...mixture of confetti shooters and bags of white wedding confetti. In turn, it looked very white and glittery. Huge crowd response to it, a couple of "WTF's", but all and all it was a good time (and less messy as usual). Totally random moment of the evening? CF had not one, but TWO bras thrown at him, one Starter sweatband, and a couple of beer cans. Dusty was prompt with cleanup. Humorous. Post game at O'Callahans (I think, things are a little fuzzy here, a lot going on, and I was excitable). Nice to catch up with friends. Photos here: gallery.me.com/brendanhilliard#100392They aren't very good, I apologize. I didn't decide to take any until about halfway into the set. Unified Group Photo: Some dude I can't remember the name of, ct, Jay, Shenelle, Joe (in front of Shenelle), Evan, Me, kim, dustdudes, Rhinovirus (w/ setlist) Jessica, and Allison in front. All in all, a massive night indeed.
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Post by 212margarita on Jan 16, 2009 10:03:18 GMT -5
That setlist is pretty incredible! Glad to hear it was a good time!
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Post by lilhan on Jan 16, 2009 10:21:22 GMT -5
incredible. ohhh so jealous. thanks for the rundown brendan!
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Post by hoodrat on Jan 16, 2009 10:36:17 GMT -5
awesome, brendan.
excellent suit, franz.
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Post by missalabamanobody on Jan 16, 2009 10:45:21 GMT -5
Good lord. Sounds so great. I'm really happy for everyone who was there. Special thanks to essbee for calling me during Slapped Actress and again during Stuck Between Stations.
April is so far away....
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Post by 212margarita on Jan 16, 2009 11:07:42 GMT -5
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Post by missalabamanobody on Jan 16, 2009 11:17:56 GMT -5
Shit, those mittens are awesome.
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Post by Jersey on Jan 16, 2009 11:22:28 GMT -5
Brendan- aweseome, awesome recap, brother.
Almost feels like we were there. Well, minus the hangover and post-show euphoria that follows a THS show.
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Post by Rhinovirus on Jan 16, 2009 12:50:10 GMT -5
It takes a special band to make you walk a mile in -20 degree weather.
But it's always worth it when that band can rock both pairs of socks clean off. Massive night.
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Post by dustdudes on Jan 16, 2009 12:53:12 GMT -5
Mittens? Pictures?
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Post by Rich Tarbell on Jan 16, 2009 14:00:13 GMT -5
Brendan- aweseome, awesome recap, brother. Almost feels like we were there. Well, minus the hangover and post-show euphoria that follows a THS show. and minus the booger-freezing cold and frostbite if you are going to do a fundraiser for a baseball team, why not do one for the florida marlins? a) they need the money more than the cubs b) it will be 76 degrees in fort lauderdale in sunday do i need to go further? or just book it?
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Post by cubbies4e on Jan 16, 2009 15:14:43 GMT -5
Brendan- aweseome, awesome recap, brother. Almost feels like we were there. Well, minus the hangover and post-show euphoria that follows a THS show. and minus the booger-freezing cold and frostbite if you are going to do a fundraiser for a baseball team, why not do one for the florida marlins? a) they need the money more than the cubs b) it will be 76 degrees in fort lauderdale in sunday do i need to go further? or just book it? It wasn't a fundraiser for the Chicago Cubs lol. It's a fundraiser on behalf of the Chicago Cubs. It goes to their charity group Cub Cares, I think it goes to kids in Chicago.
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Post by cubbies4e on Jan 16, 2009 15:15:31 GMT -5
seconded. But yeah It's going to be so amazing. I still can't beleive they're coming to my college. Yeah!!!
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ct
True Scene Leader
Posts: 624
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Post by ct on Jan 16, 2009 15:24:21 GMT -5
it was an amazing night.....
i got to hang out with Brendan and Kim for a couple of hours before the doors opened and we were inside. got to meet Essbee even though it was brief. eventually Evan showed up with his friend Jay, with the worlds most orange coat ever.
to second Brendan's comments about Tom Morello starting things off right. he turned his acoustic Night Watchman songs into songs that would have fit in perfectly with any RATM. watching him play from that close was great. i think most people were shocked about how good his set was.
the start of THS setlist.....14 songs before a break with Cutters and Cheyenne. there was very little talking last night between songs and really no break between songs. it was non-stop for the first hour. it was well worth the trip to Chicago even in the horrible weather.
