By Josh Davlin
Sunday night was different as far as my personal mood. I was tired, we got there earlier than I wanted. Neither one of us was particularly into the opening acts (the Quails sounded ok, and I loved their energy, but I think I just wasn’t into it). Plus, we both have this antipathy towards the 9:30 club that is partly due to the overall generic, commercial look and feel of the club, and partly due to the crowds that it often attracts. So that, by the time Sleater-Kinney finally came on, shortly after 10pm, we were both kinda tired and cranky, not to mention crammed in like sardines. But then the gals went onstage and everything changed. It was like a light switch was suddenly turned on and I was transported back to that amazing place where I’m at one with the music and the crowd and my body moves
involuntarily in time to the sound.
One thing I have to say about the 9:30 club – the sound quality is AMAZING. Janet’s drum sound was absolutely ferocious, Carrie’s and Corin’s guitar lines were easily differentiated and sounded fabulous. The vocals all sounded amazing. And goddamit, they put on the best fucking live show I have EVER seen. WOW. I can’t remember ever being so physically and emotionally drained after a show. When we got back to my car and sat down, we both let out this loud moan of relief and exhaustion.
I feel like it’s impossible to put into words just how great an experience it is to see these three ladies onstage. I can think of no band or artist with such power and talent that is also so in tune with its audience, and that gives so goddamn much to its audience every night.
Other random comments: I’ve changed my mind regarding Conan O’Brien: They should definitely do “Step Aside”. This is the closer on their first set on tour and it just absolutely ROCKS! I think it would be just the thing for a live tv appearance.
Janet Weiss is not human. She is some sort of alien who has been placed on earth as a cosmic gift to enlighten us mere humans to the ways of drumming. I bow in supplication to her superhuman talent.
Carrie’s singing has grown exponentially over the last year or so. She’s harnessed every bit of her vocal talent and it’s a joy to hear.
Corin Tucker is just the goddamn cutest human being on earth. The way she communicates with the crowd through eye movements and facial expressions is something else. Oh, she can sing a bit too.
My god, I can’t wait for next Sunday! 3 S-K shows in a week. how did i get so lucky???
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