Friday, 29 Feb 2008
Another great evening at the Pabst Theater last night. Going into the performance I had some reservations that it couldn’t possibly match the Drive-By Truckers last stop at the same venue, but by the time all the empty PBR cans were accounted for I have no problem stating this show topped the previous.
In truth, part of what made the evening so special was watching The Felice Brothers perform their storied tales of adding whiskey to their whiskey and long-forgotten welterweights to a crowd that, for the most part, had no idea who they were prior to their set. By the time the lights went down and the Truckers hit the stage with their bottle of Jack Daniels, people were scrambling back to their seats with Felice Brothers records in their hands. Indeed a perfect bill with a lot of people going home with a new favorite.
Starting their set with a couple of the acoustic driven selections from their most recent album, Brighter Than Creation’s Dark, the Truckers decided to gently warm the crowd before unleashing a fury of fist-pumping rock and roll that, and I’m only guessing here, left many people wishing they could hit the snooze button just one more time. The songs off Brighter Than Creation’s Dark have completely won me over after my initial questioning of its length and lighter numbers. The set list solidified that while Patterson Hood may remain the de facto leader of the group, he’s comfortable enough to stand aside and really let Mike Cooley and Shonna Tucker shine on their penned selections, many of which, especially after last night, have become favorites of mine across their entire catalog. The energy of “3 Dimes Down” was one of the main highlights off the new record, delivered with urgency that drove many the crowd around me to the near brink of insanity - plenty of air guitar.
It’s always true that seeing a band live can resurrect an album. It’s also true that seeing a band live reminds you just why you like them in the first place. My favorite track “Let There Be Rock” from Southern Rock Opera appeared during the encore and hours later still has me smiling, ear to ear, just as I did the first time I played that record thinking, this song nails what seeing live music is all about and all the memories that you retain from the shows you see.
Thanks to the Pabst for another great night, we’re already looking forward to our next time together. Don’t miss your chance to see the Drive-By Truckers this tour, they’re really playing the best I’ve heard them. Once you guys wake up and have some coffee drop us a comment and let us know if you feel the same.
Photos: CJ Foeckler - Please check the Pabst Theater Show Gallery for additional photos coming soon!
Previously: 5 Questions with The Felice Brothers
Myspace: Drive-By Truckers
Myspace: The Felice Brothers
MP3: The Felice Brothers - “Frankie’s Gun”
MP3: The Felice Brothers - “Wonderful Life”
February 29th, 2008 at 9:08 am
It really was exceptional - every time I see them I can’t comprehend how they manage to keep topping the last time! My only regrets: I had to leave before the encore since my buddy had to plow this morning. And it took me two and a half hours to get back to Madison. Still, completely worth it.
February 29th, 2008 at 9:14 am
Ooooh. I forgot to mention the LOOOOOONNNNNGGGGG drive back to Madison as well. Had to crash in Deerfield with my friend because it was pushing 3am.
Worth it? Definitely.
February 29th, 2008 at 9:43 am
Wow, am I tired and hungover. What a great venue. The snowstorm did not help the drive back home.
February 29th, 2008 at 10:02 am
I’ve never seen the lower level as packed as it was last night. And the last hour or so was just one rock n roll anthem after another…it was great to see so many Pabst cans held high in the air.
February 29th, 2008 at 10:27 am
Driving home in the snow was a freaking mess - took almost 3 hours to get back. The drive definitely cancelled out the goodness of the show, which was middling anyway. The Felice Brothers have to be one of the WORST bands I have ever seen. They seemed like a bunch of guys who decided to start a band just to get paid for getting wasted and entertaining themselves. The fake accents and songs of “hard rural living” were a joke. Most everyone near us started clapping when they left because they were leaving, not because they liked the show.
As for the Truckers, the show was okay - definitely my least favorite of any Truckers shows I’ve seen, and it paled in comparison to the last 3 Milwaukee shows (Shank in 05, Pabst in 06, with the Crowes in 06). WAAAAAYYY too many Patterson songs. The sound was a mess for most of the show. I really don’t know what was up with that version of “Sinkhole.” HOWEVER, they brought the rock for ‘Puttin People on the Moon,’ ‘Goode’s Field Road,’ and ‘Shut Up and Get on the Plane.’ Cooley definitely shone through last night. The consensus on the ride home was that we all really miss Isbell and his tunes, if, for nothing else, their ability to provide us a respite from songs like “The Opening Act.”
February 29th, 2008 at 10:49 am
I’m very jealous of this show. I wish I could have seen it!
February 29th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
ryan, how were felice? people gonna come see them for ffree in Madison?
February 29th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
I have to be honest- I’m a big DBT fan and personally, The Felice Brothers really blew them away in terms on energy, performance, sound on a short set that most headliners can’t compete with. DBT came out rough, technical issues really kept me from enjoying the first 20-30 minutes of the show. Vocals, guitars, bass was terrible, were constantly being messed with to the point I just couldn’t recover enjoyment wise from a rough start. I’ve seen bands steer a trainwreck perfectly when technical issues are a problem, the Replacements, 97s, Pavement- but the Truckers had no steer on last night. It’s the first time I’ve been let down by the band live, but, I left knowing I got my moneys worth from the Felice Brothers.
February 29th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
Definitely noticed some sound issues towards the beginning as you guys have pointed out, but it seemed straightened out to me from there on out.
Dave, glad you enjoyed the Felice Brothers and hope you picked up their record if you didn’t already have it.
August 1st, 2008 at 1:50 pm
The Drive-By Truckers are really a great live band. Check out their video from voodoo 2006 at DBT at Voodoo 2006
If the link doesnt work paste the following link into your browser: http://www.thetenthritual.com/?content=video