Showdate: October 27th, 2010
Ticket Cost: ~$20
Lanegan can be a tough ride. Definitely not a show for those who need constant positive feedback to affirm themselves. Never really crystallized for me until I read this is interview with Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan in The Guardian.
“I’m about creating a body of work, and moving on to the next thing. It isn’t important to me, how people respond to my work.”
Neatly summarizes the vibe I’ve always got from being in the crowd. Fine with me, totally get it.
Wednesday night! Chris is a late and welcomed addition to the party. I’m resolved to not turn this into a silly ass mid-week bender. That’s me managing expectations. Like your boss. “Next year looks tough.” Subtitle: if you think you’re getting a raise you’re nuts.
Crowd is. Old. Like. Me. And OMG! Older, too.
Crowd looking a little hip for the age group. Respect. Chris and I decide it is better to try and miss the mark then become a hopeless case in sweatpants and shit. It is a weird version of burn out/fade away thing really.
I know. You’ve had enough. How’d you get this far?
Isobel is your left. Mark is center-right. Lights drop. Singers are backed by a full band.
Set material is predictably drawn from the two LP’s and the single EP Campbell and Lanegan have collaborated on. A timeless female classic siren-ish voice matched by the gritty whisky-soaked masculine vocal. Sweet and sour. Blah blah. Pick whatever grammatical device or Chinese food metaphor you want to convey opposites.
I’m here for fun tonight so I’m not tracking setlist. The crowd is definitely into it. I”m not into shouting nonsense to performers, but alot of people tonight are enthusiastically giving it a go. Shouting stuff like “Fuck, yes! Let’s do it” at the start of a favorite song. It is kinda cool. Like introducing your future square spouse to your family and having your Uncle getting kicked out of the restaurant for smoking weed in the bathroom. But, it is genuine and enthusiastic. So, really cool in the end.
In that linked interview, Lanegan talks about inhabiting the songs. And tonight’s peformance feels that way. Songs like “Back Burner” where Isobel provides the foundation and Lanegan comes in and spikes the punch.
I’m cutting it short. I wasn’t into the show that much. I kept thinking of bailing but never did. Every song was good and I would just hang in for one more. ‘Til the end. I’m not going to hate on the evening. I had fun and saw a good show. Just not my thing. Big deal. Not like my vote matters. But, I’ll be back.
The fourth and last song of the encore was “Wedding Dress” off the 2004 album, Bubblegum. There’s always at least one song in every show with Lanegan that reminds me why I’m coming back without thinking. Everyone seemed closer to the edge of the stage for the song with the bass and guitar hooks pounding at a volume that seemed noticeably higher. Love. Killer hook blaring. Hey, the show used to be at a very reasonable tempo and volume. The song isn’t fast and driving, but the feeling is way different. The same transition I get at the other recent shows. “Methamphetamine Blues” during Gutter Twins, “Hit The City” at Soulsavers, and “Resurrection Song” with Greg Dulli.
Mark sings the song with his eyes closed, gently grooving his head in between verses. Amazing. That’s my shit. No doubt. Want more. Good jones to have. Low on the self-destruct scale.
My vote doesn’t count. I get it. But, I’m personally hoping for another Lanegan solo project. Regardless. Lanegan’s catalog is such a fucking snack. As a fan, I’m not going to get all selfish. Whatever’s next is next. It’s all good.
