Back and Forked

Day One:

There was no way I was going to pay an extra fifteen bucks to see some has beens run through old records I’ve never heard or don’t like much. That Public Enemy record is ok but the beats are kind of fast and the production sounds messy. Though I don’t disagree with the political lyrics I am not looking to rap music to shape my political insights just give me something to nod my head to or stories of urban life and bravado with some good beats. Mission of Burma’s new stuff on Matador is ok but their old records don’t do it for me. As far as Sebadoh I prefer the Dinosaur Jr. I have heard but not by much plus I hear that Sebadoh suck live. I am going to use that extra money to buy some trip instead just need to decide what day I want to eat it.

I was a bit worried about the rain but was excited to see Mission of Burma again. Fortunately the rain stopped before we got out of the car. Though Vs. is not their best in my opinion they are great live and by themselves made a previous trip to the festival worth it. That has been my experience the last two times I have come to Pitchfork that one set that makes the whole trip worth it and the rest sweet toppings. It was MOB one year and Sonic Youth’s Daydream Nation set last year.

We were running a bit late and missed some of the opening songs which we could hear making our way to the park. Fortunately they played a few songs before starting Vs. They sounded great though they seemed to be concentrating a lot on the songs which prevented their energy level from matching what I had witnessed last time and even started the wrong song once before realizing it was not the next track on the record. Bob Weston handled the tape-loop manipulations and what not from a sound tent in the middle of the crowd. They finished the record and that was it. I was hoping for some tracks from The Obliterati but that will wait for the next time I see them.

I was hoping Sebadoh would be as good as the recent reunion show I saw at home. They played about 2 and half hours and included songs from after Eric Gaffney left the band , which arguably are some of their best. The selection of Bubble and Scrape as the record to recreate was not ideal but I was looking forward to it. Sebadoh managed to live down to their older reputation of being a sloppy live act whose internal animosity was palatable to the audience and took away rather than adding to the music. Having to go through the running order meant frequent 1 to 3 minute breaks between songs filled with less than entertaining on stage banter while they switched and tuned/retuned instruments. I left before the end of their set to get a beer before PE’s set. The best part was when an audience member yelled to Lou, “Play that song that makes you cry” which if you know Sebadoh can be any of many. Eric still played the role of rock musician to a “T”.

I was most skeptical and hopeful for the Public Enemy set. I never had a chance to see them in their hay day (IE with Termintaor X) and like many others PE and specifically It Takes a Nation of Million To Hold Us Back sparked my interest in rap/hip-hop. The wild card was how Flavor Flave would perform and go over now that he was this millennium’s Step and Fetch-It courtesy of VH1.

The Bomb Squad started by playing a set of dub tracks and then PE came on to the familiar sirens of the opening intro track. I could not see Flavor Flave but could hear him which was troubling. He finally appeared for the 2nd track chastised by Chuch D for his tardiness. They proceeded to pull off playing the rest of the record and proving the music and message could still have an impact considering the size of the crowd and reaction. I was slightly disappointed they removed the piano sample from Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos but it was a small beef. They played on past the curfew and the last song on the record. Though they went the medley route which is why I usually avoid going to rap shows the song selection from Fear of Black Planet to their last single was good. The crowd did boo Flavor when he mentioned his reality show and he in turn chastised them for booing his success no matter how dubious.

Day Two

My friends were either too hung over or still wasted from Friday night so I went to the festival by myself early despite the rain. There was some eastern European Orkestar playing when I got there that were all right but it got too world music for my taste plus I was just wasting time until Jay Reatard came one. I found an isolated place to smoke (though it seems you can smoke anything wide open as long as you are not in front of a cop or security person) and made it to the main stage. Jay Reatard ripped it up as expected though it was not as energetic as the last time I saw him at a club plus it was daylight so I doubt he had a chance to get properly fucked up before the show but who knows. I decided to go check out Caribou though they are kind of boring while I waited for Fuck Buttons and the acid to kick in.

