Weekend Rambling

Happy most worthless holiday of the year, Solid State. How was your weekend?

Mine was pretty OK, thanks for asking!

Friday night I journeyed across the river to the revitalized Monkey House to check out one of my favorite new-ish bands, Horse Feathers. Regular readers might remember my review of their show at The Skinny Pancake a few months ago. As such, it's no secret that I have something of a "thing" for the Portland, OR duo. Unfortunately, Friday's show was not their finest hour.

It appears that the band has multiplied. Their masterful debut disc, Words Are Dead, was primarily the product of songwriter Justin Ringle and multi-instrumentalist Peter Broderick. When they came through town in June, they added Broderick's sister Heather on cello. Nice touch.

This time around, they took the stage as a quartet, minus Peter Broderick who is touring in Europe. Sadly, the extra help seemed to do little in making up the difference. For me, a major part of the band's appeal is their remarkably well-blended harmonies. It's the sort of skill that requires a great deal of time and effort to master, particularly given Ringle's unorthodox vocal delivery. The new folks simply weren't up to par and often sounded disjointed/disinterested.

It didn't help that the sound system at the Monkey isn't really designed to handle much beyond your standard garage rock band. Don't get me wrong, I love what Paddy Reagan and Co. have been doing with their little bar in Winooski. They've been booking some really interesting shows and provide a great alternative to the downtown bar/club scene. But something really must be done about that PA. Perhaps we can take up a collection?

I suppose another factor contributing to the overall tone of the evening might have been the conflict between folks who wanted to sit and and wallow in melancholia and those who were more interested in the Red Sox-Angels playoff game on TV. I have to admit, I was torn. Also, I imagine the cheer that went up as Manny Ramirez belted a walk-off three-run shot onto the Mass Pike didn't aid the cause . . .  my bad.

The opener, Johanna Kunin, was pretty solid in that cute-indie-girl-with-an-organ kinda way. Sadly, I missed Farm — see above Red Sox conflict. I am however, pleased to report that St. Albans' finest are taking refuge in the Cave of Legends to record new material. Can't wait to hear it, guys.

Due to an unforeseen scheduling gaffe, I also missed out of The Capstan Shafts show in Stannard. Word is that Horse Feathers and Johanna Kunin got in on that one too. If anyone went and has a report, I'd love to know how it was.

So yeah . . . Happy Columbus Day 'n' stuff.

Comments

[Thirtyseven]

I'm amazed that they're still suffering with that same piece of shit PA system -- that's been over a year and a half now of totally worthless sound for some of the most interesting bands to come through the area?

They're either financially hurting or legally retarded. Either way, I agree: start a collection plate. At least buy some speakers that work, for the love of Allah.

[Tyler]

Well, at least they moved that one speaker out from BEHIND the band...
I've always thought a little stage would make a big difference at the Monkey. Just 8" off the floor would help.
On the Red Sox topic, I played a show up in Highgate with Brett Hughes, Gordon Stone and Steve Hadeka that had great potetial to rock solidly all night, but we couldn't get the Highgate kids away from the TV in the bar (which was in a different room). The 2 people that came with us were a great crowd, though, and I scored some meth.

[Tyson]

The Monkey is undergoing slow changes and has since it changed hands 8ish months ago. If you havn't been in for over a year, then please don't go on hearsay. The sound is a lot better than it used to be (i hear it a couple nights a week). Also, Paddy is doing an amazing job with what he has. If you havn't been in a while, stop by and check a show. I think you'll be suprised.

[Joshua.]

Our first few shows there we simply brought our own. That helped.

But yeah, that one speaker behind the band needs a way to be cut out from the PA - that's the one that always messes things up.

I don't know, I don't think the sound there is bad, but I'm usually on the other side of the stage the few times I make it out of town. (I need to be better about this - I barely sum up the energy to make it downstairs to the Radio Bean for the good music anymore.)

Of course, I grew up on basement punk rock shows, so my definition of "good sound system" is anything better than a guitar practice amp with a Radio Shack mic plugged into it.

But yeah, I second Tyson in that it's getting better. And it's a damn fun place to be.

[Murf]

Here's my take on the Capstan Shafts show:

Friggin' Great!

[Paddy]

Its nice to get feed back on the amount of feedback that happens at the Monkey...ha...ok, moving on:

I thought I'd share some thoughts on the night as a whole.

Farm is an amazing live band and I recommend that the next time you see them on a bill, come early. They play first. They like it. You would too, I promise.

Concerning Johanna Kunin: wurlitzer, casio or no, she was an inspiring singer and keyboardist. Lyrically, her work was beautiful. How beautiful didn't quite hit me until yesterday on a drive home to Albany during which i listened to Clouds Electric a few times over. Her accompanist Jeremy Hadley couldn't quite do the work of the multiple players on the album, but very strongly supported and textured her tunes (he also did a nice job of plugging an upcoming Monkey House/Tick Tick event...mmmm 10/19)

...so she was really pretty...what?

