Life Aquatic Concert

metro aquatic
Originally uploaded by flyin j.

Well this was a pretty good time. Me, Von, and Bigtime arrived about an hour before the doors opened for the show. It was at the Metro in wrigleyville and the show included the artists: The Safes, The Abstract Giants, The Kevin O'Donnell group with Andrew Bird, and The Autumn Defense. We made sure to arrive early so that we could get free tickets to the preview screening of Life Aquatic. I lodged a question to the promoter before the show via email about how we would get tickets and he was nice enough to send me ten tickets and two official Life Aquatic skull caps. Jealousy was definately expressed to us by people at the show. Bigtime received another piece of film swag at the show. That's right he got an official Team Zissou powder blue speedo. not as wearable as the skull-caps but equally cool. As far as the show it was ok, with some moments of real coolness. The first band, The Safes, were ok. To explain their sound, imagine punk rock being played by very clean-cut white guys in their mid to late thirties.
The second Band was called the Abstract Giants. I though they were definatley the highlight of the show. I definately would like to see them again sometime. They are a hip-hop group that included 3 MCs, guitar, bass, keyboards, drums, a DJ,and a violinist. The MCs were nothing spectacular and the white guy was a little too Eminem-ish, but the band was superb with their stylings verying from straight hip-hop to salsa to dub/reggae to rock.
the Kevin O'Donnell group was ok and kind of a bring down after getting so pumped up from The Giants set. Kevin O'Donnell's group consisted of drums, upright bass, three violins, acoustic guitar, two saxes (alto and tenor,) a flute, and a trumpet.
Lastly was The Autumn Defense. I don't know anything of them except that they included two members of Wilco. Their set started with a few Wes Anderson songs (the highlights being great versions of Love's "Either/Or" and The Faces' "Ooh La La.") They then went into some sad-bastard alt-country that was a little too draining for all of us since it was about 12:30 and we had work in the morning.
All in all the show was alright and a decent time. It would have been more of a let down if it weren't for the free movie tickets.

on a side note: I really don't care for Wilco. Much of the reason stemming from their fans, who did not let me down. During The Autumn Defense's set I heard multiple shout-outs for for Wilco songs and even an "I love Jeff Tweedy." As if these guys don't spend enough time living in Jeff's "alt-country godliness," at least give them the respect of not bringing it up at there show. Save if for the next Wilco show.