Half of our band of four either were not going to the festival today or were planning on attending later due to other obligations. Because of the rain we decided to head in late not sure how the rain would effect our enjoyment of the day. As we entered we could see/hear Jay Reatard do his garage rock shtick. I honestly don’t know what the fuss is about but then I never really like the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion either. I wanted to see Caribou which had been recommended to me by several friends with discerning and similar tastes and my friend wanted check out a Hawk and a Hacksaw which I hoped meant someone was going to be playing a saw. Unfortunately this was not the case though they were pleasant enough if not forgettable.

Caribou on the other hand lived up to my friends’ recommendations and then some. They have a great pop droning psychedelic sound executed by excellent musicians. They are led by Dan Snaith who used to record as Manitoba. I believe in the studio he records most of the instruments. He traded off between synths, guitars and as a second drummer. This was the first sighting of what would be on ongoing thread in a majority of the performers, extraneous percussion. I will make sure to not miss their live show next time they tour as I hear they have a great light show that compliments them well.

The on and off rain finally stopped which was good as the corresponding poncho on poncho off game was getting tired as was the feeling of being a steamed vegetable. The rain had caused some mud to appear and the requisite idiots/free spirits to play and cover themselves in it. An hour or so after it appeared the rain would stay gone in any meaningful quality volunteers started laying out plywood sheets, sawdust and mulch to the muddiest parts to allow those that wanted to not get covered in mud the opportunity. Early the next day saw a continued effort to drain the standing water in front of the concession area. These efforts are an example of some of the many reasons this is reviewed as one of the best run festivals. Cheap water, high quality, reasonably priced and varied concessions and capped daily attendance are some others. Over the years they have added concessions stands and port a potties in response to attendants’ complaints/suggestions.

Caribou sounded better than I thought but that may have been the acid kicking in. Since the stage with Fuck Button was running late I checked out some of Fleet Foxes. Usually hippy dippy stuff like theirs is not my thing but this afternoon was different. Again it could have been the drugs but their harmonies sounded sweeter and more whole live proving there were no vocal tricks used in the studio. It got really quite during their set which was weird at a festival full of people. At least I didn’t hear anything which started freaking me out to I headed over to see Fuck Buttons.

Next up was Fuck Buttons which I had only recently started listening to but whose record Street Horrrsing quickly grew on me. I expected them to quite the contrast to the Fleet Foxes set which I had enjoyed right before. I really like the Fleet Foxes EP and was happy to hear their harmonies were the real deal and will make sure to check out the full records just released. I am not a big electronic music fan but occasionally something will cross my radar I enjoy. The Fuck Buttons record reminds me of one of my favorite records, No Pussyfooting. They take simple looped samples and layer then on building and building throwing in odd sounds and heavily distorted vocals which comprise their sonic pallet. Unfortunately electronics laptop acts are usually boring live unless augmented by visuals, smoke, etc. Their set was enjoyable and they put in some effort to not just stand and hit buttons. They brought out a floor tom which they banged on for percussion and traded off on ‘vocals’ which looked to be feeding through an old fischer price tape recorder. I also thought I saw a gameboy being used which I thought was great. They also had a cool laptop cover. I expect their set at the ATP festival in NY this September to fill in some of the stuff I felt missing like a louder sound and some visuals. My friend who was not familiar with them enjoyed the set.

Fuck Buttons blew my mind so I had to find a tree to sit under after to catch my snap. I wanted to catch some of Dizzee Rascal but when I got over there I had a harder time than usual understanding the lyrics because of his accent. I wandered around the merchandise booth, craft fair, record fair and poster convention which all had cool stuff. I had the best lemon/lime paleta ever and headed over to hear what all the fuss was over Vampire Weekend.

