This was a tough day. The show last night was terrific and it was one of those nights where everything just went perfectly. I got off work a little early and we arrived in Eugene about 5:45. There was no pre-sale for the show, so we didn't want to drive two hours and then get shut out. This way we got to the club around 6:30 and got stamped before grabbing dinner at a nearby Mexican restaurant. The show was at Sam Bond's Garage and it was a great little club, smoke-free and intimate. It was a very relaxed atmosphere and all the bands were just hanging out mingling with each other and the crowd. They all watched each other play and didn't disappear backstage.
Steve Wynn was brilliant as always. He was the first opener and was only billed as "Special Guest." He played Portland on Wednesday, opened in Eugene on Thursday, is playing his own shows in Seattle on Friday, and then back to Eugene on Saturday. Opening this show was out of his way, but it was an opportunity to play with good friends. I've posted two live versions (not from last night, though) classic Steve Wynn songs. That's What You Always Say is The Dream Syndicate's classic. Amphetamine is from the album Static Transmissions is almost always the last song of the main set. It is truly a barn burner and a triumphant set closer.
The Minus 5 has been the backing band for Robyn Hitchcock for at least the last few years. I didn't realize this until last fall. MusicFest NW is a 3 day festival in Portland and Jay and I went to see Crooked Fingers, Robyn Hitchcock, and Colin Meloy. After Crooked Fingers, noticed a familiar face standing behind us. It took a few seconds, but we realized that it was Peter Buck, just standing there with a drink. I had to go up and say hello, but how to do it without sounding like a lovestruck fan-boy. We talked about The Minus 5 and I found out that he was there to back Robyn Hitchcock. Very cool. They are always a great show and it is simply great fun watching such pros play and have such a good time doing it. I don't have any live Minus 5 to post, though.
Robyn Hitchcock has always been interesting to me. I've never had much of his catalog, but way back in college, he was always on the radio and was always entertaining. Over the years, I've certainly developed a great deal of respect for him, but the show last fall was the first time I'd actually seen him. He's still eccentric as ever and incredibly charming. He played a few acoustic songs and then The Minus 5 came out. Peter Buck actually played guitar (plays bass in The Minus 5) which was an added treat. He moved over to drums for the final encore. I've posted a live version ofViva Sea-Tac, but this version is different than how I've heard it recently. No piano in the two shows I've seen.
That's three shows this week (Robert Pollard was Monday). Work is really getting in the way of the rock and roll. I'm going to need to use the weekend to rest.
Scott