admin
22 December 2023
On April 14th, 2004, Night Watchman and I descended from the dark peaks of the terrifying Mount Watchman (right next to Snake Mountain) to attend a concert by none other than The Sleepy Jackson. We\'d reviewed their latest CD, Lovers, and both dug it. So a live experience sounded like a swell idea to us.
We showed up a little late, but the first opening act was still playing. I\'m not sure of his name. He was a Scraggly-Bearded-Sitting-Down-Playing-His-Guitar-All-By-Himself-Guy (S.B.S.D.P.H.G.A.B.H.G.). It wasn\'t my thing. He emoted and strummed. The crowd quietly listened to him, mostly seated. It was cold. Watchman compared it to a meat locker. Creepy.
Then the horrible, horrible in-between sets setup. I always forget how much I hate this at shows.
Next was a band called On The Speakers. They started off with a \"jam\". Uh... yeah... I hate jam bands. Dicking around forever on one song that only deserves, at most, three minutes of my time. No, thank you. But they got tighter. Some good, solid alt-rock stuff. They had fun. The night was picking up.
Then, more goddamn waiting. I know it\'s something that needs to be done, but I hate it. I told Watchman how much I hated it. He, being a rocker himself, told me that it\'s the most nerve-racking part of the show for the bands, too. Still, I hate it.
Finally, The Sleepy Jackson entered stage left! Fronted by, according to Watchman, either Luis Guzman or Benicio Del Toro from Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas, they began their fun, energetic set with a tune from Lovers. The album has a very eclectic and airy, dreamy quality. While some of that was still on display, The Sleepy Jackson rocks harder in front of a live crowd. The songs weren\'t as delicate, but they still retained the melodic fun, just with some added muscle.
At the end of the show, as he was being pelted with drumsticks from the drummer, Benicio took this Sixties, futuristic-looking thing with flashing lights, put it around his neck, and played it... I think. It was trippy. Then, they all got out front and took a bow. Classy. I\'ve never seen that at a rock show before.
All around, a swell time was had by all.
We showed up a little late, but the first opening act was still playing. I\'m not sure of his name. He was a Scraggly-Bearded-Sitting-Down-Playing-His-Guitar-All-By-Himself-Guy (S.B.S.D.P.H.G.A.B.H.G.). It wasn\'t my thing. He emoted and strummed. The crowd quietly listened to him, mostly seated. It was cold. Watchman compared it to a meat locker. Creepy.
Then the horrible, horrible in-between sets setup. I always forget how much I hate this at shows.
Next was a band called On The Speakers. They started off with a \"jam\". Uh... yeah... I hate jam bands. Dicking around forever on one song that only deserves, at most, three minutes of my time. No, thank you. But they got tighter. Some good, solid alt-rock stuff. They had fun. The night was picking up.
Then, more goddamn waiting. I know it\'s something that needs to be done, but I hate it. I told Watchman how much I hated it. He, being a rocker himself, told me that it\'s the most nerve-racking part of the show for the bands, too. Still, I hate it.
Finally, The Sleepy Jackson entered stage left! Fronted by, according to Watchman, either Luis Guzman or Benicio Del Toro from Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas, they began their fun, energetic set with a tune from Lovers. The album has a very eclectic and airy, dreamy quality. While some of that was still on display, The Sleepy Jackson rocks harder in front of a live crowd. The songs weren\'t as delicate, but they still retained the melodic fun, just with some added muscle.
At the end of the show, as he was being pelted with drumsticks from the drummer, Benicio took this Sixties, futuristic-looking thing with flashing lights, put it around his neck, and played it... I think. It was trippy. Then, they all got out front and took a bow. Classy. I\'ve never seen that at a rock show before.
All around, a swell time was had by all.
artid
2289
Old Image
6_9_sleepy.jpg
issue
vol 6 - issue 09 (may 2004)
section
entertainmental