Get dog costumes wrote:1. Mission of Burma last October at the Cat's Cradle hit the spot, not least because they're one of my favorite bands and I obviously never imagined I would see them play. Even better, they (except Prescott) hung around for a long, long time after the show, making sure everyone who wanted to meet them had a chance.
3. British Sea Power in March 2004...this is before they went pop, and there was amazing guitar soloing, funny costumes, and the guitarist literally swung from the pipes on the ceiling. Here's to you, Go Room 4.
These WERE great shows. I was at both of them at was blown away.
I've never seen a bad Burma show. The Cradle show was topped for me by Irving Plaza, NYC, because it was their second show re-formed, and it seemed like it would be one of maybe 5 ever, and 9:30 in DC, because my friend knows Clint, and we got to hang out with the band. Roger was doing the set list and couldn't think of another song. I said "I really like Playland" and he said "good idea!" They played it in the second set (probably would have anyway) and it felt cool.
Top 15, in no order:
Kraftwerk, 9:30 Club, last year. Those old guys are *still* cutting edge.
Any of last year's Gang of Four shows.
Steve Wynn and the Miracle 3, Howlin' Wolf/TapeOpCon, 2004
Six Finger Satellite/Shellac, some little playhouse in NYC, mid-90s
Of Montreal, Knitting Factory, CMJ 2005
The Church, UNC Memorial Hall, Fall of 1988
My Bloody Valentine, UNC Memorial Hall, 1991(?)
Slint, London UK, March 2005
Pavement, Cat's Cradle, "test" show while recording Brighten the Corners. Played mostly with Mitch Easter's gear - Orange amps, and vintage guitars.
Cheap Trick, Cat's Cradle, 2001 (They still got it)
Polvo, Cat's Cradle, New Dark Age era
Sonic Youth, Cat's Cradle, Daydream Nation era
Sea and Cake, Cat's Cradle, Oui tour
Archers of Loaf, any show, any venue
Super Furry Animals, Radiator Tour (a complete surprise - they were great)
-A
ENVY FACE.