The Big Pink @ First Ave

Yes, I realize it's been a while since I last posted on a show. What can I say? Winter beat me into some kind of lazy submission. But Spring has finally come, and brings with it concerts anew! So I went to First Avenue last night to check out The Big Pink, which I couldn't get into when they came to the Entry. Sidenote: Big ups to Emi for hooking us up so sweet!!

The opening band, A Place to Bury Strangers, came on with a fog machine and light show. Their music seemed like a mix of The Editors (vocals) and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (music). Their music wasn't bad, but they had this irritating addiction to feedback, and used it to both begin and end every song. Literally - every song. Not necessary. Save me the noise cause I don't need it. The really strange thing about their show was that it was nearly impossible to see the band members performing, because they had an annoying light show going on, which precluded them from having any lights actually on them. I always thought the idea of going to see a band play was to, well, SEE THE BAND PLAY. Every once in a while we got a bright enough flash from their light show (kind of '80s now that I think about it) to see something on stage, and when that happened, I got to see how amazing their drummer was. His hands are crazy fast and that man knows how to rock a set of drums! He was definitely the highlight of the band. My friend described the light show and feedback squeals as the soundtrack to a "fucked up alien invasion" that could only mean "anal probes" were eminent. Yikes...

Now onto the Big Pink. I was so happy to see they were coming back after their last show sold out, and the singer gave Minneapolis some props for being a great city to come to. Naturally, as so many people in this town seem to have excellent taste in music (I am case in point of course). I'm not even sure how to describe the show, since for most of it I was having some kind of music-induced out of body experience. Of course, they saved "Dominos" for the last song, during which I think I actually reached a state of ecstasy. I transcended the physical reality of attending a show at First Ave and became one with the music. It was amazing. The surprise Smashing Pumpkins cover in the middle of the set was also a near-spiritual experience. If you get the chance to see this band, GO. Or at least check out their album, A Brief History of Love. As one major corporation would tell you, you're worth it.