Evan Dando is a living legend to those of us who grew up in the ‘80s and ‘90s when alternative rock had just been given a name. Some diehard fans of the Lemonheads still think it’s blasphemous that he has been and still is recording and touring under the name “Lemonheads”, even though he’s the only original member still with the band. However, for anyone who is a fan of hits such as “Into Your Arms” and “It’s a Shame About Ray” and wants to hear these live, along with reinterpretations of tunes such as Gram Parsons’ “I Just Can’t Take It Anymore”, you would have wanted to be at the Black Cat June 27, when Dando and crew played an excellent set to an eager audience.
Two acts preceded the ‘heads – D.C. natives Title Tracks and Brooklyn trio Appomattox. From the outset, I could tell Title Tracks was a local band. For one, a lot of people were coming up to singer/guitarist John Davis to say hi and shake his hand. And he was playing the most gorgeous Epiphone electric I’ve seen in recent memory. Let’s just say their set was…somewhat unusual. It’s the first time I’ve seen a guitarist feed song titles to a singer. I’m used to a front man knowing what’s going at all times during a gig. (Maybe they felt it unnecessary for each band member to have their own set list? Nonetheless, the interaction between the two was endearing.) Their set was fine, it just wasn’t particularly memorable. Maybe they’ll be more impressive and less tentative when they have a full album of song cuts to choose from.
If you remember anything from your high school American history classes, the word “Appomattox” should stir up thoughts of the Civil War and General Lee’s surrender. When I asked lead singer/guitarist Nick Gaynier where their name came from, he concurred with my sentiments and added with a smile, “…and it comes from, you know, conflict!” If you like We Are Scientists, I have a good feeling you are going to like these guys from Brooklyn and you should definitely check them out. In his delivery and even onstage antics (translation: exuberant jumping up and down and all over the place and having a good time), Gaynier even reminds me a bit of Keith Murray, if Keith Murray looked more like Billy Boyd. “Everyone’s been so cool here in D.C…and we’ll be happy to play some rock ‘n’ roll for you,” he said to us before they started playing. I always appreciate polite rock musicians.
If I had to assign the band a genre, I think post-punk is the closest to their sound. “Money from 10 to 4” and “Too Slow” were my favorite songs of their set, Gaynier’s vocals and guitar with Dave Nurmi’s bass lines and the driving drums of James Mello all melding together perfectly. The band’s set ender, “Either Way”, was another head-boppingly good time. Appomattox released their debut album A O in April 2008 and hopes to tour all around America this summer, then get back in the studio later this year to lay down some tracks.
Appomattox set list
Rendition
Money from 10 to 4
Spanish Virgins
Too Slow
Speculators
How Could You
Typical
Sparx
Either Way
A little after half past 11, it was time for the Lemonheads. In ripped jeans and stringy, multicolored hair, Evan Dando took to the stage looking to stay true to the grunge-rock era that the Lemonheads became most popular in. Along with Dando, the band comprises Vess Ruhtenberg (bass), Xan Aird (guitar), and Mark Cutsinger (drums). As can be expected, Lemonheads’ hits of yesteryear proved to be the most popular with the audience – “It’s a Shame About Ray”, “Big Gay Heart”, and “Alison’s Starting to Happen”, just to name three. I was a little apprehensive to say the least to see how covers from Varshons, the latest Lemonheads album released on June 23, were going to stand up next to Lemonheads’s classics, and how the audience was going to receive them. Covers like “New Mexico” (FuckEmos) and “I Just Can’t Take It Anymore” (Gram Parsons) slowed the pace a bit but in a good way, showing the versatility of this touring unit. But make no mistake, harder rock ‘n’ roll is where they shine.
Also, take note: this isn’t the Evan Dando show either. Guitarist Aird impressed me with this technique, shredding effortlessly throughout the set, occasionally looking over to Dando for direction or encouragement. His only missteps of the night: slipping on the set list (written in black Sharpie on old newspaper) and falling on his butt, yet somehow not missing a note on his axe; and puffing on a contraband Marlboro. Didn’t anyone tell him it’s against the law to smoke in D.C. venues? In addition to providing the back beats, bassist Ruhtenberg (formerly of Zero Boys) and drummer Cutsinger added backing vocals to Dando’s own.
With just his voice and acoustic guitar, Dando gave us three special treats all by his lonesome – “The Outdoor Type”, “Being Around”, and “Tenderfoot”. The devoted cheered at hearing the opening bars of their favorites, singing along to these word for word. All in all, a very satisfying night musically.
The Lemonheads set list
Down About It
Hospital
The Green Fuz (Randy Alvey & the Green Fuz cover)
My Drug Buddy
It’s a Shame About Ray
Dandelion Seeds (July cover)
Big Gay Heart
Style
Into Your Arms
Why Do You Do This to Yourself?
Pittsburgh
New Mexico (FuckEmos cover)
Hannah & Gabi
Confetti
I Just Can’t Take It Anymore (Gram Parsons cover)
Alison’s Starting to Happen
Layin’ Up with Linda (G.G. Allin cover)
The Outdoor Type (solo by Evan Dando)
Being Around (solo by Evan Dando)
Tenderfoot (solo by Evan Dando)
If I Could Talk I’d Tell You
The Great Big No
Tour dates
Jul 01 – Port City Music Hall / Portland, Me.
Jul 02 – The Beachcomber of Wellfleet / Wellfleet, Ma.
Jul 03 – Maison Des Arts / Laval, Quebec
Jul 04 – Lee’s Palace / Toronto
The Lemonheads: website | myspace
Appomattox: website | myspace
Title Tracks: myspace
