Over the last month or two, I’ve heard a few public radio stories on the Hold Steady and their new record. Critics seem to think it’s better than “Boys and Girls in America”, but I’m not sure I agree. WPXN called them “increasingly iconic“, and I think I can get behind that.
Matthew, Zach and I went to see them play at Proud Larry’s in Oxford, Miss. last weekend. It was my second time seeing them, and all of the best-bar-band-ever hype is definitely deserved. Though, I was standing in the few square feet between lead guitarist Tad Kubler and his amp, so I may have missed out on some of the intricacies of the new material. Also, I spent a good bit of the show either trying to get an asshole boy to stop groping the poor girl next to me or crammed between a keyboard case and an amp with Zach, trying not to get crushed by the crowd.
Anyway, despite NPR’s great use of music on their shows and stories on a wide range of artists from different styles, the Morning Edition interview with the band seemed a little flat to me. It sounds like the band can predict every question because they’ve been asked them so many times before. And unlike in the interview with Mike Pesca, no one even bothers to refer to Franz Nicolay’s other band as “circus music”.
If you get the chance to, I highly recommend seeing the Hold Steady on tour. Maybe you’ll get lucky and not have to stand next to the rowdy frat boys hell bent on destruction.
2 Comments
At least in Ohio we no longer have to worry about standing next to drunken frat boy waving lit cigarette anymore. I agree about the ME interview - I think it could have been more.
The drunk frat boys were out in full force at the Athens, Georgia show last weekend. One even gave me a nuggie, but unlike 8th grade bullies, it was done with glee. The crowd was sweaty, drunk, and knew every word. Pretty impressive.
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