For anyone who has checked out Horse Feathers or melancholy acoustic acts of the sort (Brown Bird is another good one if you haven't), you know that they work best in coffee houses or in your living room...live or on cd. You might also know that unless the band has tapped into ESPN's scrolling text technology for a lyrical play by play, deciphering what it is that the singer is trying to convey can be a serious challenge...especially with the presence of the aforementioned home run cheers.

To address the sound issues that night:

The sound issues involved with acoustic acts in a noisy bar are endless. Having been at the boards and being but a lowly soundguy/night-manager/booking-dude/work-for-nothing musician/part-time dog owner, I think now and thought on the night in question that the problem was two fold:
1) the curse of the too loud guitar amp, and
2)the excitement of witnessing the success of ones favorite sports team

Two phenomena seething with excess 'round the world....ok, I like a good home run, but last time i checked my car insurance, arson isn't covered if when the cops show up to investigate, I'm the one dancing around my flaming honda in a vote for pedro t-shirt blasting Steelers Wheel.

To address the sound issues as a whole:

Worry not fussy people, we are indeed slowly updating the gear. We even have a monitor now. Stop in to check it out, we could compare notes. Also, feel free to give me feedback at any show, we both might learn something.

Dan, thanks for the mentions and support. Sorry i only half smoked your last cig, i should have been inside doing sound anyway.

[colin]

I thought the sound you did last night for SNMNMNM was fantastic! And the new monitor seems to work pretty well, if you ask me.

I understand that it's still a work in progress, but I have to say the there has been a lot of progress.

Thansk for rocking us last night, Paddy!

best,
colin
yow!

ps- that Capstan review and clips over at false 45th were awesome! I was so glad to get to have a window on the show! I wish I'd been there, but I am also psyched to know Dean's playing a few more shows this fall! I'm gonna catch him in Noho at the Popfest! New England on the 11th of November!

[dan]

Geez, I hope my comments weren't taken as a condemnation of the Monkey.

I'm a big fan of the new direction the bar is heading and sound issues certainly aren't unique to the Monkey House. Anyone who's ever heard a band more clearly standing on the street OUTSIDE Metronome would probably agree. And now I've gone and pissed of the Metronome folks . . . dammit!

Sound foibles at "the little club that could" in Winooski have been around long before Paddy & Co. took the reins. Trying to mix bands with acoustic and electric elements is always a pain — I know from experience, dude. Part of it is the room, part of it is the equipment. Rome wasn't built in a day and so on and so forth.

Here's something I think would help: heavy curtains in front of the large glass windows by the stage. It's amazing how much sound bounces around back there, especially when you throw drums into the mix. Just a thought, but it seems to help at the Bean.

In any event, I agree that folks really should go check out the Monkey, like maybe this Thursday for In Memory Of Pluto.

[Tanner]

wait... highgate... steve Hadeka... meth... where did this happen?

[tyler]

In Highgate.

[ben]

the monkey is the only place in burlington besides radio bean that would give us (farm) a show or even return our calls or e-mails. It would sound better to curtain up that window, but one of the cool things about the monkey is that people can smoke and still check out the band. maybe you could only curtain part of it or something. geez i was drunk on friday.

[Murf]

Thanks Colin. I'm glad you liked it.

One other cool thing about the CS show I failed to mention was the audience. It was split between indie music geeks and local senior citizens who just seemed to be out to hear what was going on down at the church. And everyone was completely respectful of the event. I don't think I heard a peep out of anyone during any of the performances.

[Tanner]

i know in highgate, where in highgate.

[Paddy]

So the case is if we get curtains here at the Monkey House, apparently they have to be flame retardant. I was going to bring down my comforter but my boss wasn't into it.

I'm wondering if anyone knows anything about the curtain industry. Where to find such things...i know, the Internet, they've got it all. but i'm thinking more along the lines of old theaters or sound people that have recently upgraded, that sort of thing.

Just trying to get the word out that if you've got some bad ass thick curtains that won't go up in flames, we could work something out...like money, or barter, or theft.

Thanks.

[Nick]

Yo paddy

i think i might be able to help you find some info on the curtains, give me a shout.

[Rebecca]

Am I the only one slightly annoyed that Dan always seems to make a physical/superficial comment about female musicians? Dan, let me know if you ever come see me play, I'll be sure to either doll myself up or put a paper bag over my head, depending on what type of review I'm going for.

Rebecca

[theleduo]

musta been at the super hip new highgate manor- the cool place in highgate. highgate.

highgate,
jb

[Will]

Part of the reason the sound is so-so at the Monkey is the glass windows. The sound waves just bounce off it and the tin ceiling, a combination which does not lead to good acoustics. One thing they could do is put up heavy drapes or something akin that could be lowered up and down in front of the windows......The P.A. is only part of the problem. I've played shows at most of the venues in the area and only after Monkey shows do my ears really ring. I love that bar and I love playing there, but they could do some tinkering for some of the louder acts.

[Tyler]

Yup, Capone's, at Highgate Manor, Highgate, by gum.