Yearly Archives: 2003

Mick & Stevie are doing a webchat tomorrow night for the Vic & Gill programme on BBC Radio One. You can ask questions now by visiting this link

I bet you were wondering how the Glasgow Frank Black concert was. Luckily for you, donewaiting.com was there. Tell us, Steve:

Seriously, they play three Pixies songs, and each time, the audience erupts, and I wonder how it must feel to be out on the road in 2003, with people only coming to see you for a glimpse of a band from a dozen years ago. And, as the Catholics energetically romp through Cactus, I wonder how they?re feeling about the ever-increasing clamour for a Pixies reunion. And I feel sad, and I feel bitter, and I feel guilty. And I?ve still got mixed feelings, amplified by this gig, about a Pixies reunion. But I know that I?d be there. I still haven?t listened to the new album. (full review)

Yes, I know we’re becoming a Ted Leo fansite. But when the guy puts out the best album of the year (so far), we do what we must do. Read our review of Ted’s Los Angeles show here and/or check out a review of Ted’s recent Cleveland concert there.

My good friend Steve Slaybaugh spent eight days on the road with Two Cow Garage, writing about the whole experience. It’s now live and ready for you to read.

While MTV might have you believe otherwise, life on the road for most rock ?n? roll bands is not an endless series of parties and orgies moving from one city to another on gigantic, plush tour buses. No, for most acts the tour circuit is a hard road, with uncertainty at every turn: Will anyone come to the show? Will the van break down? Will there be enough money for gas to get to the next town? Will there be any left over to eat? (full story)

It really is a great read.

Dudes, today is another big release date in the lovely world of Indie Rock Land. Come, let us go on a journey…

Released today:

Damien Rice. Who cares? I don’t know.

At this point I?m pretty sure everyone knows exactly how much I love Ted Leo. Rob and I have travelled far and wide to see him and the Pharmacists, from Cleveland, to Akron, to Coney Island, N.Y., to New York City. We even extended our New York/New Jersey vacation by a day to watch him play three songs.

So I?m sure it comes as no surprise that Rob and I once again packed our bags and drove to Cleveland to watch a solo show at the Beachland Ballroom and Tavern last Thursday.

We pulled double duty at Beachland again by watching The Raveonettes on Wednesday evening in the Ballroom, and then spending the evening in Cleveland. On Thursday, we spent the day traipsing about the city, visiting the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, and watching ?American Splendor? at the Cedar-Lee Theatre.

Finally, around 8 p.m., we headed for the Tavern.

We had to sit in the car in the parking lot for a good twenty minutes, because the doors didn?t open until 8:30. Luckily, there was a travelling bookmobile in front of the venue, and Rob and I explored it until the incense starting to make my head spin. I did, however, manage to snag a copy of ?My New Filing Technique is Unstoppable? for $3.

We walked into the Tavern with my ?Hearts of Oak? vinyl in Rob?s bookbag and quickly found Ed (of Cobra Verde fame), who works at the Beachland. We settled into barstools and, as I turned my head, realized Ted Leo was sitting not five stools down, flipping through a copy of the Cleveland ?Scene.?

We talked with Ed for a while, and the other Beachland employees stationed behind the bar. Finally I rooted through the bookbag and located the vinyl, which I timidly carried over to Ted.

I asked if he would sign my album, to which he agreed. I handed over my Sharpie.

He then looked up at me and said, ?I notice you?re wearing a red flower in your hair.?

Here?s a little backstory. One of Ted?s songs contains the lyrics ?If you want to meet me/wear a red flower in your hair……in black clothing I?ll be there.? So, for the past four shows, I?ve worn a little red flower in my hair, hoping he would notice it. And he finally did.

I was beaming like an idiot while he scribbled on my record. I wished him a happy late birthday, and informed him that we share a birthday (September 11th).

We talked about that particular birthday, as well as the show he and the Pharmacists played in NYC during the blackout.

I let him get back to the newspaper and headed back to my seat, where I finally dared to look at my record cover.

?Thanks Kiesha!! blah blah blah…in black clothing I?ll be there…
-TL
(And happy b-day!)?

Well, you can?t get much better than that.

And the show! It was incredible. Despite the fact that four or five people in the audience didn?t know it was a solo show (and voiced their dissapointment), it was incredible. It was fun, and loud, and intimate. Ted chatted up the crowd between almost every song, and had the place laughing along with him.

He played new songs, and old songs, and songs from albums I don?t have. He did two covers (one was ?Dancing in the Dark?, which he played during the aforementioned blackout), and a song from his old Washington D.C. band Chisel. He even broke out tunes from his forthcoming solo EP, including a ditty called ?Loyal to my Sorrowful Country,? which has indie hit written all over it. It was incredible. He even did two encores, and he wasn?t
even the headliner.

Rob and I decided to split after Ted?s set, opting to drive home at midnight rather than 2 a.m. On the way back, we hit a monsoon known as Hurrican Isabel, and ended up not making it back to German Village until 4 a.m.

It was totally worth it though. And my only hope is that someday Ted Leo (with or without Pharmacists) will find his way to Columbus to entertain us all.

We here in Columbus love The Evil Queens, and luckily for you, New York City, they’re visiting this weekend.

Siberia Friday, the 10th with Slow Wire and More
Freddy’s Back Room on Saturday the 11th with Grooveski from Poland

Rachael Yamagata is from Chicago. Rachael Yamagata is cute as a button. Rachael Yamagata has a really big voice. Rachael Yamagata will probabaly be a star. Jump on the bandwagon now.

Read my review of her debut EP right here.

Now watch Duffy beat me for writing about Rachael instead of gushing over the truly awesome Chicago stop of The Done Waiting Field Studies Tour.

While I was gone, Han Q Duong wrote a review of Beulah’s Los Angeles concert inside the LA corner of donewaiting.com.

AND! David Cobb, commander of donewaiting.com Texas, interviewed The Brian Jonestown Massacre.

There is more, but there is much to dig through. Stay tuned.