As expected Vampire Weekend’s set colored me unimpressed. I had only heard a few of their songs before and found them quite forgettable. The upper West Soweto sound is nothing to write home about though I guess I can understand their appeal to the indie crowd who maybe unfamiliar with any non western sounds they have not been beat over the head with. Though the point was argued they were different acts not to be compared, Extra Golden’s set was a much better representation of African pop inspired songwriting. Though not a revelation Extra Golden’s set was tight and enjoyable enough to make me seek out their recorded material.

I got up close to check out !!! who I never heard but read a lot about. The three songs I heard were ok but I did not find them as infectious as those around me dancing like crazy. They are spirited performers but just did nothing for me. I headed over to see Atlas Sound forgoing the earnest rocking of the Hold Steady, another group who I think are all right but others seem to really enjoy.

Though I knew Atlas Sound was Deerhunter’s Bradford Cox’s side project I thought it was a band and not just him. I believe he only recently started playing this material solo and mumbled something about it before starting to play guitar in front of a table with I am assuming a sequencer and a keyboard. I really like the Atlas Sound record Let The Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel and Bradford was able to pull it off by himself. I cannot wait for the new Deerhunter record but in the meantime will have to check out his blog to see what he has been recording lately.

The Atlas Sound set was cool though I wished I had seen some shows with the Atlas Sound Group. Didn’t matter because Brad’s songs are so good they sound just fine when it is only him playing it. Plus he looks healthier than last time I saw Deerhunter.

No Age were not as good live as I hoped but played well enough to make me want to hear more. It is always hit or miss with lo fi bands but I really liked their last record Nouns. Being associated with a scene usually doesn’t bode well either but they represented the scene surrounding the Smell club in LA well. Their set was high energy and a little sloppy but that served the music. I would imagine seeing them in a club would make it more enjoyable. Fellow Smell scenesters from Abe Vigoda joined them onstage.

No Age were great but not as good as when I saw them at that warehouse party with everyone crowded around them. I thought I heard one of Panda Bear’s solo songs coming from the Animal Collective stage so I ran over there. Their light show was cool. They played one song I have not heard of recent bootlegs so it must be another unreleased new song but who knows with all the stuff they put out.

I could hear a Panda Bear solo track (Comfy in Nautica) which dragged me from No Age’s set. This was the third time in a little over year I have seen Animal Collective so I thought I would maybe be bored. This was not the case. For some reason they seem to inspire child like abandon in their crowds which are surprisingly a diverse group. Almost visible was the usual cycle of reactions of those seeing them live for the first time. It is a process of being disappointed they don’t sound like they did on Feels or Sung Tongs leading to discovering what they are producing is a proto-percussive sound including their voices as samples that though not immediately arresting eventually grows into a hypnotic trance. Plus Panda Bear whales on drum pads and actual snares and toms to add the extra percussion that is big with the kids these days.

I got lost trying to get home and could not find my friends. I spent most of the night wandering around which was probably not the best thing in my condition but still fun. I found enough money in my pocket to get a cab back to my friend’s place and found them still up and partying.

Hanging out the back porch of our host’s house was the best way to recap all we had seen each day and get to know each other better. Funny how the older you get the less you need visceral/chemical stimulus to make a evening memorable. In my case the font of visceral and chemically induced stimuli and memories should last me for quite a while.

Day Three

Though I was mistaken as to the amount of players in Mahjongg their set was quite enjoyable. They did manage to merge a dancey vibe with prog elements I quite enjoyed. They also had a cool laptop cover and guy hitting a tom for extra percussion.

Times New Viking sounded good and noisy. My head was hurting from drinking PBR all night and morning but I needed something to help me catch a few hours of sleep. Sleep is what I wanted to do hearing the Dirty Projectors. Someone should kick their asses for ruining Black Flag songs. Thank god for Boris who washed that crap out of my ears.

We endured a few songs by the Dirty Projectors. Though I enjoyed the concept of re-imagining Black Flag songs the recorded end result was not as appealing. Live it was more fey and annoying than recorded. Watching Tim from Les Savy Fav giving massages was more interesting.