there was a lot of pushing at the show. there were a couple of guys that were very obnoxious Evan, Jay and me. they were really making things miserable for Dan from Iowa.and Mrs. Dan(didn't get her name). Jay let them in front of him and eventually they went away. it was really something you don't expect to see at a THS show.
at least this time after the show, we stayed inside before we starting trying to make plans on where to go. i don't think we would have survived wandering around in those temperatures. it was great meeting the Selby's, everyone else and talking to Mr. Broadway after the show.
i'm really not sure what else happened. i got up this morning too early. think i got 4 hours sleep. i got to the airport and my flight had been cancelled. i think someone was trying to tell me to go to the brunch.....
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Post by shenelle on Jan 16, 2009 16:19:35 GMT -5
Just checking in. Joe and got more wasted. Passed out. Woke up to some sweet ass room service. On our walk of shame out of the hotel we were surprised when the elevators opened up to the Ths crew and members standing in front of us. Made it to to the union station only to see our train cancelled. Three hours later, I am finally sitting on a train destine fir Milwaukee. Great night. Met awesome new people. Still have confetti in my bra......oh snap, joe just pulled another piece out of my hair.
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essbee
Has Status
#416
Posts: 2,526
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Post by essbee on Jan 16, 2009 17:21:10 GMT -5
Heading home now. Feels sad to leave so soon.
It's been a great 24 hours.
This post used to be far longer, but apparently the boards and BlackBerries do not get along.
I didn't have much else to say other than the fact that it was great to see S&G, Mr. Selby and Brendan again. Lovely to meet Kim, Broadway and CT, too.
Sadly, I was obviously delusional on Thursday night, because I could have sworn they opened with Constructive Summer and then went into Stay Positive. I will be doing some remedial listening.
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Post by Rich Tarbell on Jan 16, 2009 18:19:48 GMT -5
It wasn't a fundraiser for the Chicago Cubs lol. It's a fundraiser on behalf of the Chicago Cubs. It goes to their charity group Cub Cares, I think it goes to kids in Chicago. yeah, i know. i was just too lazy to look up the exact charity. i understand the cubs print their own money. same show, summer ... i am there. take in a game too.
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Post by kim on Jan 16, 2009 21:14:39 GMT -5
I hopped in the shower this morning to wash the stink off and noticed two dark purple bruises on my rib cage at the height the guard rail was at. Totally worth it. Completely excellent show all around. Couldn't ask for more. (Well, except maybe Killer Parties, but finally getting to see Resurrection made my life complete, more or less.)
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Post by selbyandgriggs on Jan 17, 2009 9:50:18 GMT -5
Great show, questionable venue, GREAT GREAT afterparty with brunch and SHARKS!
And there weren't any fights. (that me or my group was involved in)
I was sure there were going to be one or two.
(Considering the company and the crowd.)
Well, there was some posturing.
And: Did you all know there is a Superfan that is not on the board? I almost recruited the guy but he was just too spent after all of that emoting to talk to him about it...His gesturing and dancing really took the cake. BUT, we were all shocked to learn that he was not a fan of The Swish. And yes, it was a cocksucking summer, and we fucked in your church, and if you get tired of his baseball bats.....
Kim is My Reef Leader. Brendan prefers to wear his hat over his face, rather than just on his head.
Anaconda! Phantasmical Poision Arrow Frogs! Sharks! Glowing Sea Horses! Kelsey Mertz!
Next time I am going to Chicago just for the afterparty. Love you guys!
I'm still her for one more day ... Chicago Dogs, Frontera Grill, Mr. Selby..... and Brendan is still trying to get us to see Franz tonight.....
And, it was nice to meet some of the rest of you!
