Yell and Yell

So you may have noticed that it has been quite some time since my last post. I have been to lots of gigs (Laneway festival, Them Crooked Vultures,which were only Auckland so didn’t really wanna write about them) and also lots of christchurch gigs but I just haven’t been inspired to write about any of them. I guess I’ve been a bit jaded lately. There was a cool party for Brian’s birthday, Squirm and How to Kill were really great, Die Die Die and Health but I just haven’t been enthused enough about any of them to write. I guess I’m a bit of a fascist and I like change… I like bands to have something new everytime I see them or just to play the same thing differently somehow… This is what the bands I play in strive to do, but then we get persecuted for not working through our songs enough and playing new songs too often, not allowing our “fans” to get to know the old ones. Well I don’t give a FUCK. Because it’s more fun for me. That’s all that matters.

BUT

The 3ds blew everyone involved away last night. It was phenomenal.

Street Chant started off. They’re ok. Probably the best I’ve seen them, still nothing to write home about. Great musicians, drummer is really tight and really fast but maybe plays a bit much (for my opinion) I found just as I was getting into the “groove” the drum line would change and I would have to start trying to feel the pulse again. Guitar work is awesome, Bass is cool and solid as, but yeah.. can’t really remember any of the songs. And I’ve seen them about 5 times now.

I had some trouble getting into the Lo-Liners at first. To be honest I was kind of intimidated. These 4 tough looking women on stage… Just dominating their instruments. But after about 2 songs I “got it” and enjoyed most of the set. Can’t really recall any of the indivdual songs. But just enjoyed watching and listening to the sludgy kind of riffs (a little bit Batrider esq, sorry for the women to women comparison.)

The 3ds

woah woah woah

I saw these guys at Laneway festival (basically the only reason I went up) and to be honest was a little bit disappointed. I guess they were quite nervous and the conditions must have been horrible (big stage, bad sound, first gig in years, shitty echo and the bunnymen eating into their time etc.) But tonight made it all worth while. I guess because I got to see a bad set (IMO) and an amazing set I’ve had the whole 3ds experience. I was front row right in front of Dave Saunders and his amp but was also lucky enough to have Dave Mitchells amp pointing straight at me. Usually I wear ear plugs but for the 3ds this is sacrilege. The guitars just penetrated… “twin guitar hysteria” They played all the hits of course! Apart from spooky… but hey I forgive them. Hey Seuss was incredible. Venus Trail was mind blowing. Just something about hearing two guitars playing seperate riffs (both amazing) and then meeting for one moment every few bars is special. Everyone had huge smiles on their face. The sound was great! A few technical issues but they dealt with them very well.

Dave Mitchell is king. They have honourary (sp) doctorites (Sp) I’m gonna reccommend to the queen that he gets one. Is she married? I guess if they hooked up he would kind of be king. But he doesn’t need an official title for me. He will always be my king. Those of you who know me will know that I more than regularly wear a 3ds tshirt with some of Dave’s artwork on it. I wore this last night.. bit of a fanboy, but I am a fanboy. What was also amazing was to see so many of my musical heroes in the front few rows going absolutely gaga over the 3ds, people who are usually on the stage with people going absolutely gaga for them. They are legendary and for good reason. To have such an influential band like Die Die Die bend at the knees in the front row over them must mean something.

This whole write up has been a bit iffy. But I just have too many things to say about this gig. Only downside was the turnout. It was big but nowhere near as big as it should be for such a magical band. But your loss really.