By Jodi Root
I’ve had the joy of catching indie/alt-rock/hip-hop hybrid mastermind Tim Fite everywhere from New York and Austin to Chicago (well, actually that about sums it up), multiple times in the past few years—last night being my fourth encounter in the past year alone. Fite, who’s been touring seemingly non-stop in support of Anti Records’ “Fair Ain’t Fair,” since its release last spring, was back in Chi for the umpteenth time in the past six months –but this time around he was in charge—headlining. I had been getting used to watching Fite’s endearing attempts to win over various crowds as the forever opening act, whether it was Les Claypool, the Watson Twins, or as part of this last year’s Hideout Block Party—but this was the first time the spotlight truly belonged to him and his partner in crime, Dr. Leisure.
The infamous duo took to Schuba’s stage around 11:00; minutes after Fite had brushed past me sporting a navy jumpsuit, stating matter-of-factly to no one in particular, “I gotta pee.” Upon his return, the now bib overall/suit jacket gentleman got the crowd whistling and roaring in approval with the opening “Gone Ain’t Gone” number “I Hope You’re There.” Fite and Leisure kept the masses on their toes, with the forever colorful AV presentations, various crowd interactions and group exercises (literally—“Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes,” as well as the grunting remix of “Itsy Bitsy Spider,” were just a couple of several examples), and everyone was laughing, singing, stomping and cheering. Good vibes were aplenty.
The set itself lasted roughly an hour, staying consistent with every other set list I’ve caught the past year with the exception of a few additions including a new animated short featuring a not so cuddly finger eating koala bear as well as a track I hadn’t heard before, “Take your medicine, take your daughter to work day, it’s her birthday. . .” Catchy, whatever it was. Other regular staples included: “JoJo Bobby, Stab a Motherfucker,” “Big Mistake”—(which received huge crowd appreciation), “The Garden,” “Clothes,” “Line by Line,” and the super catchy “Burn it Down” (see vid above, you may like, dude on the right side of the cam sure did.) Fans swarmed to Fite and Leisure immediately following the set, and the forever humble gentlemen hung around, posing for photos and saying hi to new friends. It was a spectacular evening and I can’t send enough praises or thank-you’s to Fite for the forever good times.
Previously: Tim Fite Interview
Previously: Review: Tim Fite – Lakeshore Theatre, Chicago
Previously: 5 Questions with Tim Fite
Buy: Tim Fite
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Myspace: Tim Fite
MP3: Tim Fite – “I Called For You”
