Two For Two
by Superfan - From The Giant Lever.
The Fastbacks played two shows on back to back nights, and I was fortunate enough to witness both performances. The first of the two was held on Friday, March 21 at the Old Fire House in Redmond, WA. While the Fastbacks do not play many all ages venues, this show in particular may have them reconsidering that practice. They played a ferocious 20 odd song set, with songs both new and old to entice the crowd of mostly 14 year old kids. Songs from the set included (not in order):
Seven days
In the summer
Gone to the moon
Hung on a bad peg
On the wall
Went for a swim
I'm cold
In the observatory
I found the star
Set me free
Time and matter
Fortune's misery
Which has not been written
No information
Just say
Banner year
Run no more
K street
While the younger crowd and unfamiliar surroundings caught me off guard at first, the Fastbacks performance was both captivating and energetic enough to make me forget I was standing next to somebody's angry mother. Seven Days displayed renewed verve and ferocity, and the tempos for the songs were completely chaotic. I would be surprised if On the Wall didn't clock in at under 3 minutes (the studio version is just under 4). As expected, the Fastbacks did their usual excellent job.
The following nights festivities were held at the familiar stomping grounds of the Crocodile Cafe in downtown Seattle. This show was attended by many of Seattles most elite rock luminaries, including: Ree Ree and Tulu from Head, Eddie Supersucker from the Supersuckers, Rusty Willoughby from the Dwindles (playing his usual role of troublemaker), John Ramberg and Boyd Remillard from the Model Rockets, Scott McCaughey from the Young Fresh Fellows and REM, Duff McKagan from Guns N' Roses, and Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam (and probably a host of others that I didn't see). It was also the debut perfomance (and a great one, I might add) of Andrew McKeag's (former Uncle Joe's Big Ole Driver singer/guitarist) new four piece outfit, Shuggie (tentatively titled). While the previous nights show concluded before midnight, this 21 and over affair did not see the Fastbacks hit the stage until a little past 1am. Set list went something like this:
No Information
Hung Under a Bad Peg
Fortune's Misery
Which Has Not Been Written
Trouble Sleeping
On Your Hands
The Light's On You
555
I Know
Under the Old Lightbulb
I'm Cold
Stay At Home
K Street
Gone to the Moon
What Will They All Say?
Always Tomorrow
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Riff Raff (AC/DC)
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Time and Matter
Rat Race
This performance was characterized by Seattle's usual barrage of empty beer cups being thrown in Kurt Bloch's direction. He pelted each projectile off his guitar and back into the crowd, and at points took sips of beer which he spat into the audience! At one point Lulu lost her shoe, and Rusty was kind enough to seize the opportunity to jump on stage and assist her in putting it back in place. Another fine performance by the mighty Fastbacks, different from the night before, but equally (if not more so) as satisfying as the night before. Tempos could be placed under the category of: Fast.