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Post by blackbeard on Jan 17, 2009 10:18:11 GMT -5
Wonderful show (minus "One for the Cutters" and "Cheyenne Sunrise"). Had a fantastic time. Just one thing, though... Holy fuck, did I hate Tom Morello. I mean, he wasn't a night-ruiner by any stretch, but his set was, at the very, very, very best, interminable. Ugh. Miserable. ...And I wasn't the only one, so this isn't just a contrarian streak! I've been to many shows at the front, in the middle, and at the rear, and you get the best sense of what's actually going on when you're in the middle. I walked around, a bit, but spend most of my time in the middle...where people were groaning in pain and looking at the handful of folks who were eagerly nodding along/clapping/fist pumping/"Fuck Yeah!!!!!"-ing/conversely booing and shouting slurs, whenever he said something with a liberal tinge, like they were out for blood. I am not passing any value judgments, nor do I want to do so. I mean, I'm liberal as fuzz, and I hated the whole thing (and a hell of a lot more than the people who booed every mention of Obama, too), so there you go! I'm just saying that most of the people in the 2/3 of the venue that I was scoping out and spending time in weren't having too much visible fun, and that I, for one, was trying to talk myself out of suicide. Having said that, I think it bears noting that while I am 100% confident in the validity of my observations, I'm also aware that my hatred of the set probably skewed my perceptions, a bit. I'm sticking to my guns, but it's always possible that I was only seeing/hearing/suffering through what I wanted to. The Guthrie jam at the end seemed finally to get people to remember that they were supposed to be enthusiastic, but even that energy was surprisingly short-lived and stifled, after the 18-minute introduction to/audience address in the middle of the song. In the context of the rest of the show and the careening talking-to-the-crowd bits, it all seemed tacky, at best, and laughable, in practice, to me. Yikes. ...But then The Hold Steady came on, and I was happy as a clam. Wonderful. If only that wasted guy hadn't puked up at least two gallons of hot pink vomit, on the Blue Line, on the way home, the night would've from then on been a charm...
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Post by broadway on Jan 17, 2009 11:17:10 GMT -5
Great time.
Tom Morrello drove me mad. One of the most unabashedly awful sets I have seen in years. It was so bad I was awestruck.
Superfan was BY FAR the real gem there. I could have watched him all night. That ole Blackberry toting SOB was a serious distraction.
Motherfuck the goddamn House of Blues.
Aquarium was great fun. Thank you all for being willing to indulge my Shark desires.
Got worried Brendan would perish halfway through the aquarium. He made it though.
Got worried Mr. Selby would reverse-drink Pepsi through his nose over the mention of my old and grizzled cat.
Chicago has more fur coats and 3 series BMWs than most other places.
Flight got cancelled. Almost had a complete meltdown concerning my rage. Luckily I am not a rageaholic like Brendan and I kept it together. Boarding new flight now so FUCK YOU United Airlines!
Good times all around with Amy and Luke and Sarah and Brendan and Kim and Superfan.
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Post by kim on Jan 17, 2009 13:35:10 GMT -5
Kim is My Reef Leader. I'm still her for one more day ... Chicago Dogs, Frontera Grill, Mr. Selby..... and Brendan is still trying to get us to see Franz tonight..... Haha...I'm the true reef leader. Because if there's anything THS fans care about, it's saving the coral reefs. And please do come tonight. It would make me and Brendan terribly happy. As for the show and the post-show and the morning after... I actually really liked Tom Morello. It was a fun set and I always enjoy being instructed to sing. (Seriously, the guy was starting to get angry about the crowd not singing.) The Hold Steady was phenomenal, possibly the best show I've ever seen. I don't know what else to say that hasn't been said. Again, super thanks to shenelle for the confetti. I unwrapped mine a little too early and put it in my bra to try and keep it safe, but I was afraid the whole time that it would go off and there would be a huge confetti explosion in my face. It looked phenomenal. Somewhere during the show, my inhaler fell out of my pocket and broke. Not really a big deal. Until the next show. I'm still in shock and awe a little bit that they closed with Resurrection. I was borderline-crying the whole song since I sort of figured I would never hear them play it. Thanks for that one, guys. Post show was a nice casual hangout with good friends and mediocre chicken fingers. Brunch the next day was deeelicious despite walking to PMU with wet hair. The aquarium ended up being the best use of a sick day ever. I don't think I've ever laughed so hard in a public place as learning about Kelsey Mertz, world's most fucked up and kickass neighbor. All around, a killer first half to rock-n-roll weekend, which is being followed up tonight and tomorrow with back-to-back Franz. I know all of you can't make it, but I certainly hope that if you can make it to either of them, you at least try. Thanks for a great night and day, everyone!
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Post by selbyandgriggs on Jan 17, 2009 15:09:41 GMT -5
Oh, and Emily, you will be *shocked* to hear that in addition to not getting in a fight, I also did no instigating. None at all.... none that I remember anyway.
I was really on best behavior the entire time. Kind of surprising. Mr Selby is chuckling at the fact I really was on good behavior the whole time.
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