This year’s token metal act was Boris who were much better that last year’s entry Mastadon. Whereas Mastadon’s set was all right Boris’ set lived up to the expectations of the first large crowd of the sunny and hot day. The use of a gong , ebow, double necked guitar as well as watching their diminutive female bass player play fiercely in front of amps twice her size all added to their metal cred which lives up to being named after a Melvin’s record.

Boris shredded enough said. Once of the best metal bands today.

Another blog buzz band was Health who are also from The Smell scene in LA. I was not too familiar with them but they came recommended via some snot nosed punk kids in a local punk noise outfit who are entertaining. A new acquaintance of mine perfectly described them as having all the traits in music he enjoys: energy, noise and rhythm. I quite enjoyed their set and hope their recorded output is not too different from the live presentation plus they had guys banging on floor toms and snares amongst other things despite having a really good drummer who played like Animal.

Health were so good. They were the one Smell band I had yet to see live and they did not disappoint. They were a good warm up for Les Savy Fav. Tim wore a one leg spandex one piece and put on a cloak and Sherlock Holmes cap before climbing into a trash can that was hoisted above and over the crowd. He was yelling he was Oscar the grouch the whole time. Classic Les Savy Fav.

I went over to check out King Khan and the Shrines who played a set of straight ahead garage rock and rockabilly tinged set. He is an energetic front man whose uniformed band included strong horn players and a cheerleader. Best quote from the crowd, “I saw King Khan’s nuts!”.

I caught M Ward’s boring set via the monitors while I picked out a good spot for the The Dodos. Their record Visiter is one of my favorites this year. It mixes simple song writing with folk aesthetics and adds percussive elements and sonic flourishes. This was probably one of the largest crowds they have played to and seemed to go over well but to be honest I did not notice as I was too into silently signing along and doing by version of dancing/jumping along to the music. I was glad to hear my new acquaintance enjoyed them enough to pick up the record. They also had some aluminum inverted drum they used for added percussive flair.

I went over to catch Ghostface Killah & Raekwon. Though nothing can compare to the whole Wu Tang Clan together they put on a good set that kept my head moving. I made my way over to Spiritualized to see what the fuss was about. My friend’s older brother who got us the trip said that they were one of his favorite bands and really psychedelic. Usually when some old fart says that it means noodling guitar solos and songs about space or fairies. These guys weren’t half bad despite all the Jesus references I heard.

After a quick beer run I ran back to keep the good spot to see Spiritualized. I recognized some of their numerous lights already set up during the Dodos’ set but wondered why since they would playing well before dark. I forgot about that until I saw some rotating about in time to the music guess they wanted to practice queues, etc. As always Spaceman and company played a great set with songs from the new records Songs in A&E as well as from Lazer Guided Melodies and Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space. I cannot wait to see them and their light show at home in a smaller venue in September.

I tried to catch some of Bon Iver who I had a keen interest in seeing but could not find a decent spot to see and hear. To say Dinosaur Jr. was boring was an understatement. I have seen them since they reunited and thought they played well but I think that was all I wanted to hear from them for while. Their newer material is basically picking up where they left off in the 90′s and their stiff stage presence doesn’t help. I has similar problems with Spoon. The last few times I have seen them live were OK but their newer recorded stuff doesn’t hit me like their older tunes. I think I saw them at small clubs too many times to ever enjoy them as much on a larger stage.

I wandered around but could not stand any of the acts that were playing and Cut Copy were late getting there. I heard they played during Spoon’s set but I had left already. Next year I maybe will go to Bonaroo instead since I hear there are more bands and drugs but I don’t know if I or any of my friends can afford it. Depending on the line up next year I may be back.

As expected I had a great time with the added bonus of being able to share it with old and new friends. Almost certain I will be back next year as I expect the line up will be as good if not better than this year.

Blurry Photo Credits: Me and I filched one from Flickr and one from Pitchfork.

Thanks for the guest posting spot it was a much better than doing work.